Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing online brokers Saxo and ActivTrades, potential clients may find the regulatory background a key factor in their decision-making process. Saxo, founded in 1992, holds a top-tier position with a Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, making it one of the most trusted online brokers. Notably, Saxo is a bank and holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, emphasizing its standing in financial security and oversight. In contrast, ActivTrades, established in 2001, is not a bank but maintains an admirable Trust Score of 81, categorizing it as a trusted broker. ActivTrades holds 2 Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its commitment to maintaining high regulatory standards.
Neither Saxo nor ActivTrades are publicly traded, which may influence transparency levels expected by some investors. Saxo further distinguishes itself with an additional Tier-2 license, while ActivTrades also holds a Tier-2 license. This indicates that while both brokers operate within trusted parameters, Saxo offers a stronger regulatory framework, potentially making it a preferred choice for those prioritizing security and trust in their trading experience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing Saxo and ActivTrades in terms of commissions and fees, Saxo stands out with its comprehensive pricing strategy, catering especially to active traders and those with substantial account balances. With a five-star rating and a rank of #9 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Saxo offers low pricing for its Platinum and VIP accounts, with EUR/USD average spreads of 1.0 and 0.9 pips respectively as of November 2023. The Classic account has slightly higher average spreads at 1.1 pips, though Saxo minimizes costs by waiving custody fees for clients engaged in securities lending. Entry-level accounts have no minimum deposit, while the Platinum and VIP tiers require $200,000 and $1,000,000 respectively, with opportunities for upgrades through trading volume.
In contrast, ActivTrades, rated four stars and ranked #27 in the same category, delivers spreads that are marginally better than the industry average but not as competitive as the top low-cost brokers. The broker focuses on a primary Individual Account along with Professional and Islamic Account options, each offering the same spreads regardless of tier. While lacking a dedicated account for high-volume traders or specific active trader pricing, ActivTrades does offer a target spread of 0.98 pips for the EUR/USD as of May 2024. Commissions and fees at ActivTrades vary considerably based on the assets traded and are influenced by the platform choice, emphasizing the need for traders to carefully assess their trading needs.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Saxo and ActivTrades, Saxo stands out with a more extensive selection of investment options. Saxo offers an impressive 70,000 tradeable symbols, significantly surpassing ActivTrades' 1,267 symbols. Both brokers provide opportunities to trade forex as a CFD or spot contract; however, Saxo offers a wider range with 190 forex pairs compared to ActivTrades' 49. Furthermore, Saxo allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares, a feature not available with ActivTrades. Both brokers offer securities on international exchanges, like Vodafone shares on the London Stock Exchange, and they also provide copy trading and access to cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
In terms of their investment range ratings, Saxo earns a full five stars, placing them third out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This reflects their comprehensive offerings across various markets and instruments. On the other hand, ActivTrades receives four stars and is ranked at #31, indicating a more limited range compared to Saxo. While both brokers are viable choices, Saxo's broader selection and higher ranking position it as a top contender for those seeking a wider range of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Saxo and ActivTrades both offer comprehensive features for online trading, making them strong contenders for traders looking for sophisticated platforms. Both brokers provide essential benefits such as free virtual demo accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms, and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. They both also support copy trading but do not offer DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, making them similar in these aspects. However, Saxo does not provide MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), whereas ActivTrades supports both, catering to those who prefer these popular trading environments.
When it comes to charting tools, Saxo outshines ActivTrades by offering 20 drawing tools compared to ActivTrades' 15. Saxo also has a more extensive watch list feature, allowing for up to 60 columns, while ActivTrades provides 11. The advanced functionality and enhanced user experience contribute to Saxo's higher rating of 5 stars for platforms and tools, as opposed to ActivTrades' 4 stars. Furthermore, Saxo is ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, whereas ActivTrades holds the #29 spot, highlighting Saxo’s superior standing in the realm of online trading platforms.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Saxo and ActivTrades offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, catering to traders who value accessibility on the go. Both platforms provide stock and forex price alerts to keep traders informed of market movements. However, Saxo stands out with its ability to sync watchlists between the mobile app and online account, while ActivTrades lacks this feature. For traders focused on technical analysis, Saxo offers an impressive 64 technical studies, compared to ActivTrades' offering of 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday charts, with auto-save features for drawings. Additionally, creating watchlists with real-time quotes is possible with both apps.
In terms of user experience ratings, Saxo shines with a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, securing its spot as the second-best among 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, ActivTrades is rated at 4 stars, ranking 19th. For traders seeking a highly-ranked mobile trading platform with extensive features and seamless integration, Saxo presents itself as a strong contender. ActivTrades, while slightly lower ranked, still offers a solid option for those satisfied with its feature set and app performance.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Saxo and ActivTrades provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, making them strong contenders for those needing comprehensive market insight. They also both offer sentiment-based trading tools that show the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs. However, Saxo distinguishes itself with the inclusion of technical analysis tools from Autochartist, which ActivTrades does not offer. Both brokers lack tools and research components from companies like Trading Central, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading. Also, both provide economic calendars to track key global events.
When it comes to research ratings, Saxo leads the pack, earning a top five-star rating and securing the number one rank out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades, meanwhile, holds a respectable four-star rating but ranks at #30. For traders prioritizing research tools and market insights, Saxo appears to offer a more comprehensive package.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by Saxo and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a wealth of materials to help new traders get started. Saxo delivers a comprehensive education suite with a minimum of 10 pieces focused on forex and CFDs, alongside monthly online educational client webinars. These webinars also have a searchable archive, allowing users to access past sessions easily. Both brokers offer over 10 beginner videos on trading topics and more than 10 advanced videos for those with more experience. However, Saxo stands out with its investor dictionary containing definitions of over 50 investing terms, a feature ActivTrades lacks.
In terms of ratings and rankings, Saxo is awarded a stellar 5-star rating for its educational offerings, placing it at an impressive 13th out of 62 brokers in the Education category according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ActivTrades receives a 4-star rating and ranks 38th, reflecting some room for improvement. Overall, while both brokers are well-equipped to educate beginners, Saxo appears to have a slight edge in the breadth and depth of its educational resources.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Saxo is better than ActivTrades. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Saxo is an exclusive multi-asset broker with brilliant research and a superb trading platform experience – as well as a stunning selection of over 40,000 securities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
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Both Saxo and ActivTrades do not provide the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Saxo and ActivTrades, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal is also not an option, but while both allow transactions via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, only ActivTrades offers the additional funding flexibility of Skrill.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | ActivTrades Review |
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| Regulation | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Saxo Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Saxo | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | ActivTrades Review |
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