Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs ATFX, 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 the online brokers Saxo and ATFX, there are distinct differences in their histories and trust ratings. Established in 1992, Saxo operates as a bank and holds a total of seven Tier-1 licenses, which are highly regarded for trust. This contributes to its impressive Trust Score of 99 as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ATFX was founded in 2017 and does not operate as a bank. With four Tier-1 licenses and a Trust Score of 85, it is still deemed a trusted choice, albeit not as high-ranking as Saxo.
Neither Saxo nor ATFX is publicly traded. Saxo's strong foundation and longer history, along with its extensive regulatory coverage, bolster its position as a leading broker. While ATFX is a relatively newer player in the market, its acquisition of four Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses reflects a commitment to maintaining trust and compliance. Both brokers offer secure options, though Saxo's higher Trust Score distinguishes it as a more established name in the brokerage space.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing Saxo to ATFX regarding commissions and fees, Saxo emerges as the more attractive option for traders with its competitive pricing structure, especially for active and high-volume traders who can maintain larger account balances. Saxo offers three account types: Classic, Platinum, and VIP, with spreads on the EUR/USD starting at 1.1 pips for Classic, moving to 1.0 pips for Platinum, and 0.9 pips for the VIP account as of November 2023. This scaling of spreads is complemented by a flexible minimum deposit system, where the Classic account now requires $0 to start, the Platinum necessitates $200,000, and VIP clients need to deposit at least $1,000,000 or achieve high trading volumes. Notably, Saxo also waives custody fees for traders involved in securities lending and offers a commission-free structure, with a minor caveat of a $3 ticket fee for traders who engage in low volumes.
ATFX, on the other hand, lacks published average spread data that could provide a clear view of its pricing model, leaving potential clients without detailed insight into its cost structure. Despite this, ATFX strives to attract traders with a simpler approach, though it lags behind Saxo in offering advanced pricing benefits found within Saxo’s higher-tier accounts.
In terms of ratings and rankings, Saxo receives 5 stars for its commissions and fees structure and holds the #9 position among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its excellence in providing competitive trading costs. Meanwhile, ATFX is rated with 3 stars and finds itself ranked at #59, highlighting the significant room for improvement in its fee structures when compared to industry leaders like Saxo.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A |
| 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.
Saxo and ATFX both provide opportunities for forex trading, offering these as CFDs or spot contracts. However, Saxo far surpasses ATFX in the overall diversity of investment options. With a staggering 70,000 tradeable symbols compared to ATFX’s modest 150, Saxo provides a broader spectrum of choice. Moreover, Saxo offers an impressive array of 190 forex pairs, significantly overshadowing ATFX's 44 pairs. Apart from forex, Saxo also gives access to exchange traded securities on U.S. and international markets, allowing clients to buy shares like Apple and Vodafone directly. In contrast, ATFX lacks the capability to offer such services, focusing instead on derivatives.
Both Saxo and ATFX support copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. The expansive range of investments available at Saxo earns it a 5-star rating and places it 3rd out of 62 brokers in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com. ATFX, with fewer offerings, garners a 3.5-star rating and ranks 57th, reflecting its narrower selection. This comparison highlights Saxo's edge in providing a wider array of investment options, meeting diverse trading needs with versatility and convenience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools between Saxo and ATFX, both brokers offer the option for simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing beginners to practice without risk. Saxo distinguishes itself with an in-house developed trading platform, whereas ATFX relies on third-party platforms. Both brokers provide Windows-based and web-based trading solutions, but only ATFX offers support for popular platforms MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which might appeal to traders familiar with these options. Furthermore, both brokers offer copy trading capabilities, though neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade for social trading enthusiasts.
In terms of charting tools, Saxo provides a more extensive set with 20 drawing tools, compared to ATFX's 15. Saxo also excels in its watch list offerings with 60 fields available, far exceeding ATFX's 7. This comprehensive suite of tools and functionalities has earned Saxo a rating of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, ranking it 1st out of 62 brokers assessed by ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, ATFX receives a rating of 3.5 stars, placing it at a distant 61st. For traders seeking advanced features and superior flexibility, Saxo holds a clear advantage over ATFX in this comparison.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Saxo and ATFX offer mobile trading apps that are available for iPhone and Android, providing traders with the flexibility to trade on the go. Both apps include features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and the option to view various time frames. They also allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and support the auto-saving of chart drawings. However, when comparing the apps for overall functionality and advanced features, Saxo clearly has the edge.
Saxo's mobile app is robust, offering an impressive 64 technical studies for charting, compared to just 7 on the ATFX app. Additionally, Saxo permits watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless updates between the mobile app and online account, which is not offered by ATFX. These capabilities contribute to Saxo's high customer rating of 5 stars, and an impressive #2 ranking out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ATFX holds a lower 3.5-star rating and ranks last at #62. This makes Saxo the more compelling choice for those needing a comprehensive trading experience on their mobile devices.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 7 |
| 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.
When comparing Saxo and ATFX for their market research offerings, several differences emerge. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed on the latest trends and insights. However, Saxo stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, while ATFX does not provide the same level of high-caliber news sources. In terms of analytical tools, both brokers offer research tools from Autochartist, giving traders access to technical and fundamental data. While ATFX includes resources from Trading Central, Saxo does not; instead, Saxo supplies a sentiment-based trading tool that displays a ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, a feature ATFX lacks.
For economic updates, both Saxo and ATFX provide an economic calendar that highlights current and global events of interest to traders. Despite some similarities in offered amenities, Saxo enjoys a higher recognition in research tools, boasting a perfect 5-star rating and securing the #1 position out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ATFX is rated 3 stars and ranks #54 in the same category. This variance in ratings suggests that Saxo may provide a more comprehensive and advanced suite of research tools compared to ATFX.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| 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 provided by Saxo and ATFX for beginners, notable differences emerge. Both brokers offer a range of materials including articles, videos, and archived webinars with a primary focus on forex and CFDs education. Saxo, however, distinguishes itself by not only hosting educational webinars monthly but also providing a comprehensive archive of these sessions. This ensures that beginners can access valuable insights at their convenience. While both platforms offer at least ten beginner-friendly trading videos, only Saxo extends its resources to include advanced trading videos, catering to those looking to deepen their expertise.
An investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms is available from both Saxo and ATFX, making it easier for newcomers to understand trading jargon. Despite these similarities, Saxo holds a significant educational edge, earning a 5-star rating for its educational offerings, compared to ATFX's 3 stars. Ranked 13th by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers, Saxo's commitment to empowering traders through education is evident. Meanwhile, ATFX is ranked 28th, underscoring its limitations in providing advanced educational content despite a solid foundation for beginners. Overall, Saxo stands out as the ideal choice for those seeking a well-rounded and in-depth trading education.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
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 ATFX. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
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
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
While both Saxo and ATFX do not offer the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, they each provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing clients to engage in the crypto market without owning the underlying assets.
When comparing the online brokers Saxo and ATFX, both offer Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing and withdrawing funds, but neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers, nor PayPal; however, ATFX uniquely provides the option to use Skrill, which Saxo does not.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Saxo | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill