Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs AvaTrade, 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.
Founded in 1992, Saxo is a well-established online broker with a reputation for trustworthiness. Holding seven Tier-1 licenses, Saxo is considered highly reliable by ForexBrokers.com, earning a perfect Trust Score of 99. Additionally, Saxo operates as a bank, further bolstering its credibility. Although it is not publicly traded, its comprehensive regulatory credentials make it a go-to choice for many investors.
On the other hand, AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and is not a bank, but it still offers a solid level of security in the online trading world. AvaTrade holds four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, earning a commendable Trust Score of 94 from ForexBrokers.com. Like Saxo, AvaTrade is privately held. With multiple trusted licenses, AvaTrade provides a reliable platform for traders seeking safe and secure investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing Saxo and AvaTrade in terms of commissions and fees, Saxo emerges as a top choice for traders who deal in high volumes or can maintain substantial account balances. Saxo offers competitive pricing across its account tiers, particularly for its Platinum and VIP levels, making it one of the lowest-priced brokers in the industry. As of November 2023, spreads for Saxo's Classic, Platinum, and VIP accounts were 1.1, 1.0, and 0.9 pips, respectively, with minimum spreads slightly lower. Saxo's entry-level Classic account requires no deposit minimum, whereas the Platinum and VIP accounts demand higher commitments of $200,000 and $1,000,000, respectively. Notably, Saxo was awarded #1 for VIP Client Experience in 2024 and is rated 5 stars for commissions and fees, securing a #9 ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, AvaTrade provides spreads that hover around the industry average, with a modest 0.9 pips as of June 2024. While its pricing remains reasonable, it slightly surpasses options from entry-level accounts at competitors like CMC Markets and Tickmill. AvaTrade offers a Professional account with competitive spreads reduced to 0.6 pips, aligning with what FP Markets offers. For its pricing structure, AvaTrade is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #12 in the commissions and fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
Ultimately, those evaluating Saxo against AvaTrade will find that Saxo comes out ahead for those who can meet higher account thresholds and desire lower spreads, whereas AvaTrade appeals to traders seeking decent industry-standard pricing without the necessity of a large initial deposit. Both platforms offer distinct advantages tailored to different trading needs and preferences.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.61 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| 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 exploring investment opportunities, Saxo and AvaTrade present different scopes for traders. Saxo offers an extensive selection with 70,000 tradeable symbols, including 190 forex pairs, whereas AvaTrade provides 1,260 symbols and 53 forex pairs. Both platforms support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, and allow cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither facilitates buying actual cryptocurrencies. Importantly, Saxo provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone, unlike AvaTrade, which does not offer this option. Both platforms support copy trading, catering to investors interested in following seasoned traders.
In terms of their range of investments, Saxo is rated more favorably with five stars and an impressive third place ranking by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers. Conversely, AvaTrade holds a four-star rating and ranks 32nd. This distinction highlights Saxo's broader variety and extensive market coverage, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a vast array of investment options.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 53 |
| 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 Saxo and AvaTrade's trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer comprehensive solutions for traders, including free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms. Both provide Windows-based desktop applications and web-based trading experiences, ensuring flexibility and convenience for their users. Additionally, each broker supports copy trading, allowing traders to mimic the strategies of successful investors. However, AvaTrade stands out by offering MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms alongside advanced tools like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which are not available with Saxo.
Regarding charting capabilities, Saxo users benefit from 20 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. AvaTrade also offers direct chart trading but with 13 drawing tools and enhanced charting through MetaTrader platforms. For watch list customization, Saxo provides 60 columns, significantly more than AvaTrade's 7, giving users greater personalization options. While Saxo receives a perfect 5-star rating for trading platforms and tools, topping ForexBrokers.com's ranking at #1, AvaTrade follows closely with a 4.5-star rating, positioned at #13 among 62 brokers. These ratings and rankings highlight Saxo's slight edge in terms of available tools and user experience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 80 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 13 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps offered by Saxo and AvaTrade, both platforms deliver impressive capabilities on their iPhone and Android applications. Both apps enable users to receive stock or forex price alerts and offer watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring that changes are reflected across devices. Saxo and AvaTrade also provide the ability to draw trendlines on charts, view multiple time frames, and manage watchlists with real-time quotes. However, while Saxo and AvaTrade both offer a substantial number of technical studies for charting—64 and 73 respectively—an important distinction is that Saxo's app automatically saves any drawings made, a feature that AvaTrade lacks.
In terms of ratings and rankings, Saxo holds a slight edge. It boasts a perfect 5-star rating for its mobile trading apps, compared to AvaTrade's commendable 4.5-star rating. Saxo also ranks higher on ForexBrokers.com's list, securing the #2 spot out of 62 brokers, while AvaTrade is positioned at #13. These accolades reflect the polished experience Saxo delivers to its users, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing top-tier mobile app functionality in their trading activities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of Saxo and AvaTrade, Saxo stands out with several features that enhance its appeal to traders focused on detailed insights. Notably, Saxo provides daily market commentary and gets its forex news from elite sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. This ensures traders have access to up-to-date and reliable information. Additionally, Saxo integrates research tools from Autochartist, offering a robust technical and fundamental analysis experience, complemented by a sentiment-based trading tool for well-rounded insights. Not to be overlooked, Saxo supports traders with an extensive economic calendar to track global news events. With these comprehensive features, Saxo earns a 5-star research rating and holds the top rank out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, AvaTrade, while still a solid choice, offers a slightly different experience. It does not provide daily market commentary, but like Saxo, it delivers forex news through top-tier sources. AvaTrade shines with a partnership with Trading Central, adding depth to its technical analysis tools, although it lacks offerings from Autochartist. AvaTrade matches Saxo with a sentiment-based trading tool and also includes an economic calendar for monitoring global news. Positioned with a 4-star research rating and ranked #34 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade offers a respectable alternative with unique strengths in its research capabilities, particularly for those who value Trading Central’s insights.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Saxo and AvaTrade provide comprehensive learning materials aimed at helping new traders. Saxo offers a wide range of forex and CFDs content, featuring over ten insightful articles, videos, and webinars, including a monthly online educational session. Their keen focus on education extends to an accessible archive of past webinars and a collection of more than ten beginner-specific trading videos. Saxo also takes education a step further with over ten advanced videos for seasoned traders and an investor dictionary with definitions for more than 50 investing terms. This extensive educational toolkit has earned Saxo a 5-star rating for education.
AvaTrade matches Saxo in offering a robust suite of educational tools, providing more than ten pieces on forex and CFDs, alongside regular webinars and a searchable archive. Their beginner resource collection is strong, with over ten educational videos designed to guide new traders through the basics. Additionally, AvaTrade supports trader development with advanced educational videos and an investor dictionary containing over 50 key trading terms. Although they received a 4-star education rating, AvaTrade excels in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, securing the second position out of 62 brokers, signaling a high level of service in the educational domain.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 AvaTrade. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13.
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
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AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 |
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Saxo and AvaTrade both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, without offering the ability to purchase the actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
When comparing the fund transfer options between Saxo and AvaTrade, both brokers support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, but while AvaTrade offers additional flexibility with options like PayPal and Skrill, 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | AvaTrade Review |
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| Regulation | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2006 | |
| 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 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 53 | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.61 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 80 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 13 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | Saxo | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | AvaTrade Review |
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