Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs BDSwiss, 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 BDSwiss, it's evident that they differ significantly in their levels of trustworthiness and regulatory credentials. Founded in 1992, Saxo boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, showcasing its high reputation and reliability. As a banking institution, Saxo is distinguished by holding seven Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, signifying a firm regulatory foundation. In contrast, BDSwiss, established in 2012, holds a more modest Trust Score of 73. As it is not a bank, it possesses one Tier-1 license and lacks Tier-2 licenses, indicating a moderate level of regulatory trust.
Both Saxo and BDSwiss are not publicly traded, meaning they are not listed on any stock exchange. However, their regulatory statuses could influence potential traders' decisions. Saxo's numerous Tier-1 licenses suggest solid trust and dependability, while BDSwiss presents an average risk profile according to ForexBrokers.com ratings. This comparison highlights Saxo as a more highly-regarded option for those prioritizing regulatory backing in their online trading choices.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Saxo offers some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, especially beneficial for active and high-volume traders. With a commendable track record in cost-efficiency, Saxo presents a range of pricing options. For instance, its EUR/USD spread averages at 1.1 pips for Classic account holders, with slightly lower spreads for the Platinum and VIP accounts at 1.0 and 0.9 pips, respectively. Notably, the Classic account’s minimum deposit is $0, making it accessible to new customers, while the Platinum requires a $200,000 deposit and the VIP stands at $1,000,000. While Saxo primarily earns from spreads in forex trading, it waives fees for accounts trading over 50,000 units, plus offering rewards through its Loyalty Program. Saxo earns a 5-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks #9 out of 62 brokers.
On the other hand, BDSwiss delivers good order execution but faces some competitive challenges with its spreads. The Classic account features a spread of 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which is higher than the average market leaders. However, the Raw account offers a more attractive spread of 0.3 pips with an additional $5 commission per side, culminating in an effective spread of 1.3 pips. For VIP clients, the EUR/USD spread is 1.2 pips. BDSwiss secures a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, placing it at #29 in the ranking by ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, while both brokers boast appealing features for different types of investors, Saxo distinguishes itself with more favorable spreads for high-volume transactions and exclusive features for its VIP clients. BDSwiss, meanwhile, provides effective execution but at a higher cost. Therefore, traders prioritizing cost efficiency and access to exclusive services may find Saxo more appealing, especially given its higher ranking and star rating in commissions and fees.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| 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 BDSwiss for their range of investment options, Saxo stands out with an impressive offering of 70,000 tradeable symbols, dwarfing the 1,081 available at BDSwiss. Both brokers provide forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but Saxo offers a broader selection with 190 tradeable forex pairs compared to BDSwiss's 53 pairs. Additionally, Saxo provides access to exchange-traded securities from both U.S. and international markets, allowing clients to invest in companies like Apple and Vodafone directly. BDSwiss, however, does not offer these opportunities.
Both Saxo and BDSwiss support copy trading, providing users with the ability to replicate the trades of successful investors. When it comes to cryptocurrency, both platforms offer derivatives but not actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, Saxo scores a perfect five stars for its diverse range of investments, ranking third out of 62 brokers. Meanwhile, BDSwiss, with a slightly narrower offering, receives four stars and ranks 34th. This highlights Saxo's superior positioning in providing a comprehensive suite of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 1081 |
| 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.
Saxo and BDSwiss both provide comprehensive trading platforms with a variety of features for traders. Saxo offers a proprietary platform that is available on both Windows-based desktop and web formats, and it also includes the unique feature of 60 columns for watch lists, allowing users to track a wide array of data. While Saxo does not integrate MetaTrader 4 or 5, it supports direct trading from stock charts and offers a robust selection of 20 drawing tools. Additionally, Saxo supports copy trading, making it a versatile option for traders looking for seamless integration and in-depth analysis tools, reflected in its top-tier five-star rating and #1 rank among 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category.
BDSwiss also delivers a proprietary platform available on Windows and the web, facilitating both simulated paper trading and copy trading. Despite offering fewer watch list columns, BDSwiss stands out by supporting both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular platforms among forex traders for their advanced charting capabilities. With 15 drawing tools and seamless chart-based trading, BDSwiss caters to traders who value familiarity and proven functionality in trading software. Rated four stars and ranked #24 by ForexBrokers.com, BDSwiss holds its own as a reliable trading platform with solid features that can suit a variety of trading styles.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Choosing the right mobile trading app is essential for seamless trading, and both Saxo and BDSwiss offer solid options for iPhone and Android users. Both platforms provide stock or forex price alerts, enabling users to stay informed of market movements. However, one area where Saxo stands out is its syncing capabilities; it allows watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and the online account, meaning any adjustments made are reflected across all platforms. BDSwiss lacks this feature, which might influence traders who value seamless integration. When it comes to charting and analysis, Saxo again pulls ahead with 64 technical studies compared to BDSwiss's 30, offering traders a more comprehensive set of tools for decision-making.
Both Saxo and BDSwiss allow drawing of trendlines and auto-saving drawings on charts, as well as easy access to various time frames for better analysis. Real-time quotes on custom watchlists are also available on both apps, offering on-the-go market insights. When evaluating user ratings and industry rankings, Saxo receives a full 5-star rating for its mobile app experience, placing it second among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, BDSwiss is rated 4 stars, ranked 24th, which might make a difference to traders prioritizing a mobile-friendly and highly ranked platform.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When it comes to market research tools, Saxo and BDSwiss both deliver daily market commentary and provide access to economic calendars. However, they differ significantly in other areas. Saxo stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas BDSwiss does not match this level of news provision. Both brokers equip traders with tools from Autochartist, but Saxo lacks offerings from Trading Central, which BDSwiss provides. Additionally, Saxo offers a sentiment-based trading tool, giving insight into market positions, a feature not available with BDSwiss.
Saxo secures its reputation as a leader in research, earning a 5-star rating and a #1 ranking from ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers, greatly outpacing BDSwiss, which still holds a respectable 4-star rating but ranks #24 in the same category. While both brokers refrain from offering research tools from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, Saxo's superior access to high-quality news and unique sentiment analysis tools contribute to its higher rating and enable a richer research experience for its users.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
If you're new to trading and looking to decide between Saxo and BDSwiss based on their educational offerings, both platforms have quite a lot to offer. Saxo and BDSwiss each provide over ten educational pieces centered on forex and CFDs. Both brokers offer monthly online webinars and maintain searchable archives of past sessions, making it easy for new traders to learn at their own pace. For those just starting, Saxo and BDSwiss also provide at least ten beginner-friendly videos explaining various trading topics, ensuring novices are well-supported.
Besides their monthly webinars and rich library of educational resources, Saxo and BDSwiss extend their educational content to advanced traders with specialized video content, a comprehensive dictionary featuring over 50 trading terms. Despite their similar offerings, Saxo edges out slightly with a higher education rating of five stars compared to BDSwiss's four stars and boasts a higher rank of 13th place among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas BDSwiss comes in at the 19th spot. Therefore, while both brokers are excellent choices for educational resources, Saxo seems to have a slight advantage in this arena.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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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BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both Saxo and BDSwiss allow investors to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, offering traders a robust, yet limited, exposure to the crypto market.
When comparing online brokers Saxo and BDSwiss, BDSwiss stands out by offering ACH or SEPA transfers and Skrill for depositing or withdrawing funds, while both brokers provide options for Visa/Mastercard and bank wires, but neither supports PayPal transactions.
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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2 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | Saxo | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Saxo | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 1081 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Saxo | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Saxo | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Saxo | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | BDSwiss Review |
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