Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs XTB, 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 XTB, it's clear that both have strong reputations, but they differ in several key areas. Saxo, founded in 1992, operates as a bank and is privately owned. It commands a top Trust Score rating of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, thanks in part to its seven Tier-1 licenses—indicating a high level of reliability. Meanwhile, XTB, founded a decade later in 2002, is publicly traded, which offers investors a layer of transparency. XTB achieves a Trust Score of 96, bolstered by its two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses, showcasing its solid standing in the market.
Both brokers provide an array of trading services and maintain high trust levels, but Saxo's status as a bank and its extensive Tier-1 licensing set it apart as a highly dependable choice. XTB, however, stands out for those who prefer a publicly traded company that combines transparency with a strong regulatory foundation. Each broker, with its distinct background and regulatory credentials, caters to different trader preferences and risk tolerances.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2002 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Saxo and XTB are notable online brokers, each offering distinctive pricing models and services. Saxo stands out with its appealing commissions and fees structure, especially for active and high-volume traders, earning a 5-star rating and a #9 ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Saxo's pricing is competitive, showcasing average spreads on EUR/USD at 1.1 pips for Classic, 1.0 pips for Platinum, and 0.9 pips for VIP accounts. Significantly, the broker waives custody fees for traders who choose securities lending. Saxo's Classic account has no minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible for new customers, while the Platinum and VIP accounts cater to high-net-worth individuals, offering advanced benefits and exclusive events for VIP members.
In comparison, XTB is rated 4.5 stars and holds the #11 spot for commissions and fees, providing spread-only Standard accounts and commission-based Professional accounts for European and UK clients. XTB's average forex spreads for EUR/USD are reported at 1 pip as of Q4 2023. The broker sets minimum deposits at 250 base currency units, making its services attainable for retail traders. Although the Professional account is not widely promoted, XTB's Standard account offers competitive pricing at smaller trade volumes. Moreover, XTB rewards active traders, granting a rebate ranging from 5% to 30% of the spread, subject to trading volume.
Both Saxo and XTB offer pricing structures designed to accommodate different trader profiles. Saxo excels in offering a tiered account system that provides significant savings and additional services for high-tier customers, while XTB's active trader program offers competitive rebates, making it an attractive choice for those who engage in frequent trading. These brokerages cater to a diverse clientele, with Saxo providing elite services for high-volume traders, and XTB appealing to traders looking for a flexible and rebate-oriented structure.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.00 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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 comparing the range of investments offered by Saxo and XTB, both platforms facilitate forex trading, allowing investors to engage with markets through CFDs or spot contracts. Saxo takes the lead by offering an impressive 70,000 tradeable symbols and 190 forex pairs, whereas XTB provides a more modest selection with 7,184 symbols and 71 forex pairs. Both brokers enable clients to trade exchange-traded securities, including popular U.S. and international stocks like Apple and Vodafone.
For those interested in cryptocurrency, both Saxo and XTB offer options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, although they do not allow for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Additionally, Saxo stands out by offering copy trading, a feature not available on XTB. These investment options have earned Saxo and XTB both high ratings of five stars for their range of investments. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, Saxo ranks higher at third place, while XTB holds a respectable fourteenth position among 62 brokers.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 7184 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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 online trading platforms, Saxo and XTB both offer feature-rich environments for traders. Both brokers provide clients with simulated trading options through free virtual demo accounts, along with proprietary platforms developed in-house. Additionally, they offer Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms, catering to a variety of trader preferences. However, Saxo distinguishes itself with its inclusion of copy trading, whereas XTB does not provide this feature. While neither broker supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade, they both allow trading directly from stock charts. Saxo leads with an extensive 60 columns for watch lists compared to XTB’s more limited 8 columns, offering greater customization and a comprehensive overview for users keeping track of multiple investments.
When it comes to charting tools, Saxo supplies 20 drawing tools, while XTB exceeds this with 32. Despite these differences, Saxo's platform is highly rated with 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, securing the top spot among 62 brokers ranked by ForexBrokers.com. XTB follows closely with a commendable 4.5-star rating and ranks #9. These ratings indicate that both brokers provide well-regarded platforms, with Saxo's offering particularly excelling in terms of versatility and user customization. For traders deciding between Saxo and XTB, both provide powerful platforms, yet Saxo's slightly broader toolset and customization options may better serve those who seek extensive features and a highly personalized trading experience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 39 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 32 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When exploring mobile trading options, Saxo and XTB both bring commendable features to the table for iPhone and Android users alike. Both platforms provide the convenience of stock and forex price alerts, ensuring traders remain informed of market changes. Additionally, traders can create watchlists with real-time quotes on both apps. For customization enthusiasts, both Saxo and XTB apps allow drawing trendlines and viewing various time frames on charts, enhancing analytical capabilities. However, Saxo takes a leap forward with its extensive 64 technical studies for charting, compared to XTB's 39. Moreover, Saxo offers an added convenience feature by syncing watchlist symbols with the client’s online accounts, which XTB does not provide.
In terms of ratings, Saxo shines brightly with a full five-star rating, ranking second out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps. XTB, while highly regarded, receives a 4.5-star rating and holds the eighth position in this category. Both platforms ensure user-friendly functionalities and reliability, but Saxo's edge in technical tools and seamless app-to-account syncing might appeal to traders seeking comprehensive analytics and a more integrated trading experience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 39 |
| 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 XTB for market research, both online brokers deliver daily market commentary and provide forex news from esteemed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They each offer sentiment-based tools to give insights into trading positions, and both provide an economic calendar to help traders keep track of global events. However, Saxo goes a step further by integrating tools from Autochartist, which XTB does not offer. Neither broker includes research tools from Trading Central or companies like TipRanks and Acuity Trading.
In overall research quality, both Saxo and XTB score a perfect five-star rating, reflecting their robust offerings and comprehensive data. Nonetheless, Saxo stands out as the top choice among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, securing the number one spot for research. In contrast, XTB ranks seventh, making it a reliable, yet not top-ranked, option for those emphasizing market research tools in their trading activities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 examining the educational resources available to beginners at Saxo and XTB, both online brokers provide a wealth of material to help traders get started with forex and CFDs. Saxo and XTB each offer at least ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars focused primarily on forex or CFDs. For those who prefer real-time learning, both brokers conduct monthly educational webinars online and maintain searchable archives of past sessions for convenient access.
In terms of video resources, Saxo and XTB cater to both novice and experienced traders with dedicated content for each group. Each broker offers at least ten beginner-friendly videos as well as ten more advanced videos to enhance trading knowledge. A distinguishing feature is Saxo's investor dictionary, which contains definitions for over 50 investing terms, a resource XTB currently does not provide. Despite all these similarities, Saxo and XTB share an impressive five-star rating in education. However, XTB edges ahead slightly in the rankings, securing the 11th spot compared to Saxo's 13th among 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 XTB. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while XTB finished with an overall rank of #7.
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
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In comparing online brokers Saxo and XTB, both do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but each offers the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers Saxo and XTB, both platforms support depositing and withdrawing funds via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, however, XTB additionally offers PayPal and Skrill options, which are not available with Saxo.
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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Saxo | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2002 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 7184 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.00 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 39 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 32 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 39 | |
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | Saxo | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | XTB Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill