Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs Bestinvest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, Bestinvest offers better pricing than Saxo for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - Saxo would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing the investment choices offered by Saxo and Bestinvest, both brokers provide a range of options tailored to suit diverse investment needs. Saxo offers extensive trading options including shares, ETFs, CFDs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts, showcasing its comprehensive approach. While Bestinvest also covers shares, ETFs, funds, and investment trusts, it falls short when it comes to CFDs and bonds. Furthermore, Bestinvest distinguishes itself by offering advisor services, which are not available with Saxo.
In terms of recognition, Saxo shines brightly with a perfect 5-star rating for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com, earning its place as the top-ranked broker out of 18. Bestinvest, while slightly behind, still holds a solid 4.5-star rating and ranks tenth. While both platforms facilitate robust trading options, Saxo's broader spectrum of investment choices and higher ranking may appeal to those seeking expansive opportunities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the trading tools of Saxo and Bestinvest, Saxo comes out ahead in several key areas. Both platforms allow users to add notes to charts and include stock overlays, providing flexibility for traders who like to annotate their analysis. However, Saxo offers an edge with 20 drawing tools compared to Bestinvest's 9, and a more comprehensive selection of 64 technical indicators versus Bestinvest’s 36. Furthermore, while both brokers provide browser-based platforms and stock price alert capabilities, Saxo enhances its charting functionality with index overlays and delivers real-time market data—features that Bestinvest lacks.
Despite these differences, both Saxo and Bestinvest fall short by not incorporating corporate event displays on their charts, which may be a limitation for some traders. Nevertheless, if advanced charting tools and real-time data are high on your list of priorities, Saxo might suit you better. For those less dependent on extensive technical analysis features, Bestinvest still offers a solid trading platform with the essentials covered.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing Saxo and Bestinvest for online brokerage services and retirement accounts, both offer ISA (Individual Savings Accounts) and SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) options. Saxo provides a robust investment platform, allowing users to manage ISA and SIPP accounts with ease and access to a wide range of investment opportunities, making it a versatile choice for investors. Similarly, Bestinvest caters to investors by offering both ISA and SIPP accounts, combined with personalized investment advice and research tools aimed at maximizing retirement savings. Whether you're looking to manage retirement funds independently or with some professional guidance, both Saxo and Bestinvest provide comprehensive solutions to meet your ISA and SIPP needs.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
Both Saxo and Bestinvest offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, making it convenient for you to trade and manage investments on the go. If app quality and user experience are key factors for you, Saxo edges ahead with a stellar 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, reflecting exceptional performance and user satisfaction. Bestinvest, meanwhile, receives a solid 3.5-star rating. When considering rankings among 18 brokers, Saxo clinches the top spot, showcasing its superior mobile app capabilities, while Bestinvest is positioned at number 16. Whether you prioritize high-ranking features or simply want accessible mobile trading, Saxo appears to lead the pack compared to Bestinvest.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Saxo and Bestinvest both offer client webinars that can be accessed on demand, making it easy to learn at your own pace. However, Bestinvest provides more comprehensive topic coverage, offering education on share trading, funds, and retirement, whereas Saxo does not cover these areas. Despite this, both platforms receive top marks for beginner education, each earning a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com. In terms of overall ranking, Saxo comes in at the third position out of 18 brokers, while Bestinvest is ranked sixth. This suggests that while Bestinvest has a broader educational scope, Saxo is recognized slightly more favorably in terms of the overall quality of its beginner resources.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | No | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Saxo and Bestinvest for market research features, both platforms offer robust tools for investors looking to make informed decisions. Saxo and Bestinvest provide research reports for funds, and allow investors to view portfolio allocation by asset class, which is crucial for strategic planning. Additionally, both platforms offer comprehensive research on shares, ETFs, and funds, catering to a wide range of investment preferences. However, Saxo stands out with additional research capabilities, offering insights into CFDs and bonds, features that Bestinvest does not provide. This makes Saxo an attractive option for investors seeking more diverse research opportunities beyond the standard offerings.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Saxo or Bestinvest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Saxo to be a better trading platform overall.
Saxo Markets’ trading platform is highly sophisticated and offers a huge range of international shares and funds. The biggest downside is the cost, as its charges are higher than its U.K. competitors. It's best suited for experienced investors rather than beginners.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Saxo and Bestinvest are online brokers that do not offer crypto trading options.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Saxo Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.4% + 0% commission: £120 | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £800 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 to £1,000 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,998 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £1,000 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | €20 minimum | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | €20 minimum | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | From $1 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | From $1 / £3 / €10 | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Platforms & Tools | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Saxo Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading 212 Review
Interactive Brokers Review
Hargreaves Lansdown Review
XTB Review
IG Group Review
eToro Review
Saxo Review
CMC Invest Review
Freetrade Review
Halifax Review
Vanguard Review