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.
For UK investors exploring options between Saxo and Bestinvest, both platforms offer share and ETF trading to suit a range of investment strategies. However, Saxo stands out with its extensive offerings, including CFD trading and access to corporate and government bonds, while Bestinvest provides a more traditional set of investment opportunities, such as funds and investment trusts, along with advisor services that Saxo lacks.
According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Saxo is top-rated for investment choices, securing a 5-star rating and a pristine #1 ranking out of 18 brokers. In contrast, Bestinvest, though commendable with a 4.5-star rating, is ranked #10. This distinction makes Saxo particularly attractive for those seeking a comprehensive investment platform without the need for crypto trading or spread betting.
| 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 |
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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When comparing the trading tools offered by Saxo and Bestinvest, UK readers will find notable differences in their charting features and market data provision. Saxo stands out by offering an extensive range of 20 drawing tools and 64 technical indicators, outpacing Bestinvest's 9 drawing tools and 36 indicators. Both platforms allow users to add notes to charts and provide browser-based platforms for easy access. However, Saxo takes the lead with its capability to add both index and stock overlays to charts, whereas Bestinvest only supports stock overlays.
Additionally, Saxo offers real-time market data, an edge for those seeking immediate market insights, while Bestinvest does not provide this feature. Both platforms enable setting alerts for stock price updates, making it easy to stay on top of market movements. Despite both lacking display options for corporate events directly on charts, Saxo's broader range of features and real-time data positioning may appeal more to those seeking a robust trading experience.
| 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 choosing between online brokers Saxo and Bestinvest for your retirement accounts in the UK, you'll find both offer a comprehensive suite of options. Saxo provides Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP), catering to those seeking flexible retirement planning and tax-efficient savings. Similarly, Bestinvest also offers both ISA and SIPP accounts, designed to help you optimize your savings and investment strategy. Whether you're focused on growing your retirement fund or managing your current investments, both platforms provide essential tools to support your financial goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of Saxo and Bestinvest for UK users, both brokers provide iPhone and Android apps, catering to a wide range of smartphone users. However, UK.StockBrokers.com rates Saxo's app significantly higher, awarding it 5 stars and ranking it as the top choice among 18 brokers. In contrast, Bestinvest's app receives a modest 3.5 stars and ranks at #16. This suggests that Saxo users may enjoy a more satisfying mobile experience than those using Bestinvest's app.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
Saxo and Bestinvest both cater to beginner investors with their educational resources. They offer client webinars that are accessible on-demand, making it easy for users to fit learning into their schedules. However, when it comes to specific topics like share trading, funds, and retirement, Bestinvest takes the lead by offering dedicated educational material that Saxo doesn't provide. Both platforms are highly rated by UK.StockBrokers.com, each earning a full five-star rating for their beginner education services. Despite this, Saxo stakes a stronger claim with a third-place ranking compared to Bestinvest's sixth among 18 brokers. For UK investors just starting their financial journey, these differences highlight Bestinvest's broader topic coverage, while Saxo offers slightly superior overall ranking and consistent high-quality learning 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 |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
For UK investors interested in market research, both Saxo and Bestinvest provide comprehensive resources. They each offer research reports for funds and allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class. When it comes to shares, ETFs, and funds research, both platforms deliver insightful analysis. However, Saxo stands out by offering research on CFDs and bonds, areas where Bestinvest does not provide coverage. This makes Saxo a more rounded choice for those seeking detailed insights across a wider range of investment types.
| 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 |
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Bestinvest
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Both Saxo and Bestinvest are online brokers that do not offer crypto trading options.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | Bestinvest | |
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| 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) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| 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 | |
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| Review | Saxo Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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