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Interactive Brokers vs Saxo 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

April 17, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs Saxo, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Interactive Brokers
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes
Saxo
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £0
  • ISA: Yes
  • SIPP: Yes

Fees

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, Interactive Brokers 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 - Interactive Brokers would cost £15 per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 per year.

12 trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £36 per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 per year.

36 trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £108 per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 per year.

120 trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £360 per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 per year.

3 fund trades per year - Interactive Brokers would cost £0 per year, while Saxo would cost £0 per year.

query_stats 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.

Investment Choices

For UK investors looking to explore various asset classes, both Interactive Brokers and Saxo offer a wealth of options. Interactive Brokers provides opportunities in share trading, cryptocurrency, ETFs, CFDs, funds, corporate and government bonds, and investment trusts. Similarly, Saxo caters to investors with a diverse selection, also offering share trading, ETFs, CFDs, funds, corporate and government bonds, and investment trusts. Both brokers have been highly rated by UK.StockBrokers.com, each earning a perfect 5-star rating for their vast range of investment choices.

When viewing the rankings from UK.StockBrokers.com, Saxo edges out Interactive Brokers, holding the top spot out of 21 for investment choices, whereas Interactive Brokers is ranked just behind at number two. Despite the competition, both platforms stand out in facilitating an extensive array of investment options for UK traders, making them appealing choices for those seeking to diversify their portfolios.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
Saxo logoSaxo
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info Yes Yes
ETFs info Yes Yes
Funds info Yes Yes
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes Yes
Investment Trusts info Yes Yes
Spread Betting info
Crypto Trading info Yes
Advisor Services info
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars

Featured Offers


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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.

Trading Tools

When it comes to trading tools offered by Interactive Brokers and Saxo in the UK, there are several features to consider. Interactive Brokers excels in charting capabilities, offering the ability to display corporate events such as earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts. Saxo, however, does not provide this feature. In terms of charting tools, Interactive Brokers provides a more extensive selection with 80 drawing tools compared to Saxo's 20. The platform also offers a wider range of technical indicators, with 96 available, compared to Saxo's 64. Both platforms allow users to add notes, index overlays, and stock overlays to charts, enhancing the analytical experience.

For those who prefer web-based trading, both Interactive Brokers and Saxo offer browser-based platforms, ensuring flexibility and ease of access. When it comes to keeping track of stock movements, both brokers support creating alerts for stock price updates, which is a valuable tool for active traders. While Saxo provides real-time market data, Interactive Brokers’ real-time data offering is not specified. Overall, while both platforms offer comprehensive tools, Interactive Brokers stands out with its extensive charting features, making it a compelling choice for traders who prioritize in-depth analysis.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
Saxo logoSaxo
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 96 64
Charting - Drawing Tools info 80 20
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Display Corporate Events info Yes
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes

ISAs and SIPPs

When comparing online brokers Interactive Brokers and Saxo for UK investors interested in retirement accounts, both platforms offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). This means that whether you choose Interactive Brokers or Saxo, you will have access to tax-efficient saving options that can help you plan for your retirement by allowing you to invest in a wide range of financial markets. Both companies provide these essential accounts, enabling you to make informed decisions on where best to build your retirement savings. With both brokers offering these key investment vehicles, your choice depends on other personal preferences and additional services each broker provides.

Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.

Mobile App

For UK investors seeking a mobile trading platform, both Interactive Brokers and Saxo offer convenient solutions with apps available for iPhone and Android devices. Their mobile applications have garnered top ratings from UK.StockBrokers.com, both earning an impressive five-star assessment. However, when delving into rankings among 21 evaluated brokers, Saxo clinches the top spot for mobile apps, while Interactive Brokers secures the fourth position. Whether prioritizing app features or overall industry ranking, both services present excellent options for the discerning trader.

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.

Beginners and Education

For UK beginner investors seeking educational resources, both Interactive Brokers and Saxo offer valuable options, including client webinars that are also available for on-demand viewing. Interactive Brokers provides educational content on share trading, funds, and retirement, while Saxo does not specify offerings in these areas. When it comes to independent reviews, Interactive Brokers holds a commendable rating of 4.5 stars for beginner education and ranks 8th out of 21 brokers, according to UK.StockBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Saxo shines with a full 5-star rating and ranks higher at 3rd place, making it a preferred choice for those just starting out in their investment journeys.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
Saxo logoSaxo
Client Webinars info Yes Yes
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Education (Share Trading) info Yes
Education (Funds) info Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes
Education 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.

Market Research

For UK investors seeking comprehensive market research tools, both Interactive Brokers and Saxo Bank present strong offerings. Each platform provides investors with detailed research reports for funds, allowing for informed investment decisions. Users can easily view portfolio allocation by asset class on both platforms, ensuring a clear overview of their investments. Both brokers also offer extensive research on shares, ETFs, funds, CFDs, and bonds, supporting a wide array of investment strategies. Whether you choose Interactive Brokers or Saxo Bank, you'll have access to a full suite of research features tailored to meet your investing needs.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
Saxo logoSaxo
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info Yes Yes
Research - Funds info Yes Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes Yes
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes Yes

Interactive Brokers vs Saxo Winner

Which broker is better overall, Interactive Brokers or Saxo? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Interactive Brokers to be a better trading platform overall.

Interactive Brokers is a sophisticated trading platform aimed at confident and institutional-grade investors. For newer investors, Interactive Brokers is more intimidating, though it's worth exploring the platform to see if you could save money or access more investments compared to other brokers.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
Saxo logoSaxo
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile App 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Website 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Interactive Brokers or Saxo?

Interactive Brokers provides crypto trading options, setting it apart from Saxo, which does not offer crypto trading capabilities.

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Compare

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Overall Rating Interactive Brokers Saxo
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile App 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Website 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Review Interactive Brokers Review Saxo Review
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Investments Interactive Brokers Saxo
ISA info Yes Yes
SIPP info Yes Yes
Share Trading info Yes Yes
CFD Trading info Yes Yes
Funds info Yes Yes
ETFs info Yes Yes
Bonds - Corporate info Yes Yes
Bonds - Government (Gilts) info Yes Yes
Investment Trusts info Yes Yes
Spread Betting info
Crypto Trading info Yes info
Advisor Services info
Trading Fees Interactive Brokers Saxo
Minimum Deposit info £0 £0
Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month info £3 From £3 or 0.08%
Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month info £3 From £3 or 0.08%
Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month info £3 From £3 or 0.08%
5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £15 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51
12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £36 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72
36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £108 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144
120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £360 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396
3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) info £0 / £14.85 info 0.4% + 0% commission: £120
Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 info £0 Up to £800 info
Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K info £0 £500 to £1,000
Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m info £0 Up to £1,998
Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over info £0 £1,000
Bonds - Corporate - Fee info 0.1% (for <10,000 EUR) 0.025% (for >10,000 EUR) €20 minimum
Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee info 0.1% (for <10,000 EUR) 0.025% (for >10,000 EUR) €20 minimum
ETFs - Fee info £3 From $1
Investment Trusts - Fee info N/A From $1 / £3 / €10
Telephone Dealing Fee info £25 £50
Broker Screenshots Interactive Brokers Saxo
Website Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Platforms & Tools Interactive Brokers Saxo
Web Platform info Yes Yes
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 96 64
Charting - Drawing Tools info 80 20
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Display Corporate Events info Yes
Charting - Stock Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Research Interactive Brokers Saxo
Research - Shares info Yes Yes
Research - CFDs info Yes Yes
Research - Funds info Yes Yes
Fund Research - Research Reports info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Bonds info Yes Yes
Portfolio Allocation Breakdown info Yes Yes
Education Interactive Brokers Saxo
Education (Share Trading) info Yes
Education (Funds) info Yes
Education (Retirement) info Yes
Client Webinars info Yes Yes
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Overall Summary Interactive Brokers Saxo
Overall Rating 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Charges & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Investment Choices 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile App 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Website 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Review Interactive Brokers Review Saxo Review
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