Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 vs Saxo, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Your capital is at risk.
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, Trading 212 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 - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 per year.
12 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 per year.
36 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 per year, while Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 per year.
120 trades per year - Trading 212 would cost £0 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 - Trading 212 would cost £1 per year, while Saxo would cost £0 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 online brokers, Trading 212 and Saxo offer a range of investment choices to meet diverse needs. Trading 212 provides the essential services of share trading, ETF trading, CFD trading, and access to investment trusts, with a solid reputation as reflected by its 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com. However, its scope is narrower compared to Saxo, which not only covers these areas but also includes trading in funds, corporate bonds, and government bonds (gilts). This broader offering has earned Saxo the top spot, rated 5 stars by UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking it #1 out of 21 brokers for investment choices.
While Trading 212 and Saxo both ensure seamless access to major stock exchanges and investment products, the absence of certain options like crypto trading, spread betting, and advisor services may influence investor choice. Trading 212 ranks at #16, appealing to those who prefer a more focused selection, whereas Saxo, known for its comprehensive range, positions itself as a versatile option for those seeking to diversify their investment portfolio extensively. Consider your investment priorities and preferences when choosing between these two platforms.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | ||
| Crypto Trading | ||
| Advisor Services | ||
| Investment Choices |
|
|
Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of Trading 212 and Saxo, it's evident that both platforms offer valuable features tailored for UK traders. Trading 212 stands out with 27 drawing tools and a substantial 106 technical indicators, making it a strong choice for those who value technical analysis. Both platforms allow users to add notes to charts and provide real-time market data, ensuring traders can make informed decisions with up-to-date information. Additionally, Trading 212 and Saxo offer browser-based trading platforms and support for creating alerts for stock price updates.
However, there are differences worth noting. While Saxo provides the ability to display corporate events and overlay both index and stock information on charts, Trading 212 does not include these features. Saxo also offers 20 drawing tools and 64 technical indicators. These comparative details highlight that while Trading 212 is rich in technical analysis tools, Saxo provides a more detailed chart overlay experience, catering to those who prioritize comprehensive charting capabilities.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 20 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
For UK investors seeking retirement accounts, Trading 212 and Saxo offer different options tailored to your needs. Both platforms provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), allowing you to save and invest tax-efficiently. However, when it comes to Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), Saxo provides this option, enabling you to manage your retirement savings with more control and flexibility. Trading 212, on the other hand, does not offer a SIPP account, making Saxo the choice for those specifically looking for SIPP availability in their investment platform.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile apps of online brokers Trading 212 and Saxo, both platforms provide iPhone and Android apps, offering convenient trading on the go. According to ratings by UK.StockBrokers.com, both apps receive a perfect score of 5 stars, reflecting their quality and user satisfaction. However, in terms of overall rankings among 21 brokers, Saxo takes the top spot at #1 for its mobile app, while Trading 212 closely follows at #3. This suggests that while both apps are highly rated, Saxo's mobile trading app seems to have a slight edge in the competitive landscape.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner investors, Trading 212 and Saxo present distinct offerings for UK users. Saxo provides educational client webinars which users can access on-demand, a feature that Trading 212 does not provide. While Trading 212 covers topics such as share and fund trading, neither platform offers educational content on retirement. In terms of ratings, Trading 212 received 4 stars and is ranked 13th among 21 brokers by UK.StockBrokers.com for beginner education, while Saxo stands higher with a 5-star rating and holds 3rd place in the same ranking. This makes Saxo a top choice for those seeking comprehensive educational webinars, whereas Trading 212 might appeal more to those interested in learning specifically about trading shares and funds.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | ||
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing Trading 212 and Saxo for their market research features, both platforms offer extensive tools to enhance your investment decisions, but there are key differences. While Trading 212 provides research for shares, ETFs, and CFDs, it lacks in-depth reports for funds and bonds, which Saxo prominently offers. Both brokers allow investors to view portfolio allocation by asset class, aiding in diversified investing. With comprehensive research available for shares, ETFs, and funds, Saxo caters well to those seeking thorough insights across a broader range of assets, making it an appealing choice for investors focused on detailed market analysis.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, Trading 212 or Saxo? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Trading 212 to be a better trading platform overall.
Trading 212 offers commission-free share dealing and is a great option for those looking to simply execute share or ETF trades. Novice investors or those looking for more diversification through mutual funds may find better options elsewhere.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
While Trading 212 does not offer crypto trading, Saxo provides access to trading in cryptocurrency, making Saxo a suitable choice for those interested in digital assets.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Saxo Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | ||
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Funds | Yes | ||
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | ||
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | ||
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | |||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services |
| Trading Fees | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | From £3 or 0.08% | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | From £3 or 0.08% | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | From £3 or 0.08% | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | 0.4% + 0% commission: £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 | Up to £800 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 | £500 to £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 | Up to £1,998 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 | £1,000 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | €20 minimum | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | €20 minimum | |
| ETFs - Fee | 0 | From $1 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | 0 | From $1 / £3 / €10 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £50 |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Platforms & Tools | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 106 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 27 | 20 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | |||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | Yes | ||
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | ||
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | Yes | ||
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | ||
| Education (Funds) | Yes | ||
| Education (Retirement) | |||
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Trading 212 | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | Trading 212 Review | Saxo 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