Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs Vanguard UK Investor, 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, Vanguard UK Investor offers better pricing than Saxo for share dealing.
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 considering Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor for your investment activities in the UK, the variety of investment choices they offer is a key factor. Saxo provides share trading, trading of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and Contracts for Difference (CFD) trading. It further extends its reach by offering trading in corporate and government bonds, as well as investment trusts. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor limits its offerings to ETF and fund trading only. Both platforms do not support crypto trading or advisor services.
The differences in investment choices reflect in their respective rankings and ratings. Saxo is celebrated for its extensive range of investment options, earning a five-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com and securing the top position out of 21 brokers. Vanguard UK Investor, however, receives a more modest 3.5 stars and ranks 18th, indicating a more niche offering suitable for those focused on funds and ETFs rather than a broader range of trading opportunities. Whether your priority is a comprehensive selection or simpler options, these contrasts well highlight what each broker can offer UK investors.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | No |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When it comes to trading tools, Saxo provides a comprehensive suite of features that surpasses Vanguard UK Investor's offerings. Saxo allows users to engage with charts using 20 different drawing tools and 64 technical indicators, while Vanguard UK Investor offers none. Additionally, Saxo supports adding notes and both index and stock overlays to enhance chart analysis, a capability not available with Vanguard UK Investor. Both platforms provide a browser-based trading platform, but Saxo stands out with its ability to create alerts for stock price updates, keeping traders informed in real-time. Saxo's provision of real-time market data further enhances its appeal to active traders.
In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor lacks many of the interactive charting features present at Saxo. The absence of drawing tools, technical indicators, and chart annotation options presents a significant gap for those who rely on in-depth chart analysis. Moreover, without real-time market data or price alert capabilities, Vanguard UK Investor may not satisfy traders looking for immediate updates and detailed chart insights. Overall, for UK readers interested in more dynamic trading tools and data features, Saxo emerges as the superior choice.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
When comparing Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor, both online brokers provide Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making them viable choices for UK investors planning for retirement. These accounts offer tax-efficient ways to manage your investments, whether you're looking to save for the future with an ISA or set up a pension through a SIPP. Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor ensure a comprehensive selection of retirement account options suitable for various financial goals.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing mobile app offerings of Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor, both platforms provide apps for iPhone and Android devices, catering to a wide range of users. However, Saxo's app receives a five-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, leading the pack with its top-ranked position out of 21 UK brokers. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor's mobile app earns a 3.5-star rating and stands at the 19th spot, indicating room for improvement. This makes Saxo a preferred choice for those seeking a superior mobile trading experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginner investors seeking educational resources, Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor present distinct offerings. Saxo shines with its 5-star beginner education rating, positioned as the third best out of 21 brokers according to UK.StockBrokers.com, largely due to its live and archived educational webinars. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor does not provide live webinars, but does offer on-demand viewing, alongside informative content on funds and retirement, areas not covered by Saxo. However, Vanguard's overall beginner education receives a lesser 3.5-star rating, placing it at rank 17. Investors in the UK can weigh these differences to decide which platform best suits their learning needs.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | No | No |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor, both platforms provide research reports for funds and the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class. Saxo goes a step further by offering comprehensive research across a wider range of investment options, including stocks, ETFs, funds, and bonds. Meanwhile, Vanguard UK Investor mirrors Saxo's offerings in ETFs and funds research but lacks detailed insights into stocks and bonds. For those prioritizing extensive research options in their investment journey, Saxo emerges as a more versatile choice compared to Vanguard UK Investor.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | 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 Vanguard UK Investor? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found Saxo to be a better trading platform overall.
Saxo’ 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
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Vanguard UK Investor
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Both Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor do not offer crypto trading options, making them comparable for investors not seeking cryptocurrency investment opportunities.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Saxo Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | Saxo | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | No | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | Yes | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | No | |
| Spread Betting | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | Saxo | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £500 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | N/A | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | From £3 or 0.08% | N/A | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £0 - £250,000 | Up to £800 | Under £32,000: £48 / Over £32,000: 0.15% | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £500 to £1,000 | £375 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,998 | £375 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £1m and over | £1,000 | £375 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | €20 minimum | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | €20 minimum | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | From $1 | 0.02% to 0.14% | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | From $1 / £3 / €10 | N/A | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | N/A |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | Saxo | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | No | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | No |
| Research | Saxo | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No | |
| Research - CFDs | |||
| 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 | Vanguard UK Investor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | No | No | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Summary | Saxo | Vanguard UK Investor | |
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| Review | Saxo Review | Vanguard UK Investor Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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