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.
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.
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 Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
12 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
36 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
120 trades per year - Saxo would cost 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost N/A per year.
3 fund trades per year - Saxo would cost £0 per year, while Vanguard UK Investor would cost £500 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.
Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor offer distinct investment options catering to different investor needs in the UK. Saxo supports share trading, ETFs, CFDs, funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, and investment trusts, making it a versatile platform for various trading activities. Meanwhile, Vanguard UK Investor focuses on ETFs and funds but does not provide access to share trading, CFDs, corporate or government bonds, and investment trusts. Notably, neither broker offers crypto trading or spread betting, nor do they provide advisor services.
When evaluating their investment choices, Saxo receives a 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, ranking #1 out of 18 brokers, thus commanding recognition for its comprehensive offering. In comparison, Vanguard UK Investor receives a rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked #16, reflecting its more limited scope in available investment products. This stark contrast highlights Saxo's broad range of trading options versus Vanguard UK's more focused approach.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | No |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| 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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Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
Low-cost US and UK shares.
When it comes to charting tools, Saxo significantly outshines Vanguard UK Investor. While both platforms lack the ability to display corporate events on their charts, Saxo provides an impressive range of 20 drawing tools compared to Vanguard's none. Similarly, Saxo offers 64 technical indicators for more detailed analysis, whereas Vanguard offers no such features. Additionally, Saxo users can enhance their charting experience by adding notes, index overlays, and stock overlays, all features that are absent in Vanguard UK Investor's toolkit.
On the accessibility front, both Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor offer browser-based trading platforms, enabling users to trade online easily. However, Saxo continues to lead with advanced functionalities like setting alerts for stock price updates and accessing real-time market data. Unfortunately, Vanguard UK Investor does not include these capabilities. Overall, Saxo provides a richer, feature-packed trading experience tailored for those who want more control and insight into their investments.
| 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 choosing between Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor for retirement accounts, both brokers offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), making them solid choices for UK investors aiming to grow their savings tax-efficiently. Saxo provides a versatile platform for managing your ISA and SIPP accounts, while Vanguard UK Investor stands out for its low-cost investment options and user-friendly experience. Whether you're looking for a comprehensive trading platform or cost-effective fund management, both brokers cater to different investing styles while ensuring you can maximize your retirement savings. Consider your investment goals and preferences to decide which broker aligns best with your financial strategy.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
When comparing the mobile app offerings of online brokers Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor, both provide apps for iPhone and Android users. However, the quality and user experience differ notably. Saxo's mobile app stands out with a top-notch 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, making it the highest-ranked app among 18 brokers. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor's app receives a moderate 3.5-star rating and is positioned at 17th. Consequently, Saxo offers a more acclaimed mobile trading experience for investors seeking functionality and ease of use on the go.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor for beginner-friendly educational resources, Saxo clearly stands out with a strong track record. Saxo offers client webinars conducive to learning, which are also archived for on-demand access, although it doesn't cover specific topics like share trading, funds, or retirement. On the other hand, Vanguard UK Investor lacks live client webinars but does provide archived webinars and educational resources on funds and retirement, making it a suitable option for those interested in these topics. Despite this, Saxo earns a top-tier 5-star rating and holds the #2 rank among 18 brokers for beginner education by UK.StockBrokers.com, indicating superior educational offerings for newcomers. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor receives a rating of 3.5 stars and ranks at #14, suggesting there is room for improvement in its educational resources for beginners.
| 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 online brokers Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor, both platforms provide similar support with research reports for funds, portfolio allocation by asset class, and ETFs research. However, Saxo stands out by offering more extensive research options across different investment products. Saxo provides detailed insights into shares, CFDs, and bonds, which are not available through Vanguard UK Investor. This makes Saxo a more comprehensive choice for investors keen on exploring a wider range of market data and analysis, ideal for those looking to diversify their investment strategies with thorough research tools. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor focuses more narrowly on funds and ETFs, catering to investors who prioritize these areas.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Vanguard UK Investor
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | No |
| 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 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 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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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 | |
| 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 | No | No | |
| 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) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £51 | N/A | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £72 | N/A | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £144 | N/A | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.12% + 0.08% (or £3) per trade: a minimum of £396 | N/A | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | 0.4% + 0% commission: £120 | £108 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | Up to £800 | Under £32,000: £48 / Over £32,000: 0.15% | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £500 to £1,000 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | Up to £1,998 | £375 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £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 | 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 | 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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