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.
For investors navigating the UK markets, Saxo provides a comprehensive array of options compared to Vanguard UK Investor. Saxo supports share trading, offering flexibility in asset selection not available through Vanguard, which lacks this feature. Both platforms allow ETF and fund trading, but Saxo extends its investment choices further by offering corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, which are not part of Vanguard's lineup. Furthermore, Saxo offers CFD trading, giving investors more advanced trading capabilities that Vanguard does not provide. Neither platform provides crypto trading, spread betting, or advisor services, keeping some aspects consistent between them.
In terms of recognition for investment versatility, Saxo shines with a perfect 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, earning the top rank among 18 evaluated brokers. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor, with a 3.5-star rating, holds the lowest rank in the same evaluation. This ranking underscores Saxo's broad spectrum of investment options that cater to a diverse range of investor needs, while Vanguard focuses more on traditional offers. Whether you prefer a wider selection or a more niche approach depends on your individual investment strategy and goals.
| 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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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 the mobile app offerings of Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor for UK users, both platforms provide iPhone and Android apps, ensuring accessibility across devices. Saxo’s app stands out with an impressive 5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, securing its position as the top choice among 18 brokers for mobile app functionality. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor's app, with a more modest 3.5-star rating, ranks lower at #19. This comparison highlights Saxo as a leader in mobile trading features, while Vanguard UK Investor provides a more basic app experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK investors starting their financial journey, Saxo and Vanguard UK Investor offer distinct educational resources. Saxo shines with live and archived webinars, earning a stellar 5-star rating and a rank of third out of 18 brokers for beginner education by UK.StockBrokers.com. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor, while providing on-demand webinars, focuses more on topics such as funds and retirement education, though it lacks content on share trading. It receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks 17th, reflecting a more limited educational offering compared to Saxo for beginners. Both platforms cater to different educational needs, with Saxo excelling in interactive learning methods.
| 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 Saxo with Vanguard UK Investor for market research features, UK investors will find significant differences. Both Saxo and Vanguard provide detailed research reports for funds and allow users to view portfolio allocation by asset class. However, Saxo offers a broader range of research options, including insights into individual shares, ETFs, funds, CFDs, and bonds. In contrast, Vanguard UK Investor only provides research for funds and ETFs, falling short in areas like shares, CFDs, and bonds research. This makes Saxo a more comprehensive choice for those seeking extensive market research capabilities.
| 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’ 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.
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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 | |
| 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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