Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Saxo, 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, XTB 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 - XTB 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 - XTB 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 - XTB 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 - XTB 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 - XTB would cost £0 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 the offerings of XTB and Saxo, both online brokers present appealing options in key investment categories. XTB provides trading opportunities in shares, ETFs, and CFDs, while Saxo mirrors these choices and extends its range to include funds, corporate bonds, and gilts. Saxo's more extensive product lineup positions it as a versatile choice for those looking to diversify their portfolios, offering a wider selection compared to XTB, which focuses on core trading activities without dipping into bonds or mutual funds.
According to UK.StockBrokers.com, Saxo's comprehensive investment options earn it a top rank, placing first out of 21 brokers reviewed, with an impressive rating of 5 stars. In contrast, XTB, although rated a respectable 4.5 stars, holds the 13th spot due to its narrower range of offerings. For investors in the UK seeking a broad spectrum of investment choices, Saxo stands out as a premier option, whereas XTB appeals to those prioritizing straightforward access to shares, ETFs, and CFDs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | |
| 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 offered by XTB and Saxo to UK readers, both platforms deliver a user-friendly experience but with distinct features. XTB allows users to display corporate events directly on charts, a feature that Saxo lacks. However, Saxo excels in the number of technical indicators available, providing 64 compared to XTB’s 39. Both brokers offer an equal number of drawing tools, totaling 20 on each platform, and both allow traders to add notes to their charts to keep track of important insights.
Saxo further distinguishes itself by offering index and stock overlays on charts, while XTB does not include this feature. Both brokers make trading accessible via browser-based platforms and provide the capability to create alerts for stock price updates. Additionally, real-time market data is a standard offering for both XTB and Saxo, ensuring that traders have up-to-date information at their fingertips. This array of features makes both brokers compelling choices, though Saxo might appeal more to those seeking advanced charting functionalities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 20 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
When comparing online brokers XTB and Saxo for retirement accounts in the UK, both companies offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) to their clients, providing a tax-efficient method of saving and investing. However, Saxo holds an advantage for those interested in Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) accounts, as it offers this option for individuals looking to take more control over their pension savings. XTB, on the other hand, does not currently provide SIPP accounts, which may be a consideration for investors focused on retirement planning flexibility.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
XTB and Saxo both provide iPhone and Android apps for their users in the UK, ensuring convenient access to trading on the go. When rated by UK.StockBrokers.com, XTB's mobile app receives a commendable rating of 4.5 stars, placing it at a respectable 6th position out of 21 brokers for mobile app offerings. Conversely, Saxo's mobile app earns a top-notch 5-star rating, securing the coveted 1st position in the same ranking. This indicates a slightly superior mobile app experience with Saxo compared to XTB, according to these reviews.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
For UK beginners seeking educational resources on online trading, Saxo Bank holds a slight edge over XTB. While both brokers provide resources for share trading, Saxo offers educational client webinars, including archived sessions accessible on-demand, whereas XTB does not. Although neither platform features educational content specifically targeting funds or retirement, Saxo's comprehensive webinar offerings contribute to its higher beginner education rating of 5 stars from UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to XTB's 4.5 stars. Consequently, Saxo ranks third among 21 brokers for beginner education, surpassing XTB's ninth place position, indicating a more comprehensive educational support structure for new investors.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | ||
| Education (Retirement) | ||
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing XTB and Saxo for market research features, UK investors will find distinct differences and similarities. Both platforms provide insights into portfolio allocation by asset class and offer comprehensive research for shares, ETFs, and CFDs. However, Saxo takes the lead in research capabilities by providing detailed reports for funds and bonds, which XTB does not currently offer. Whether you are looking for the depth of research for diverse financial products or analyzing your portfolio by asset class, both XTB and Saxo provide useful tools, though Saxo offers a broader array of research options.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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, XTB or Saxo? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found XTB to be a better trading platform overall.
XTB has set itself up as a strong competitor in commission-free share trading. Its low fees and solid educational content will make XTB particularly attractive to newer investors. It does not, however, offer an ISA or SIPP.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Charges & Fees |
|
|
| Investment Choices |
|
|
| Mobile App |
|
|
| Website |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both XTB and Saxo offer cryptocurrency trading, providing investors with access to a range of digital assets through their robust online brokerage platforms.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | XTB Review | Saxo Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | XTB | 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 | ||
| Spread Betting | Yes | ||
| Crypto Trading | |||
| Advisor Services |
| Trading Fees | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £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) | N/A | 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 | N/A | From $1 / £3 / €10 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £50 |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 20 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | ||
| Charting - Stock Overlays | Yes | ||
| Charting - Index Overlays | Yes |
| Research | XTB | 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 | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | ||
| Education (Funds) | |||
| Education (Retirement) | |||
| Client Webinars | Yes | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes |
| Overall Summary | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Charges & Fees |
|
| |
| Investment Choices |
|
| |
| Mobile App |
|
| |
| Website |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Review | XTB 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