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 online brokers, XTB and Saxo offer distinct options. Both platforms provide share trading and ETF trading, catering to conventional investment preferences. They share a common stance by not supporting crypto trading or spread betting, aligning with a more traditional investment approach. Both XTB and Saxo also allow traders to engage in CFD trading. Unlike XTB, Saxo expands its offerings with additional trading options including funds, corporate bonds, government bonds (gilts), and investment trusts, which may appeal to those looking for a wider selection of investments.
UK.StockBrokers.com rates XTB favourably with 4.5 stars for its investment choices, positioning it at 13th out of 21 brokers. Saxo, on the other hand, excels with a top rating of 5 stars, taking the number one spot in the same ranking. Both platforms do not provide advisor services, keeping the focus strictly on self-directed investments. As a result, while XTB offers a solid range of trading options for strategic investors, Saxo broadens its appeal with more comprehensive market choices, making it a preferred choice for those seeking diverse investment avenues.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | 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.
For UK traders comparing XTB and Saxo's trading platforms, both brokers offer comprehensive tools with unique strengths. XTB allows users to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts, a feature not available with Saxo. Each offers 20 drawing tools, but Saxo edges ahead with 64 technical indicators compared to XTB's 39. Both platforms enable trading notes on charts and provide browser-based platforms with real-time market data and the ability to set alerts for stock price updates.
However, when it comes to chart overlays, there are notable differences. Saxo supports both index and stock overlays on charts, giving it an edge for those who need layered analytical views. XTB does not offer overlays, which could be a drawback for visually oriented traders looking to compare stock and market data directly on their charts. Despite these differences, both platforms offer strong tools for UK investors seeking flexibility and detailed market insight.
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
When comparing online brokers XTB and Saxo for retirement account options in the UK, it is important to note that both offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs). However, if you're looking to open a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP), Saxo stands out as the better choice since XTB does not provide this option. Therefore, while both platforms cater to ISA investors, SAXO might be more suitable for those seeking a comprehensive retirement savings solution that includes SIPPs.
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.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners at online brokers XTB and Saxo, Saxo comes out ahead with a focus on accessibility and variety. Saxo excels by offering live educational webinars and the convenience of watching them on demand, ensuring that new investors can learn at their own pace. In contrast, XTB doesn't offer webinars but provides helpful education on share trading, which is not covered by Saxo. While both brokers lack educational content on topics like funds and retirement, Saxo's comprehensive approach to beginner education earns it a 5-star rating and a #3 ranking from UK.StockBrokers.com. Meanwhile, XTB is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #9, reflecting solid educational offerings but less versatility than Saxo.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No |
| Education (Funds) | No | No |
| Education (Retirement) | No | No |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of XTB and Saxo, UK investors will find differences that cater to various needs. Saxo stands out by offering comprehensive research reports for funds and bonds, whereas XTB lacks these features. Both brokers excel in delivering research for shares, ETFs, and CFDs, providing valuable insights for those trading in these areas. Additionally, both XTB and Saxo enable investors to view portfolio allocation by asset class, an essential tool for managing investments effectively. While XTB provides solid support with shares, ETFs, and CFDs research, Saxo's inclusion of funds and bonds research offers a broader scope for investors seeking diverse market insights.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Saxo
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | 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 |
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Saxo
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Both XTB and Saxo do not offer crypto trading, making them comparable options for investors who do not prioritize cryptocurrency assets in their trading strategies.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Saxo | |
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| Review | XTB Review | Saxo Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | Yes | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | Yes | |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| 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 | |
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| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| 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 | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Saxo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Funds) | No | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | XTB | Saxo | |
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| Review | XTB Review | Saxo Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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