Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs Markets.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing Saxo and Markets.com, both online brokers stand out with their strong regulatory credentials, but there are some distinctions. Founded in 1992, Saxo is not only an established broker but also operates as a bank, enhancing its trust factor for clients. Meanwhile, Markets.com was established in 1999 and is not a bank. Saxo boasts 7 Tier-1 licenses, indicative of a higher level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com, which complements its perfect Trust Score of 99. Markets.com holds 3 Tier-1 licenses and has a commendable Trust Score of 93. Both brokers are non-publicly traded and hold 1 Tier-2 license each, offering substantial security and trust in their trading environments.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing Saxo and Markets.com in terms of commissions and fees, Saxo stands out as an excellent choice for cost-effective trading, especially for active and high-volume traders who can maintain large account balances. Saxo offers competitive pricing with average EUR/USD spreads of 1.1, 1.0, and 0.9 pips for its Classic, Platinum, and VIP accounts, respectively. The Platinum and VIP accounts offer pricing closer to the industry average, with the Classic account slightly above it. Furthermore, Saxo waives custody fees for share trading when traders participate in securities lending. Rated five stars for commissions and fees, Saxo ranks #9 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Saxo's account structure includes a recently introduced $0 minimum deposit for Classic accounts, making it accessible to new traders. The Platinum account requires a $200,000 deposit, but traders can be upgraded by earning loyalty points through trading volume. Saxo's VIP account, awarded for having the #1 VIP client experience in 2024, necessitates a $1,000,000 deposit or significant trading volume for a potential upgrade and provides further savings and exclusive benefits. For forex trading, Saxo remains commission-free, though a $3 fee per side applies to those trading less than 50,000 units monthly.
In contrast, Markets.com lacks detailed average spread data, offering less transparency in pricing. With a 3.5-star rating for commissions and fees, Markets.com ranks #50 among 63 brokers in this category on ForexBrokers.com. This positions Saxo as the better option for traders prioritizing cost-efficiency and transparent pricing structures.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments offered, Saxo and Markets.com cater to different trading preferences. Saxo offers an extensive selection of tradeable symbols, boasting an impressive 70,000, compared to Markets.com's 2,179. Those interested in forex trading will find Saxo's offering of 190 forex pairs significantly more expansive than Markets.com's 57 pairs. Both platforms provide options for trading forex as CFDs or spot contracts, allowing traders to choose based on their investment strategies. However, when it comes to exchange-traded securities, Saxo takes the lead by giving clients access to both U.S. and international exchanges, whereas Markets.com does not provide this option.
For traders interested in copy trading, both brokers support this feature, creating opportunities for learning and collaborating with successful investors. While neither platform allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, they both offer options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives. In a comparison of broker rankings, Saxo excels with a five-star rating and ranks third among 63 brokers for its range of investments. Conversely, Markets.com, while still providing a competitive array of investment opportunities, falls short with a four-star rating and ranks 29th according to ForexBrokers.com. Whether you're seeking a vast catalog of investment choices or specific trading functionalities, both brokers offer distinct advantages tailored to different investor needs.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 57 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by Saxo and Markets.com, both brokers provide their users with simulated trading experiences through free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms. Furthermore, both Saxo and Markets.com offer Windows-based desktop download platforms and web-based trading solutions, ensuring traders have access no matter their preferred software. They each support copy trading, yet Markets.com goes a step further by providing MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Saxo opts to exclude these popular platforms in their lineup.
In terms of charting features, Saxo stands out with 20 drawing tools and the capability to trade directly from stock charts, a feature absent from Markets.com, which offers only 4 drawing tools. When it comes to organizing watch lists, Saxo again outpaces Markets.com with 60 available fields compared to just 6. This comprehensive array of tools and functionalities earns Saxo a stellar five-star rating in Trading Platforms and Tools, ranking it as the top choice out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Markets.com holds a four-star rating and ranks 27th, highlighting a slightly more limited toolset in comparison to Saxo.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing Saxo and Markets.com for their mobile trading apps, both platforms offer applications for iPhone and Android, ensuring users have broad access to their trading tools. They both provide essential features like price alerts and watchlist symbol syncing, enabling users to stay updated on stock and forex markets. However, Saxo sets itself apart with a richer charting experience, offering 64 technical studies and the ability to save chart drawings automatically. While both apps allow drawing trendlines, only Saxo supports viewing multiple time frames on its charts, making it more versatile for traders who rely on detailed analysis.
In terms of watchlist functionality and real-time quotes, both Saxo and Markets.com allow users to create customized lists for quick access to market data. However, Saxo's app is rated slightly higher with a 5-star score compared to Markets.com's 4-star rating, reflecting its superior user experience and features. This is further emphasized by Saxo's ranking as the second-best mobile trading app out of 63 brokers, while Markets.com comes in at 33rd place. These distinctions make Saxo a favorable choice for those prioritizing advanced charting and comprehensive trading tools.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Saxo and Markets.com for market research, both brokers provide daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Traders with Saxo gain additional insights from Autochartist tools, enhancing their technical and fundamental analysis capabilities, a feature not offered by Markets.com. Both platforms include sentiment-based trading tools, helping users see the distribution of long and short positions across various instruments. However, neither broker offers research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Each provides an economic calendar to keep users informed about significant global news events.
In terms of recognition, Saxo stands at the forefront with a perfect 5-star research rating, topping ForexBrokers.com's list among 63 brokers. Conversely, Markets.com is rated 4 stars, positioning at the 17th spot. This distinction underscores Saxo's more comprehensive research offerings, making it an attractive choice for traders prioritizing in-depth market analysis.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by Saxo and Markets.com for beginner traders, there are significant differences to consider. Saxo provides a comprehensive learning experience with over ten educational materials focused on forex and CFDs. This is complemented by their regular offering of online client webinars, along with access to a rich archive of past sessions. In addition to these resources, Saxo delivers more than ten beginner-friendly videos tailored to demystify trading topics. Their educational suite is further enhanced with an investor dictionary, which helps beginners grasp over 50 essential investing terms. With these resources, Saxo garners a 5-star rating and ranks 13th out of 63 brokers in the Education category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Markets.com also aims to equip novice traders with learning tools, but there are gaps compared to Saxo. While they do provide monthly educational webinars and more than ten beginner-focused videos, these offerings fall short with the absence of an extensive archive of past webinars. Moreover, Markets.com lacks a dedicated collection of forex and CFDs materials, as well as an investor dictionary, which may leave some learning needs unmet. These factors contribute to a slightly lower 4-star education rating and a 34th place ranking among 63 brokers in the Education category, indicating room for improvement in their educational resources for new traders.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Saxo is better than Markets.com. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
Saxo is an exclusive multi-asset broker with brilliant research and a superb trading platform experience – as well as a stunning selection of over 40,000 securities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both Saxo and Markets.com do not offer the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing investors to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset.
Both Saxo and Markets.com facilitate deposits and withdrawals using Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but only Markets.com additionally supports transactions via Skrill, while neither platform offers options for ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transfers.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Saxo | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Saxo | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Saxo Review |
| Overall | Saxo | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
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