Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs Plus500, 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 the online brokers Saxo and Plus500, both firms demonstrate a high level of trustworthiness with perfect Trust Score ratings of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. Saxo, established in 1992, operates as a bank and is known for its strong regulatory framework with 7 Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of trust. Plus500, founded later in 2008, and publicly traded on a stock exchange, also maintains a solid regulatory position with 6 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, which indicates a trusted status.
While Saxo is not publicly traded, its status as a bank may offer an added sense of security for some investors. Plus500’s status as a publicly traded entity, however, can provide transparency in its operations. Both brokers are highly regarded in the industry for their regulatory compliance and have established strong reputations over the years since their respective inceptions.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing Saxo and Plus500 for their commissions and fees, Saxo emerges as a strong contender, especially for active or high-volume traders, as well as those maintaining large account balances. Saxo's pricing for its Platinum and VIP accounts is competitive within the industry, with average spreads for the EUR/USD at 1.0 and 0.9 pips, respectively, while its Classic account stands at 1.1 pips. Notably, Saxo is commission-free for forex trading, though a ticket fee of $3 per side applies if trading less than 50,000 units monthly. Additional perks include waived custody fees for share trading through securities lending. Saxo boasts an impressive 5-star rating and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees.
On the other hand, Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average with EUR/USD spreads averaging 1.5 pips. Unlike Saxo, Plus500 does not offer retail discounts. However, it does provide cash rebates for those qualifying as Professional clients. Plus500 holds a 4.0-star rating and is positioned at #25 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for its pricing structure.
Overall, Saxo excelled in delivering value through its low spreads and additional benefits, particularly for traders achieving higher account tiers through loyalty programs, earning it the top honor for VIP Client Experience in 2024. In contrast, Plus500, while offering some rebates, does not match Saxo’s comprehensive pricing advantages or its competitive positioning in the market.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.5 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.5 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Saxo and Plus500 both offer a comprehensive selection of investment options, yet they differ significantly in the variety and scope of their offerings. Saxo boasts an impressive 70,000 tradeable symbols, including 190 forex pairs, compared to Plus500, which offers 5,500 symbols and 65 forex pairs. Additionally, both brokers provide access to forex trading as both a CFD and spot contract. Investors interested in exchange-traded securities will find both brokers accommodating, as they allow clients to purchase shares on U.S. and international exchanges, including popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone.
Despite both platforms enabling cryptocurrency derivative trading, neither Saxo nor Plus500 offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrency assets. Saxo, however, stands out with its copy trading option, which Plus500 currently does not provide. In terms of investment variety, Saxo has secured the #3 spot in ForexBrokers.com’s ranking of 63 brokers, earning a five-star rating, while Plus500 is ranked #24 with a 4.5-star rating. This highlights Saxo's more extensive range, catering to a broader spectrum of investor needs and preferences.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools between Saxo and Plus500, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts and their own proprietary platforms, allowing users to familiarize themselves with the interface before committing real funds. Saxo stands out with its diverse offerings, including a Windows-based desktop platform which Plus500 lacks. Both provide web-based platforms, but Saxo also offers copy trading while Plus500 does not support this feature. Additionally, neither platform supports MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, and both lack integration with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade.
Saxo is a clear leader with its 20 drawing tools and the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts—a feature not available on Plus500. Plus500, however, offers more drawing tools with a total of 36. In terms of watchlist customization, Saxo offers an impressive 60 columns compared to Plus500's 10. According to ForexBrokers.com, Saxo holds the top rank out of 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools, boasting a flawless five-star rating, whereas Plus500 is ranked 14th with a commendable 4.5-star rating. Overall, Saxo provides a more comprehensive platform experience with a greater variety of tools and features than Plus500.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 36 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 10 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Saxo and Plus500 offer excellent mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users. They provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing, and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Both apps also cater to technical traders, allowing you to draw trendlines and switch between multiple time frames on charts. However, Saxo stands out with 64 technical studies available, while Plus500 offers an impressive 115, providing a broader range of analysis tools for users.
One notable difference between the two is that Saxo's app automatically saves your chart drawings, a convenience not found in the Plus500 app. In terms of user ratings and rankings, Saxo takes the lead with a five-star rating and a #2 rank out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. Plus500, while still highly rated with 4.5 stars, holds a #14 rank. These distinctions make Saxo a top choice for mobile trading, especially for those who prioritize saving chart data and user experience excellence.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Saxo and Plus500 offer daily market commentary, providing their users with timely insights into market trends. However, when it comes to forex news, Saxo takes the lead by sourcing information from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, which Plus500 does not offer. For advanced analysis, Saxo incorporates tools from Autochartist, while Plus500 stands out by integrating Trading Central's Technical Analytics. Both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools that reveal the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs or other instruments. Furthermore, each platform features an economic calendar to keep traders updated on global news events.
Saxo is highly acclaimed in the research domain, earning a top rating of five stars and securing the number one spot among 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Plus500, with a solid four-star rating, ranks at 19th place. Although neither broker provides research tools from Acuity Trading or TipRanks, Saxo's comprehensive offerings and top-tier news access set it apart, particularly for traders seeking in-depth market analysis and resources.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 available for beginners at Saxo and Plus500, both online brokers offer a comprehensive array of educational materials that cover forex and CFDs. Each broker provides more than 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focusing on these topics. Both Saxo and Plus500 host online educational webinars each month and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions, allowing beginners to access previous content at any time. Additionally, both platforms have curated more than 10 beginner-focused educational videos to guide newcomers through the complexities of trading.
However, there are some differences to note. While both Saxo and Plus500 cater to more experienced traders with advanced video content, Saxo distinguishes itself by offering an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, a feature that Plus500 does not provide. This added resource contributes to Saxo receiving a 5-star rating for education compared to Plus500's 4-star rating. In terms of educational rankings according to ForexBrokers.com, Saxo holds the 13th position out of 63 brokers, whereas Plus500 is ranked 31st. These distinctions highlight Saxo’s robust commitment to investor education, positioning it as a slightly stronger choice for educational support.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Plus500. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
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
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Plus500
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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Both Saxo and Plus500 allow traders to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to buy actual cryptocurrency for delivery.
When comparing Saxo and Plus500 for depositing and withdrawing account funds, it's important to note that both brokers accept Visa and Mastercard payments as well as bank wire transfers; however, Plus500 additionally supports PayPal and Skrill, whereas Saxo does not provide these options.
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 | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
| Cost | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.5 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.5 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 10 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 36 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Saxo Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | Saxo | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | Plus500 Review |
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