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 |
If you’re comparing commissions and fees, Saxo is the stronger value for active or high‑volume traders, while Plus500 tends to cost a bit more on average. Saxo is rated 5 stars for Commissions and Fees and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers, versus Plus500’s 4.0 stars and #24 ranking. Both are spread-based for forex, but their average spreads and discounts differ in important ways.
Saxo’s forex pricing is commission-free; however, traders doing less than 50,000 units per month pay a $3-per-side ticket fee. As of November 2023, average EUR/USD spreads were 1.1 pips on the Classic account, 1.0 on Platinum, and 0.9 on VIP, with minimums about 0.2 pips tighter. The best savings unlock at higher tiers and larger balances: Classic has a $0 minimum deposit, Platinum requires $200,000, and VIP requires $1,000,000 (or qualifying via loyalty trading volume). Saxo also waives custody fees on share trading if you opt into securities lending.
Plus500’s pricing is slightly above the industry average and doesn’t offer retail discounts. In April 2024, the average EUR/USD spread was 1.5 pips. While there are cash rebates, they are available only if you qualify as a Professional client. In short, frequent or high‑volume traders will usually find Saxo cheaper over time, whereas occasional traders may find Plus500 simpler but with higher typical spreads.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.0 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Saxo vs Plus500: When it comes to the range of investments, Saxo offers far more choice with about 71,000 tradeable symbols and 190 forex pairs, compared with Plus500’s roughly 5,500 symbols and 65 forex pairs. Both support forex trading via CFDs or spot, and both let you buy actual exchange-traded shares (not CFDs) on U.S. and international exchanges. Each also provides cryptocurrency exposure through crypto CFDs, but neither offers direct, delivered crypto. Copy trading isn’t available on either platform.
Ratings back up the difference in breadth: Saxo is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #3 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Plus500 earns 4.5 stars and ranks #22. If you want maximum market coverage and more currency pairs, Saxo stands out. If you’re comfortable with a leaner lineup that still covers popular markets, Plus500 is a capable alternative.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 71000 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 65 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
Saxo and Plus500 both offer free demo (paper) accounts and their own trading platforms. Each has a convenient web-based platform, but only Saxo also provides a Windows desktop download for those who want a full installed app. Copy trading isn’t available at either broker, and neither supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5). If you like placing orders directly from charts, Saxo enables trading from the chart, while Plus500 does not.
Independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com give Saxo 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and rank it #1 out of 63 brokers. Plus500 earns 4.5 stars and ranks #14. In short, both are strong for web trading and demo access, but Saxo stands out for its downloadable desktop platform and chart-trading features.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 61 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Saxo and Plus500 both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts and watchlist syncing across devices and the web. Each app lets you draw trendlines and manage symbols on the go, making it easy to track stocks, forex, and more. For overall experience, Saxo’s mobile trading app earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Plus500 scores 4.5 stars and ranks #14.
If charting depth matters, Plus500 lists more technical studies (115 vs Saxo’s 64), which active traders may appreciate. However, Saxo auto-saves your chart drawings, while Plus500 does not—handy if you switch between phone and desktop. In short, both apps cover the basics well; choose Plus500 for a wider set of indicators, or Saxo for higher-rated usability and saved drawings.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
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 (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing Saxo vs Plus500 for education, both brokers help beginners learn forex and CFD trading in a clear, structured way. Each runs online client webinars at least once a month and provides 10+ beginner videos plus 10+ advanced videos, so you can move from basic concepts to more complex strategies at your own pace. Their video lessons and webinars make it easy to follow along and build confidence step by step.
For overall quality, Saxo is rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Plus500 earns 4.0 stars and ranks #31. If you want a deeper learning path from beginner to advanced, Saxo has the edge. If you prefer straightforward video lessons and regular webinars to get started, Plus500 is a solid choice.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
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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In a Saxo vs Plus500 comparison for crypto trading, neither online broker lets you buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Saxo and Plus500 both accept bank wire transfers and do not support ACH/SEPA funding, but Plus500 additionally offers PayPal and Skrill while Saxo does not.
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 | ||
| 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) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 71000 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 1.0 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 61 | 115 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Saxo | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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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