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 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 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: For range of investments, Saxo lists about 70,000 tradeable symbols, far more than Plus500’s roughly 5,500. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, but Saxo offers around 190 currency pairs compared with about 65 at Plus500. Each provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. markets (like Apple) and on international exchanges (such as Vodafone in London). Saxo supports copy trading, while Plus500 does not. Neither broker lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, though both offer crypto derivatives.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Saxo earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 3rd out of 63 brokers, while Plus500 earns 4.5 stars and ranks 22nd. If having many products and forex pairs in one account is a top priority, Saxo has the edge; Plus500 still covers popular markets with a simpler lineup.
| 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 (Underlying) | 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.
Comparing Saxo vs Plus500 for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer a free demo account for paper trading and both use proprietary platforms. Each provides a web-based trading platform, but only Saxo also offers a Windows desktop platform. Saxo supports copy trading and lets you place trades directly from price charts, while Plus500 does not. Neither broker offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
For quality and features, ForexBrokers.com rates Saxo at 5 stars and ranks it #1 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools. Plus500 earns 4.5 stars and ranks #14. Choose Saxo if you want a desktop app, chart trading, and copy trading alongside a web platform and demo account. Pick Plus500 if a streamlined web platform with a demo account fits your trading style.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing Saxo vs Plus500 for mobile trading, both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, real-time quotes, and watchlists that sync with your online account. This makes it easy to track markets on the go and keep your lists consistent across devices. Both apps cover the basics well, so you can set alerts and monitor your favorite stocks and forex pairs from anywhere.
For charting, Plus500 lists more technical indicators (about 115) than Saxo (about 64), and both let you draw trendlines. Saxo has an edge for workflow, as its app auto-saves chart drawings, while Plus500 does not. In independent ratings, Saxo scores 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, compared with Plus500’s 4.5 stars and #14 ranking—useful context if overall app quality and polish are priorities for you.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginner traders comparing education at Saxo vs Plus500, both brokers offer ongoing help: each runs client webinars at least once a month and provides 10+ beginner videos that explain trading basics. As you grow, both also supply 10+ advanced videos. However, the available data does not confirm whether either broker meets a 10-piece minimum for a wider forex and CFD education library, nor whether they maintain a searchable archive of past webinars or an investor dictionary with 50+ terms.
On quality scores, Saxo earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Plus500 scores 4.0 stars and ranks #31. If you want the higher-rated learning experience with more room to advance, Saxo has the edge; if you mainly need beginner-friendly videos and regular webinars, Plus500 can still fit the bill.
| 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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Both Saxo and Plus500 allow traders to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to buy actual cryptocurrency for delivery.
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) | 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 (Underlying) | 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 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 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 | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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) | 64 | 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 | 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 | |
| Mobile Research - 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 | |
| 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 | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| 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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