Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs Tickmill, 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 online brokers, Saxo and Tickmill stand out with their strong regulatory standings, though they differ in certain key aspects. Saxo, founded in 1992, is also a licensed bank, which adds a layer of security for investors. With 7 Tier-1 licenses—licenses considered to be of the highest trust—Saxo establishes itself as a leader in the industry. In fact, Saxo's Trust Score is a stellar 99 out of 99, reflecting its highly trusted status according to ForexBrokers.com. While not publicly traded, Saxo offers a reassuring depth of regulatory oversight.
Tickmill, on the other hand, was founded in 2014 and, while it's not a bank, it manages to hold its ground with a robust suite of licenses. The broker possesses 2 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses, both of which are indicative of a respectable level of trust. With a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, Tickmill is classified as a trusted broker by ForexBrokers.com, although it doesn't quite reach the same high trust level as Saxo. Both brokers provide valuable options for traders, yet Saxo edges out with more comprehensive regulatory credentials.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Saxo offers highly competitive pricing, especially appealing to active and high-volume traders due to its excellent all-around rates. For those with significant account balances, Saxo’s pricing structures for its Platinum and VIP accounts are close to the industry average, with spreads on EUR/USD as low as 0.9 pips in its VIP tier. The Classic account has slightly higher spreads, averaging 1.1 pips. Saxo is commission-free for forex trading, although beginners trading fewer than 50,000 units may face a $3 ticket fee per side. The broker waives custody fees for traders engaging in securities lending, and offers a generous zero-dollar minimum deposit for Classic accounts, while elite investors are rewarded with exclusive VIP account benefits for deposits of $1,000,000 or more. Saxo has a premium star rating of five out of five, ranking #9 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
In contrast, Tickmill provides two primary account options: Classic and Raw. The Raw account, designed for serious traders, features very low spreads, with typical rates at 0.11 pips for EUR/USD, though the overall cost rises to 0.71 pips when factoring in the $6 per standard lot commission. While the Classic account is entirely commission-free, it has a higher average spread of 1.76 pips. The Raw account supports high efficiency in trading with tighter spreads and low entry barriers, set at a $100 minimum deposit. Despite the recent increase in its commission structure, Tickmill remains a top choice for active traders. Tickmill also holds a five out of five star rating, proudly placed at #4 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
Both Saxo and Tickmill lead the field with their exceptional fee and commission offerings, tailored for distinct investor needs. Saxo focuses on high-balance accounts and luxury access via its loyalty program, while Tickmill caters to active traders with enticing spreads and minimal entry costs. The choice between them hinges on the trader's priorities, whether it's exclusive VIP client experiences and minimal spreads or simple, cost-effective trading with low barriers to entry.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.70 |
| 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.
When comparing Saxo with Tickmill, Saxo stands out by offering a much larger array of investment options and trading instruments. With a staggering 70,000 tradeable symbols and 190 forex pairs, Saxo provides a vast playground for traders looking for diverse opportunities. Saxo's clients can buy exchange-traded securities, such as Apple shares on U.S. exchanges and Vodafone shares on international exchanges, which is not an option with Tickmill. Furthermore, both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, offer copy trading, and provide cryptocurrency derivatives, but Saxo delivers a more expansive selection across the board.
Tickmill, while reliable, offers a more limited choice with 637 tradeable symbols and 63 forex pairs. It does not provide direct access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets. Both Saxo and Tickmill offer the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives; however, neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Overall, Saxo's broader selection of investment options and higher rating of 5 stars for its range of investments–compared to Tickmill's 3.5 stars–is reflected in its higher ranking of #3 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill is ranked at #42.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 63 |
| 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 Tickmill, both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, enabling traders to practice without financial risk. Saxo takes a step ahead with its proprietary platform, an in-house developed solution, offering a uniquely tailored trading experience, whereas Tickmill primarily relies on third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both brokers also support trading on Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based browser platforms, ensuring versatility for their users.
In terms of trading features, both platforms offer copy trading and the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts. However, Saxo offers a wider range of charting capabilities with 20 drawing tools and a watchlist featuring 60 customizable columns, compared to Tickmill's 9 drawing tools and 7 column options. Though Tickmill supports popular trading platforms like MT4 and MT5, Saxo's well-rounded in-house tools have earned it a 5-star rating for trading platforms and tools and the #1 spot out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill secures a commendable 4-star rating and the #29 spot.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 91 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 9 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing Saxo to Tickmill for mobile trading apps, both brokers have apps available for iPhone and Android users, enabling seamless access to trading on the go. Each app provides stock or forex price alerts, ensuring traders never miss a beat in the market. However, Saxo excels in offering watchlist symbol syncing, allowing traders to maintain consistent watchlists across their mobile app and online accounts, a feature not available with Tickmill. When it comes to technical studies for charting, Saxo has a notable advantage with 64 studies compared to Tickmill’s 30, providing users with more in-depth technical analysis capabilities.
Users of both Saxo and Tickmill can draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and benefit from auto-saving chart drawings, ensuring a smooth and efficient trading experience. Real-time quotes in customized watchlists are another shared feature, enhancing decision-making for traders. Clearly, Saxo’s mobile trading experience shines brighter with a five-star rating and a #2 ranking out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, making it a highly rated choice for active traders. Meanwhile, Tickmill, with its four-star rating and #29 ranking, still offers a solid mobile trading platform, though lacking some of the enhanced features provided by its competitor.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing Saxo and Tickmill in terms of market research reveals notable differences in their offerings. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring that traders have access to current and reliable information. While Saxo offers advanced analysis tools from Autochartist, a feature not available with Tickmill, Tickmill compensates by offering tools from Acuity Trading, which Saxo lacks. Both platforms also include sentiment-based trading tools to aid decision-making, and they provide economic calendars for global news events.
In terms of overall research quality, Saxo stands out with a 5-star rating and is ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers. This suggests a strong capability to cater to in-depth research needs. In contrast, Tickmill, though reliable with a 4-star rating, is ranked #21, indicating a relative gap in research strength compared to Saxo. For traders prioritizing comprehensive research tools, Saxo might offer a slight edge, yet Tickmill remains a viable choice for those who value different tool integrations.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For newcomers diving into the world of forex and CFDs, Saxo and Tickmill both offer a comprehensive range of educational resources. Each broker provides over 10 educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars that focus on forex or CFDs. If live learning is your preference, both Saxo and Tickmill conduct monthly online educational webinars, ensuring that beginners have ample opportunity to gain valuable knowledge. Additionally, they provide searchable archives of past webinars, allowing learners to revisit topics at their convenience.
When it comes to videos, both brokers cater to different experience levels with at least 10 beginner trading videos and another set for advanced traders. For those needing jargon explanations, Saxo and Tickmill each offer an investor dictionary that includes over 50 terms. However, while both brokers present similar educational offerings, Saxo is rated slightly higher, with a 5-star education rating compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. In terms of rankings, Saxo stands at #13 in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill follows closely at #15.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 Tickmill. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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Both Saxo and Tickmill do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for buying cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers Saxo and Tickmill, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers for account transactions, but while Tickmill supports PayPal and Skrill, Saxo does not; both brokers do support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals.
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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | Saxo | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Saxo | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 637 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 63 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.70 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 91 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 9 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Saxo | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Saxo | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | Saxo | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | Tickmill Review |
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