Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo vs Trading 212, 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 assessing online brokers, Saxo and Trading 212 stand out due to their regulatory strength, but they differ significantly in their trust ratings and credentials. Saxo, established in 1992, is not publicly traded but operates as a bank, which adds a layer of security for clients. It boasts a top Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its high standard in the industry. Saxo holds seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating a very high level of trust, along with one Tier-2 license.
On the other hand, Trading 212, founded in 2004, is not a bank and is also not publicly listed. It holds a Trust Score of 80, placing it in the trusted category but below the highest echelon. While it has three Tier-1 licenses, Trading 212 lacks Tier-2 licenses to further its credibility. For investors prioritizing regulation and trust, Saxo presents a sturdier option due to its higher regulatory endorsements and banking status compared to Trading 212.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
If keeping trading costs low is your priority, Saxo generally beats Trading 212 on spreads for forex and CFDs, especially if you qualify for higher account tiers. Saxo is rated 5/5 stars for Commissions and Fees and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 is rated 4/5 stars and ranks #50 out of 63.
Saxo is commission-free for forex (it earns from the spread), with a $3 per side ticket fee only if you trade less than 50,000 units per month. As of November 2023, average EUR/USD spreads were 1.1 pips (Classic), 1.0 pips (Platinum), and 0.9 pips (VIP), with minimums about 0.2 pips lower. Classic now has a $0 minimum deposit; Platinum requires $200,000, and VIP $1,000,000, though volume-based loyalty upgrades are available (e.g., roughly $40M traded for Platinum; ~$167M for VIP, each for 12 months). Saxo also waives custody fees on share trading if you opt into securities lending.
Trading 212 advertises zero-commission trading, but you pay the spread. For April 2025, its published average EUR/USD spread was 2.7 pips—well above the industry average—making it pricier for frequent forex and CFD traders. Minimum deposits are low (Invest: €1; CFD: €10), which is appealing for newcomers, but if tight spreads and lower ongoing trading costs matter most, Saxo typically offers better value, particularly on its higher-tier accounts.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 2.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Saxo vs Trading 212: When it comes to range of investments, Saxo offers far more choice. Saxo lists about 70,000 tradeable symbols and 190 forex pairs, while Trading 212 has around 7,868 symbols with 146 forex pairs. Both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and both provide access to U.S. and international exchange‑traded shares (so you can buy companies like Apple on Nasdaq or Vodafone in London).
Feature-wise, Saxo supports copy trading, while Trading 212 does not. Neither broker lets you buy actual crypto, but both offer cryptocurrency derivatives. For range of investments, each earns 5 out of 5 stars from ForexBrokers.com; however, Saxo ranks higher (#3 of 63) than Trading 212 (#16 of 63), underscoring its wider selection.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 146 |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms of Saxo and Trading 212, both brokers offer unique strengths. Saxo provides a Windows-based desktop platform, appealing to traders who prefer robust software applications for intensive trading activities. Alternatively, Trading 212 opts for convenience with a strictly web-based platform, catering to users who value accessibility from any browser. Both brokers offer proprietary trading platforms with features like simulated trading, allowing users to practice and hone their strategies without risking real money. However, Saxo distinguishes itself with its advanced trading tools, including 60 adjustable columns for watch lists and comprehensive charting options featuring 20 drawing tools.
While both Saxo and Trading 212 enable you to trade directly from stock charts, Saxo offers added value through features like copy trading, which Trading 212 lacks. Despite not supporting popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 or 5, both brokers ensure a seamless trading experience through their in-house platforms. Saxo shines with a perfect 5-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, ranking #1 out of 63 brokers listed by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Trading 212 holds a 4-star rating, ranking #20, highlighting Saxo's superior toolkit for advanced traders.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Saxo and Trading 212 both provide comprehensive mobile trading experiences, available on iPhone and Android platforms. Each app features stock and forex price alerts and the option to synchronize watchlist symbols with clients' online accounts. This means users can effortlessly keep track of their preferences regardless of the device. While both apps offer the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, they also automatically save these drawings for a seamless experience.
Where these apps differ is in the number of technical studies available for charting; Saxo offers 64 studies, whereas Trading 212 provides a more extensive selection of 104 studies. Both apps support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, but when rated overall for mobile trading, Saxo earns a 5-star rating compared to Trading 212's 4-star rating. Additionally, Saxo is highly ranked at #2 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds the #17 spot, highlighting Saxo's slightly superior user experience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 104 |
| 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.
Saxo stands out for market research with a 5-star rating and a #1 ranking out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 holds 3.5 stars and ranks #45. Saxo provides daily market commentary, plus forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones—something Trading 212 also offers. Both brokers include a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning and an economic calendar covering global events.
When it comes to research tools, Saxo offers Autochartist for technical or fundamental ideas, whereas Trading 212 does not. Neither broker integrates Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. In short, Saxo delivers a deeper set of built-in research features, while Trading 212 covers the basics with quality news, a calendar, and sentiment data but skips daily commentary and advanced third‑party tools.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| 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.
Comparing Saxo vs Trading 212 for beginner education: both brokers offer plenty of forex and CFD learning content, including at least 10 focused pieces on these markets. Each has a large video library with 10+ beginner videos and 10+ advanced videos, plus an investor dictionary with 50+ terms. Both also provide a searchable archive of recorded client webinars. The key difference is live learning: Saxo hosts educational webinars at least once a month, while Trading 212 does not.
Ratings reflect that gap. Saxo earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 earns 3.5 stars and ranks #21. If you want live sessions to ask questions in real time, Saxo has the edge. If you prefer self-paced learning with videos, articles, and a glossary, both platforms cover the basics well for beginners.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| 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 Trading 212. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
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
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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Both Saxo and Trading 212 do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Saxo and Trading 212 support deposits and withdrawals via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, Trading 212 additionally offers ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options, which are not available with Saxo.
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 | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2004 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 146 | |
| 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). |
| Cost | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 2.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 104 | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Saxo | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review | Trading 212 Review |
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