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Interactive Brokers (IBKR) vs Saxo Bank: 2023 Comparison

Franklin Carneiro da Silva| Updated: June 23, 2023

Are you confused about whether to choose Interactive Brokers vs Saxo Bank as a broker for your investing needs?

In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Interactive Brokers vs Saxo Bank to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.

Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!

Ideal for
Every investor (best overall)

Interactive Brokers is a global online broker and publicly listed company which surpassed major financial crises, showing resilience and a rigorous risk management process.

It offers an advanced investment platform that includes a wide range of products (stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, bonds, and currencies) from 150 markets.

Beginners and intermediate investors have educational tools to explore, but the learning curve will be steep. Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs.

Ideal for
Advanced traders with a focus on reliability and security

Saxo Bank is a renowned online trading and investment bank that offers a wide range of financial services to individual and institutional clients.

Saxo Bank offers a range of trading platforms, including SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO, providing clients with user-friendly and advanced options to access global markets.

Security is a paramount concern for Saxo Bank, which is evident through its strong regulatory oversight, encryption protocols, and segregated accounts.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Low commissions on US stock trading (for EUR based accounts)
  • No monthly inactivity fee
  • The broadest product and markets range in the brokerage industry
  • Demo account
  • Excellent reputation (founded in 1978)
  • Extensive research and Education tools
  • Has a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs, ideal for novice investors, IBKR GlobalTrader.

Cons

  • Complicated and lengthy account opening process (but fully online)
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Website is difficult to navigate
  • Interactive Advisors (Robo-advisor feature) is only available for US customers

Pros

  • Excellent research materials
  • Outstanding trading platforms (SaxoTraderPRO and SaxoTraderGO)
  • Extensive range of investment products
  • Long track record
  • Supervised by worldwide top-tier regulators

Cons

  • High minimum deposit ($2,000)
  • Fees higher than average
  • Fee structure is complex
  • Does not accept US residents
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) vs Saxo Bank: 2023 Comparison 2
Saxo
  •  
  • General Information
  • Founded in
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocks
  • EU stocks
  • ETFs
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Custody Fee
  • Inactivity Fee
  • Withdrawal Fee
  • Connectivity Fee
  • Currency Conversion Fee
  • Security
  • Regulators
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
  • Interactive BrokersAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in1978
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum€/$/£0
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)EUR: 2.63%; USD: 4.58%; GBP: 3.90%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs*On Stocks, Indices, Metals, and Forex.
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocksTiered plan: $0.0035 per share**Min. $0.35; Max. 1% of trade value.
  • EU stocksTiered plan: 0.05% of trade value**Min. €1.25; Max. €29.
  • ETFsTiered plan: 0.05% of trade value**Min. €1.25; Max. €99.
  • CryptocurrenciesUp to 0.18% of the trade value**Only in the US.
  • Custody Fee€/$/£0
  • Inactivity Fee€/$/£0
  • Withdrawal Fee€/$/£0**One free withdrawal per month
  • Connectivity Fee€/$/£0
  • Currency Conversion Fee0.0020%
  • Security
  • RegulatorsFINRA, SIPC, SEC, CFTC, IIROC, FCA, CBI, AFSL, SFC, SEBI, MAS and MNB.
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)

    Up to £85,000 for clients under IB U.K. Limited; Up to €20,000 for clients under IB Ireland Limited.

  • Saxo BankAsset 3
  • General Information
  • Founded in1992
  • Demo Account
  • Account Minimum$0 to $10,000, depending on the country**$/€2,000 for international accounts; £500 (UK)
  • Interest on unninvested cash (annually)USD: Up to 4.31%; EUR: Up to 2.55%
  • Products
  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Bonds
  • Funds
  • Options
  • Futures
  • CFDs
  • Leverage Products
  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies*Only 9 Crypto FX pairs
  • Commodities
  • Fees
  • US stocksFrom $0.01, $0.015 or $0.02 per share**Min. $1, $5 or $7, depending on account type: VIP, Platinum, Classic
  • EU stocksBetween 0.05% and 0.35%**Min. between €6 and €12 depending on exchange and account type
  • ETFsFrom $1**Depending on exchange and account type
  • Cryptocurrencies-
  • Custody FeeMin. $5**Between 0.05% and 0.15% depending on account type
  • Inactivity Fee£25 (UK) after one quarter of inactivity, $150 after 6 months of inactivity (International)
  • Withdrawal Fee€/$/£0
  • Connectivity Fee€/$/£0
  • Currency Conversion FeeBetween 0.3% and 1.0%**Depending on account type
  • Security
  • RegulatorsASIC, FSA, FCA, SFC, MAS, FINMA, DFSA.
  • Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)

    Depends on where the account is opened: up to €100,000 for cash and €20,000 for securities (Europe); up to £85,000 (UK); CHF 100,000 (Switzerland); HKD 500,000 (Hong Kong)

Franklin Carneiro da Silva
Co-Founder & Fintech Analyst

Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.

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