4.5
4.5
0 pts
Head to head
Winners by category
Full comparison table
Rating
AvaTrade
4.5
Saxo Bank
4.5
Model score
AvaTrade
80
Saxo Bank
80
Regulation
AvaTrade
Operating since 2006, AvaTrade is highly trusted and regulated across numerous jurisdictions. It holds licenses from Tier-1 authorities globally, including ASIC (Australia), CIRO (Canada), JFSA (Japan), and the CBI (Ireland) in the EU.
Saxo Bank
Highly secure and trusted, operating as a licensed bank. It is authorized by seven Tier-1 regulators globally, including the FCA (UK), FSA (Denmark), FINMA (Switzerland), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), and JFSA (Japan).
Spreads
AvaTrade
The broker features fixed and floating spreads depending on the platform. The standard EUR/USD spread typically hovers around 0.9 pips. While competitive for beginners, high-volume traders may find lower all-in costs with raw-spread competitors. Professional accounts (under ESMA) can access tighter spreads down to 0.6 pips.
Saxo Bank
Spreads vary significantly by account tier. Classic accounts have average industry spreads, while VIP accounts can see minimum spreads as low as 0.4 pips on major pairs like the EUR/USD. Saxo provides highly reliable, bank-grade execution liquidity.
Fees
AvaTrade
AvaTrade primarily uses a commission-free pricing model, meaning standard trading costs are built entirely into the spread. They do charge inactivity fees ($50 after three consecutive months of non-use) and a significant administration fee after 12 months of dormancy.
Saxo Bank
Forex trading is generally commission-free, with costs baked into the spread (except for trades under 50,000 units, which incur a small ticket fee). Custody fees and inactivity fees may apply depending on the region and account tier, though they are reduced or waived for higher-tier accounts.
Platforms
AvaTrade
The platform offering is incredibly diverse. It features the MetaTrader suite (MT4/MT5), alongside AvaTrade's excellent proprietary software: the AvaTrade WebTrader, the highly-rated AvaTrade App (mobile), AvaFutures, and AvaOptions.
Saxo Bank
Saxo does not use MetaTrader. Instead, it offers its world-class proprietary suite: SaxoTraderGO (a highly intuitive web and mobile platform) and SaxoTraderPRO (an advanced, customizable desktop platform designed for active professionals).
Account types
AvaTrade
AvaTrade keeps things simple with a standard Retail account (Standard). They also offer Premium/VIP tiers based on deposit size and trading volume, Islamic (swap-free) accounts, and Professional accounts for qualifying European traders looking for higher leverage.
Saxo Bank
Offers three main tiers that determine pricing and perks: Classic, Platinum, and VIP. All accounts operate on the same platforms, but higher tiers unlock dedicated support, exclusive events, and lower spreads.
Min deposit
AvaTrade
$100 to open a standard account.
Saxo Bank
$0 for the entry-level Classic account. (Note: Upgrading to Platinum requires a minimum of $200,000, and VIP requires $1,000,000, or equivalent high-volume trading points).
| Topic | AvaTrade | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Model score | 80 | 80 |
| Regulation | Operating since 2006, AvaTrade is highly trusted and regulated across numerous jurisdictions. It holds licenses from Tier-1 authorities globally, including ASIC (Australia), CIRO (Canada), JFSA (Japan), and the CBI (Ireland) in the EU. | Highly secure and trusted, operating as a licensed bank. It is authorized by seven Tier-1 regulators globally, including the FCA (UK), FSA (Denmark), FINMA (Switzerland), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), and JFSA (Japan). |
| Spreads | The broker features fixed and floating spreads depending on the platform. The standard EUR/USD spread typically hovers around 0.9 pips. While competitive for beginners, high-volume traders may find lower all-in costs with raw-spread competitors. Professional accounts (under ESMA) can access tighter spreads down to 0.6 pips. | Spreads vary significantly by account tier. Classic accounts have average industry spreads, while VIP accounts can see minimum spreads as low as 0.4 pips on major pairs like the EUR/USD. Saxo provides highly reliable, bank-grade execution liquidity. |
| Fees | AvaTrade primarily uses a commission-free pricing model, meaning standard trading costs are built entirely into the spread. They do charge inactivity fees ($50 after three consecutive months of non-use) and a significant administration fee after 12 months of dormancy. | Forex trading is generally commission-free, with costs baked into the spread (except for trades under 50,000 units, which incur a small ticket fee). Custody fees and inactivity fees may apply depending on the region and account tier, though they are reduced or waived for higher-tier accounts. |
| Platforms | The platform offering is incredibly diverse. It features the MetaTrader suite (MT4/MT5), alongside AvaTrade's excellent proprietary software: the AvaTrade WebTrader, the highly-rated AvaTrade App (mobile), AvaFutures, and AvaOptions. | Saxo does not use MetaTrader. Instead, it offers its world-class proprietary suite: SaxoTraderGO (a highly intuitive web and mobile platform) and SaxoTraderPRO (an advanced, customizable desktop platform designed for active professionals). |
| Account types | AvaTrade keeps things simple with a standard Retail account (Standard). They also offer Premium/VIP tiers based on deposit size and trading volume, Islamic (swap-free) accounts, and Professional accounts for qualifying European traders looking for higher leverage. | Offers three main tiers that determine pricing and perks: Classic, Platinum, and VIP. All accounts operate on the same platforms, but higher tiers unlock dedicated support, exclusive events, and lower spreads. |
| Min deposit | $100 to open a standard account. | $0 for the entry-level Classic account. (Note: Upgrading to Platinum requires a minimum of $200,000, and VIP requires $1,000,000, or equivalent high-volume trading points). |