IG Markets
BaFin/FCA
Saxo Bank
DFSA/FCA
IG Markets vs Saxo Bank
Head-to-Head Comparison 2026
By SofiaOur Verdict
IG Markets has a higher rating of 4.6/5 compared to Saxo Bank (4.5/5). Saxo Bank offers 9 instrument types, while IG Markets offers 7. The minimum deposit is lower at Saxo Bank with 0 €. IG Markets is BaFin-regulated, while Saxo Bank is supervised by DFSA/FCA. IG Markets has been in the market since 1974, making it the more experienced provider.
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IG Markets oder Saxo Bank?
Side by side. Decided with knowledge.
See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.
- Fees
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- Regulation
- Matching lessons
Comparison Table
| Criteria | IG Markets | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 (2500 reviews)✓ | 4.5/5 (1900 reviews) |
| Regulation | BaFin/FCA | DFSA/FCA |
| Fees | Spreads from 0.6 pip on forex, from 0.1% on stock CFDs | Stocks from $1, options from $1, forex from 0.4 pip |
| Min. Deposit | 300 € | 0 € |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Options, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, ETFs, Bonds, CFDs, Commodities, Mutual Funds |
| Platforms | IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, Saxo App |
| Options Trading | Yes, vanilla options and barriers | Yes, comprehensive options trading on global exchanges |
| Spread (typical) | EUR/USD from 0.6 pip (typical) | EUR/USD from 0.4 pip (Classic), 0.2 pip (VIP) |
| Execution Speed | ~17 ms | — |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month after 24 months of inactivity | None |
| Founded | 1974 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | London | Copenhagen |
Detailed Comparison
Fee Comparison
IG Markets: Spreads from 0.6 pip on forex, from 0.1% on stock CFDs. Minimum deposit: 300 €. Spread: EUR/USD from 0.6 pip (typical). Inactivity fee: £12/month after 24 months of inactivity.
Saxo Bank: Stocks from $1, options from $1, forex from 0.4 pip. Minimum deposit: 0 €. Spread: EUR/USD from 0.4 pip (Classic), 0.2 pip (VIP).
Execution Quality
IG Markets
Execution: ~17 ms
Saxo Bank
No data available
Product Range
IG Markets (7 categories)
Saxo Bank (9 categories)
Trading Platforms
IG Markets
- IG Platform
- MT4
- ProRealTime
- L2 Dealer
Saxo Bank
- SaxoTraderGO
- SaxoTraderPRO
- Saxo App
Regulation & Security
IG Markets is regulated by BaFin/FCA (HQ: London).
Saxo Bank is regulated by DFSA/FCA (HQ: Copenhagen).
Who Is It For?
IG Markets
World-leading CFD provider with 50 years of experience
✓ Over 17,000 markets available
✓ Vanilla options and barriers available
✓ Very long company history since 1974
✗ Minimum deposit €300
✗ High fees for small accounts
Saxo Bank
Premium investment bank with over 72,000 tradable instruments
✓ Over 72,000 tradable instruments
✓ Professional platforms
✓ Comprehensive options trading
✗ Higher fees for entry-level account
✗ Platform complex for beginners
In-Depth Analysis: IG Markets vs Saxo Bank
Costs and entry: The minimum deposit clearly separates them — IG requires €300, Saxo Bank starts at €0. On trading costs IG trades forex from 0.6 pip (EUR/USD typically from 0.6 pip) and stock CFDs from 0.1%; Saxo Bank charges stocks from $1, options from $1 and forex from 0.4 pip (Classic), 0.2 pip (VIP). On forex spreads Saxo leads at 0.4 pip, while IG offers one of the fastest executions in this comparison at ~17 ms (Saxo's execution time is not stated in the data).
Product philosophy: Here the two differ fundamentally. IG (founded 1974, London) is CFD- and derivatives-oriented, trading CFDs, forex, options (vanilla options and barriers), indices, commodities, stock CFDs and crypto. Saxo Bank (founded 1992, Copenhagen) is an investment house with a very broad range of real securities: stocks, options, futures, forex, ETFs, bonds, CFDs, commodities and mutual funds — including comprehensive options trading on global exchanges.
Regulation, platform and verdict: IG is BaFin/FCA-regulated and offers the IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer; Saxo (DFSA/FCA) relies on SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO and the Saxo app. Ratings: IG 4.6/5, Saxo 4.5/5. For traders seeking CFDs, forex and derivative options structures (barriers) with very fast execution, IG is the stronger choice; those wanting to build a broad portfolio of real stocks, bonds, futures and exchange-traded options with no minimum deposit are better served by Saxo Bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
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IG Markets
World-leading CFD provider with 50 years of experience
Open Account →From 300 € min. deposit
Saxo Bank
Premium investment bank with over 72,000 tradable instruments
Open Account →From 0 € min. deposit