Broker comparison
Which broker fits your needs?
Platforms, products and fees side by side.
Checked on 22 October 2026
See comparison
Saxo Bank
SwissquoteSummary
Both offer genuine options trading and professional platforms — the difference is the entry ticket and the running costs. Saxo Bank (4.5/5, Saxo Bank A/S: Finanstilsynet) starts with no minimum deposit, states more than 72,000 instruments, stocks from $1; options priced by market, account tier and residence and forex from 0.4 pip. Swissquote (4.4/5, FINMA) asks for a CHF 1,000 minimum, charges stocks from CHF 5 and a CHF 80 quarterly custody fee, but brings a Swiss banking licence, crypto trading and MT4 and MT5. On cost and range Saxo leads; for Swiss bank security and crypto, Swissquote.
Saxo BankPremium investment bank with over 72,000 tradable instruments
SwissquoteSwiss online bank with premium trading and crypto offering
At a glance
| Criterion | Saxo Bank | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, Saxo App | Swissquote eTrading, MT4, MT5, Swissquote App |
| Product types | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, ETFs, Bonds, CFDs, Commodities, Mutual Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds, Crypto |
| Options trading | Yes, listed options: Eurex, US | Yes, options trading available via eTrading |
| Fee model | Eurex: €0.75 per contract, no minimum (indicative international prices); US: USD 2.00 per contract (Classic), USD 1.00 (Platinum), USD 0.75 (VIP); indicative international prices, residence and trade ticket determine terms, additional costs may apply | Stocks from CHF 5, forex spreads from 1.3 pip (Standard) |
| Minimum deposit | 0 € | 1.000 CHF |
| Regulation | Danish FSA (Finanstilsynet) | FINMA |
| More information | Details | Details |
SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, Saxo App
Swissquote eTrading, MT4, MT5, Swissquote App
Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, ETFs, Bonds, CFDs, Commodities, Mutual Funds
Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds, Crypto
Yes, listed options: Eurex, US
Yes, options trading available via eTrading
Eurex: €0.75 per contract, no minimum (indicative international prices); US: USD 2.00 per contract (Classic), USD 1.00 (Platinum), USD 0.75 (VIP); indicative international prices, residence and trade ticket determine terms, additional costs may apply
Stocks from CHF 5, forex spreads from 1.3 pip (Standard)
0 €
1.000 CHF
Danish FSA (Finanstilsynet)
FINMA
Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.
Detailed comparison
Compare total costs, not just the order fee.
Saxo BankSwissquoteThe relevant costs depend on market, currency, order size and trading style.
Worked out
Typical months at Saxo Bank and Swissquote, priced from their published fee schedules. Spreads, FX and exchange fees come on top depending on the venue.
| Scenario | Saxo Bank | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| ETF savings plan, ≈ €200 a month | €3Single ETF buy on Xetra, Classic: 0.08% min €3 → €3; savings plan not verified | CHF 3.85Single ETF Leader buy (SIX) < CHF 500: CHF 3 + CHF 0.85 real-time fee; savings-plan tariff not published |
| 10 stock buys of ≈ €1,000 a month | €30Xetra, Classic: 0.08% min €3 → €3 × 10 | CHF 58.50SIX, CHF 500.01–1,000: CHF 5 + CHF 0.85 real-time fee per order × 10 (excl. stamp duty) |
| 10 US option contracts a month | US$20US options, Classic: $2.00 per contract × 10; no minimum ticket fee | US$15US stock options USD 1.50 per contract × 10 in one order (min USD 5/order), excl. exchange fees |
| 10 lots of EUR/USD a month | US$110EUR/USD Classic: indicative minimum spread 1.1 pips × $10 × 10; no commission | US$170Standard account: EUR/USD spread from 1.7 pips (minimum) × $10 × 10, no commission |
| One BTC purchase of ≈ €1,000 | —No spot crypto purchase listed among Saxo products | CHF 9.50Standard tier taker 1% × CHF 950 |
| Custody and account fee per year | €18.75Custody fee Classic 0.15% p.a. + 25% Danish VAT (EU residents) × €10,000 | CHF 86.48Custody fee CHF 20/quarter (assets up to CHF 50,000) × 4 + 8.1% VAT |
Checked on 22 October 2026. Prices can change; the current fee schedule is what counts. Sources: home.saxo · home.saxo · home.saxo · home.saxo · home.saxo · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com · swissquote.com
Order type, venue and liquidity affect execution.
Saxo BankCheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationSwissquoteCheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationSaxo BankSwissquoteCategories come from broker profiles. Check specific markets and permissions before deciding.
Saxo BankSaxoTraderGO · SaxoTraderPRO · Saxo App
Saxo Bank offers three trading platforms: SaxoTraderGO is the web-based main platform with modern design, comprehensive charting tools, option chains, stock screeners, and integrated research reports. SaxoTraderPRO caters to professional traders with multi-monitor support, extended order book, algorithmic trading, and real-time analyses. The Saxo App provides the full range of features on mobile, including options trading and portfolio management.
Explore platformSwissquoteSwissquote eTrading · MT4 · MT5 · Swissquote App
Swissquote offers the Swissquote eTrading platform, MT4, MT5, and the Swissquote App. The eTrading platform is the main platform for trading stocks, options, bonds, and funds with real-time market data, chart analysis, and portfolio management. MT4 and MT5 are available for forex and CFD trading with automated strategies. The Swissquote App provides the full range of features on mobile, including crypto trading, securities trading, and banking functions.
Explore platformSaxo Bank
Saxo Bank A/S (Hellerup, Denmark)
Swissquote
Swissquote Bank SA (Gland, Switzerland)
Regulation does not protect against market losses. What counts is the entity you sign the contract with.
Your investor profile
Saxo BankFor investors in the EEA who want a Danish bank with a professional platform; order and custody fees come in below Swissquote’s in our scenarios, only US options cost more.
SwissquoteFor investors in Switzerland who want a FINMA-regulated Swiss bank with securities, FX and crypto under one roof — at higher order and custody fees, but cheaper US options.
Find the broker that fits
Side by side. Decided with knowledge.
See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.
The table shows what they cost. These lessons show how they earn, which is what the difference is made of.
Entry and fees: The most striking difference is the entry barrier. Saxo requires no minimum deposit (€0) and trades stocks from $1; options priced by market, account tier and residence plus forex from 0.4 pip (Classic) or 0.2 pip (VIP). Swissquote requires a CHF 1,000 minimum deposit, charges stocks from CHF 5 and forex spreads from 1.3 pip on the Standard account (0.6 pip Premium); it also levies a custody fee of CHF 80 per quarter on securities accounts. For cost-conscious investors, Saxo is the cheaper base.
Products and platforms: Saxo offers one of the market's broadest ranges with over 72,000 instruments — stocks, options, futures, forex, ETFs, bonds, CFDs, commodities and mutual funds — and comprehensive options trading on global exchanges via SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO. Swissquote covers stocks, ETFs, forex, options, futures, bonds, funds and cryptocurrencies; options run through the eTrading platform, and MT4 and MT5 are also available. Crypto is tradable at Swissquote but is not listed among Saxo's instruments.
Profile and verdict: Saxo (rated 4.5/5, founded 1992 in Copenhagen) is supervised by Finanstilsynet (Saxo Bank A/S, Denmark) and positions itself as a premium investment bank with excellent research. Swissquote (4.4/5, founded 1996 in Gland) is FINMA-regulated and scores with a Swiss banking license, high deposit protection and integrated crypto trading. Those seeking maximum product breadth, low costs and strong options trading with no minimum deposit choose Saxo; those wanting Swiss banking security and crypto bundled in a full bank suit Swissquote.
Your questions
Your next step
Saxo BankPremium investment bank with over 72,000 tradable instruments
Open accountRead reviewSwissquoteSwiss online bank with premium trading and crypto offering
Open accountRead reviewThe guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.
