| Feature | eToro | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 1992 |
| Regulation | CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), FINRA (US), FSA (Seychelles) | DFSA (Denmark), FCA (UK), FINMA (Switzerland), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore) |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $2,000 |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary eToro Platform, Web-based, Mobile App | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, Web-based, Mobile App |
| Tradable Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Options |
| Number of Instruments | Over 2,000 | Over 72,000 |
| Spreads | Variable, starting from 1 pip for major forex pairs | Variable, starting from 0.4 pips for major forex pairs |
| Commission on Stocks | Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs | Commissions apply, varying by market and account tier |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 for retail clients (higher for professional clients) | Up to 1:30 for retail clients (higher for professional clients) |
| Social Trading | Yes, features like CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios | No |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | No |
| Customer Support | 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone | 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone |
| Educational Resources | Extensive, including webinars, tutorials, and a demo account | Comprehensive, including webinars, tutorials, market analysis, and research tools |
| Research Tools | Market news, analysis, and social sentiment indicators | Advanced research tools, including TradingView integration and proprietary market insights |
| Deposit Methods | Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller | Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfer |
| Withdrawal Fees | $5 per withdrawal | No withdrawal fees |
| Inactivity Fees | $10 per month after 12 months of inactivity | Up to $150 after 6 months of inactivity |
| Regulatory Protection | Investor compensation up to €20,000 (depending on jurisdiction) | Investor compensation up to €100,000 (depending on jurisdiction) |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Islamic Account | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading App Rating | 4.1/5 (iOS) and 4.2/5 (Android) | 4.5/5 (iOS) and 4.3/5 (Android) |
| Account Types | Standard, Demo, Islamic | Classic, Platinum, VIP, Professional |
| Account Currencies | USD | USD, EUR, and multiple other currencies |
| Trading Instruments | Over 2,000 instruments, including Forex, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies | Over 72,000 instruments, including Forex, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Options |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary eToro Platform (Web-based), Mobile App | SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, Web-based, Mobile App |
| Social/Copy Trading | Yes, features like CopyTrader and CopyPortfolios | No |
| Research and Analysis Tools | Market news, analysis, social sentiment indicators | Advanced research tools, including TradingView integration, proprietary market insights |
| Educational Resources | Extensive, including webinars, tutorials, demo account | Comprehensive, including webinars, tutorials, market analysis, research tools |
| Customer Support | 24/5 via live chat, email, phone | 24/5 via live chat, email, phone |
| Deposit Methods | Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller | Credit/Debit Cards, Bank Transfer |
| Withdrawal Fees | $5 per withdrawal | No withdrawal fees |
| Inactivity Fees | $10 per month after 12 months of inactivity | Up to $150 after 6 months of inactivity |
| Regulatory Protection | Investor compensation up to €20,000 (depending on jurisdiction) | Investor compensation up to €100,000 (depending on jurisdiction) |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Islamic Account | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading App Rating | 4.1/5 (iOS) and 4.2/5 (Android) | 4.5/5 (iOS) and 4.3/5 (Android) |
| Market Access | Global markets, focuses heavily on U.S., Europe, and crypto | Over 50 global exchanges, including Europe, Asia, U.S., and emerging markets |
| Types of Orders | Market, Limit, Stop Loss, Take Profit, Trailing Stop | Market, Limit, Stop Loss, Take Profit, Trailing Stop, One-Cancels-Other (OCO) |
| Algorithmic Trading | Not supported | Supported via API access and integration with platforms like MetaTrader and third-party APIs |
| API Access | No | Yes, for advanced traders through Saxo OpenAPI |
| Bond Trading | Not available | Available, with access to government and corporate bonds globally |
| Options Trading | Not available | Available, with detailed options strategies and global derivatives markets |
| Futures Trading | Not available | Yes, includes futures on commodities, indices, and interest rates |
| Interest on Cash Balances | No interest | Interest earned on cash balances (depends on the account tier and currency) |
| Margin Trading | Yes, available up to regulatory limits | Yes, available with competitive margin rates based on account type and market |
| Portfolio Management | CopyPortfolios (pre-allocated thematic investments) | Managed portfolios available for high-net-worth clients |
| Corporate and Institutional Accounts | No | Yes, offers corporate and institutional account management |
| Trading Fees for Futures and Options | Not applicable | Competitive tiered fees based on volume, often lower for Platinum and VIP clients |
| Corporate Actions Handling | Automatic for dividends, splits, and rights issues | Comprehensive, includes participation in rights issues and corporate events |
| News and Market Insights | News aggregation, sentiment-based insights | Access to Reuters, Dow Jones, and in-depth proprietary research reports |
| Advanced Charting Tools | Basic to moderate charting tools, multiple indicators | Advanced tools with multi-chart views, drawing tools, and TradingView compatibility |
| TradingView Integration | No | Yes |
| Hedging and Short Selling | Limited (can short only via CFDs) | Full hedging and short-selling capability, including direct market access |
| Fees for FX Trading | Spread-based only (variable spreads) | Tight spreads, with optional commission-based structure for tighter bid/ask spreads |
| Custom Watchlists | Yes | Yes |
| Account Tier Benefits | eToro Club tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond) offer perks like live webinars | Saxo’s Classic, Platinum, and VIP accounts offer lower fees, exclusive reports, and events |
| Dividend Reinvestment (DRIP) | No | Yes, on certain instruments like stocks and ETFs |
| Interest Rate Swaps for Overnight Positions | Yes, applicable to leveraged trades | Yes, based on the funding rates for margin products |
| Financial Advisory Services | No | Yes, for VIP and wealth management clients |
| Crypto Wallet Support | Yes, eToro Money crypto wallet | No dedicated wallet, crypto traded only through derivatives |
eToro excels with social trading, low stock fees, and a beginner-friendly platform, while Saxo Bank caters to professionals with extensive market access, advanced tools, and premium research. Choose based on your trading style and investment goals.