IG Markets and Saxo Capital Markets offer traders excellent choices of trading platforms. The former maintains one of the most competitive MT4 trading environments due to its 18 add-ons and the Autochartist plugin, while the latter only offers the core version. Both brokers offer cutting-edge proprietary trading platforms, but IG Markets also features ProRealTime. Saxo Capital Markets also provides traders with OpenAPI for Excel, services by TradingView, and MultiCharts versus API trading for advanced algorithmic trading solutions at IG Markets.
Both brokers maintain industry-leading institutional divisions and provide retail traders with quality research and education.
We have conducted an in-depth review of IG Markets and Saxo Capital Markets to determine which one presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- IG Markets versus Saxo Capital Markets - Verdict
 |  | |
Headquarters | Australia | United Kingdom |
Regulators | N/A | FCA |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | N/A | |
Owned by Public Company? | N/A | |
Year Established | 2012 | 1974 |
Execution Type(s) | ECN/STP, Market Maker | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | A$3,000 | 300€ |
Negative Balance Protection | N/A | |
Trading Platform(s) | Proprietary platform, Web-based | MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | N/A | 0.9 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | N/A | 1.4 pip |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | N/A | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | N/A | $0.30 |
Retail Loss Rate | N/A | Undisclosed |
Minimum Raw Spreads | N/A | Not applicable |
Minimum Standard Spreads | N/A | 0.8 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex | N/A | Commission-free |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Features and Platforms
| | |
MT4 | ||
MT5 | ||
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons | N/A | |
cTrader | ||
Proprietary Platform | ||
Automated Trading | ||
Social/Copy Trading | N/A | |
DOM? | N/A | |
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Scalping | ||
Hedging | ||
One-Click Trading | N/A | |
OCO Orders | ||
Interest on Margin | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Noteworthy:
IG Markets and Saxo Capital Markets are leading international brokers and liquidity providers. They offer the best conditions for active traders with custom-tailored solutions and volume-based rebate programs.
Available Markets
| | |
Currency Pairs | N/A | |
Cryptocurrencies | N/A | |
Commodities | ||
Crude Oil | ||
Gold | ||
Metals | ||
Equity Indices | ||
Stocks (non-CFDs) | N/A | |
Bonds | N/A | |
ETFs | ||
Options | N/A | |
Futures | N/A | |
Synthetics | N/A | |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
IG Markets is the leading CFD broker and takes the lead over Saxo Capital Markets, which offers a broader equity selection. Both brokers offer an excellent choice of currency pairs, where Saxo Capital Markets comes out ahead. CFD traders will find IG Markets better versus Saxo Capital Markets for investors.
Typical Spreads and Fees
| | |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | N/A | 0.9 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | N/A | 1.4 pip |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | N/A | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | N/A | $0.30 |
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin | N/A | $90 |
Minimum Raw Spreads | N/A | Not applicable |
Minimum Standard Spreads | N/A | 0.8 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex | N/A | Commission-free |
Deposit Fee | N/A | |
Withdrawal Fee | N/A | |
Inactivity Fee | N/A | $12 per month after 24 months |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
While minimum spreads at Saxo Capital Markets are lower, average costs remain cheaper at IG Markets. Both brokers offer volume-based rebate programs. IG Markets lowers its trading costs below Saxo Capital Markets, where fees depend on the portfolio balance, as traders must qualify for capital-intensive VIP accounts.
Security and Trust
| | |
Country of the Regulator | N/A | Australia, Bermuda, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United States |
Name of the Regulator | N/A | FCA |
Regulatory License Number | N/A | 195355, 378/19, 10148759, confirmed, but no regulaary license number, F001780, 41393, 1489, unconfirmed, 220440, 18923, 0509630, 54814 |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
IG Markets is a publicly listed company and FTSE250 constituent, while Saxo Bank is a Danish-based and Chinese-owned investment bank and online brokerage. Both remain equally secure and trustworthy.
Saxo Capital Markets vs IG Markets – Verdict
Saxo Capital Markets
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Innovative proprietary trading platforms alongside the core MT4 | Limited deposit and withdrawal methods |
| Competitive trading costs, especially for VIP clients | Higher minimum deposit, which increases based on geographic location |
| Superior asset selection and market exposure to 50+ global exchanges | |
| Quality research and education for beginner traders |
IG Markets
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent choice of trading platforms and superior asset selection | Limited deposit and withdrawal methods |
| Competitive trading costs with a volume-based cash rebate program | Higher minimum deposit requirement, but within a reasonable demand |
| Outstanding trading environment for algorithmic trading, including API support | |
| Comprehensive educational tools for beginner traders |
IG Markets and Saxo Capital Markets offer industry-leading services and deep liquidity with low trading costs. IG Markets former is a better choice for traders, while the latter caters better to investors, and both offer in-house managed thematic portfolios. IG Markets takes the lead overall due to its edge in trading costs.
You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:
FAQs
Is IG reliable for trading?
IG ranks among the most reliable brokers industry wide.
Does Saxo Bank allow scalping?
Saxo Bank allows scalping and has no restrictions on it.
Is Saxo Capital Markets regulated in the USA?
Saxo Capital Markets is unregulated in the USA and does not cater to US-based traders.
Is my money safe with IG?
Client deposits at IG are segregated from corporate funds and held with Tier 1 banks, making them safe.
What happens if IG goes bust?
IG is a publicly listed company and FTSE250 constituent, making a default highly unlikely. Should IG default, the outcome depends on the subsidiary, with various jurisdictions implementing independent client protection schemes.
Is IG regulated?
IG has regulatory licenses and oversight in ten jurisdictions.
Is IG trading free?
IG trading is not free, but IG maintains one of the lowest pricing environments among all competitors.