Plus500 vs Saxo Bank 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
Plus500 suits traders who value lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $2000). Saxo Bank suits traders who prioritise tighter spreads, MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (65,000 vs 2,000).
Head to head
| Plus500 | Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 509909 | DFSA DF000029 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $2000 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips |
| Instruments | 2,000+ | 65,000+ |
| MetaTrader | No | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 3mo | $100/mo after 6mo |
| Founded | 2008 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Haifa, Israel | Copenhagen, Denmark |
Regulation: Plus500 vs Saxo Bank
Plus500 is regulated by FCA under licence 509909 (Plus500UK Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Saxo Bank is regulated by DFSA under licence DF000029 (Saxo Bank A/S (DIFC)). The DFSA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
Plus500's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. Saxo Bank's EUR/USD spread is 0.4 pips. Saxo Bank offers tighter spreads on this pair.
Plus500 charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 3 months without trading. Saxo Bank charges an inactivity fee of $100/month after 6 months.
Platforms and tools
Saxo Bank supports MetaTrader. Plus500 uses a proprietary platform only — traders who need MT4/MT5 for automated strategies should choose Saxo Bank.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
Plus500 requires a minimum deposit of $100. Saxo Bank requires $2000. Plus500 has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider Plus500.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
Plus500 also has the lower minimum deposit of $100, making it easier to start with a small amount. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Saxo Bank is better for experienced traders who need MetaTrader. Saxo Bank's tighter spreads (0.4 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. Saxo Bank offers more instruments (65,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: Plus500 vs Saxo Bank
Choose Plus500 if you want lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $2000). The FCA licence (509909) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Saxo Bank if you want tighter spreads, MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (65,000 vs 2,000). The DFSA licence (DF000029) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Plus500 vs Saxo Bank: which is better?
Plus500 is better for lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $2000). Saxo Bank is better for tighter spreads, MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (65,000 vs 2,000). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is Plus500 or Saxo Bank safer?
Both Plus500 (FCA 509909) and Saxo Bank (DFSA DF000029) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for Plus500 and Saxo Bank?
Plus500 minimum deposit: $100. Saxo Bank minimum deposit: $2000. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do Plus500 and Saxo Bank have MetaTrader?
Saxo Bank supports MT4 and MT5. Plus500 does not offer MetaTrader.