| Feature | Deriv | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Year Established | 1999 | 1992 |
| Regulation | Regulated by multiple authorities, including the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) | Regulated by top-tier authorities, including the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA), the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) |
| Trading Instruments | Forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, synthetic indices | Forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary platforms: DTrader, DBot, Deriv MT5 (DMT5) | Proprietary platforms: SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO |
| Minimum Deposit | As low as $5 | Typically $2,000, varies by region |
| Leverage | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:100 for retail clients, higher for professional clients |
| Spreads | Variable, starting from 0.5 pips | Variable, starting from 0.4 pips |
| Commission Fees | Zero commissions on most accounts; some account types may have commissions | Commissions apply on certain products, such as stocks and ETFs; fees vary by market |
| Deposit and Withdrawal Methods | Bank wire, credit/debit cards, e-wallets (e.g., Skrill, Neteller), cryptocurrencies | Bank wire, credit/debit cards, e-wallets (varies by region) |
| Deposit and Withdrawal Fees | Generally no deposit fees; withdrawal fees depend on the method | No deposit fees; withdrawal fees may apply, depending on the method |
| Account Types | Standard account, Financial STP account, Synthetic account | Classic, Platinum, VIP (tiers based on trading volume and account balance) |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Educational Resources | Webinars, tutorials, trading guides | Extensive resources, including webinars, courses, market analysis |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support via live chat and email | 24/5 support via phone, email, and live chat |
| Mobile Trading | Yes, through mobile-responsive platforms and apps | Yes, through SaxoTraderGO mobile app |
| Automated Trading | Yes, via DBot and API access | Yes, via APIs and third-party integrations |
| Social Trading | No | No |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Islamic (Swap-Free) Accounts | Yes | Yes, available upon request |
| Languages Supported | Multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese | Multiple languages, including English, German, French, Chinese |
| Research Tools | Basic charting tools, economic calendar | Advanced research tools, including in-depth market analysis and reports |
| Security of Funds | Segregated client funds, SSL encryption | Segregated client funds, SSL encryption, member of investor compensation schemes |
| Additional Features | Synthetic indices offering, catering to traders seeking volatility instruments | AutoInvest feature for automated monthly investing, extensive market access across 50+ exchanges |
| Algorithmic Trading Compatibility | Supports custom API integrations, Python and MT5 for algorithmic strategies | Supports OpenAPI for custom integrations, offers a developer portal for building trading algorithms |
| Charting Tools | Basic indicators, trend lines, and chart types; limited advanced analytics | Advanced charting with 50+ indicators, multiple chart types, and drawing tools |
| Order Execution Speed | Fast execution with minimal slippage, optimized for high-frequency trading | High-speed execution with direct market access for advanced traders |
| Margin Requirements | Flexible margin requirements, varies based on asset type and leverage | Tiered margin requirements based on account type and instrument |
| Portfolio Management Tools | Limited portfolio tracking, focused on individual trades | Comprehensive portfolio management, risk analysis, and performance tracking tools |
| Access to IPOs | No access to initial public offerings | Access to IPOs and secondary offerings on major exchanges |
| Fractional Shares | Not available | Available for selected stocks and ETFs |
| Hedging Capabilities | Supports hedging strategies on MT5 | Advanced hedging tools, including options and futures contracts |
| Slippage Control | Customizable settings to limit slippage during volatile markets | Advanced slippage control mechanisms, including limit orders and stop orders |
| API Trading Access | REST API available for custom integrations | REST, FIX, and OpenAPI access for automated trading systems |
| Copy Trading | Not available | Not available directly but can be accessed through third-party services |
| Multi-Currency Accounts | Supports multiple base currencies for account funding | Offers multi-currency accounts for trading in various markets without conversion fees |
| Commission on Forex Trades | Typically zero for most account types | Tiered commission structure based on account type and trade volume |
| Inactivity Fees | No inactivity fees for most accounts | Inactivity fee applies after 6 months of no trading activity |
| Swap Rates | Competitive swap rates, varies by asset | Transparent swap rates, lower for higher-tier accounts |
| Crypto Derivatives | Offers crypto CFDs and multipliers | Offers crypto CFDs and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) |
| Staking Options | Not available | Offers staking for selected cryptocurrencies through ETNs |
| Risk Management Tools | Stop loss, take profit, trailing stop available on all platforms | Advanced risk management tools including guaranteed stop loss and conditional orders |
| Mobile App Features | Simplified interface with essential trading tools | Full-featured mobile app with advanced analytics, alerts, and multi-asset support |
| News Integration | Integrated economic calendar, basic news feed | In-depth news integration from top financial sources like Reuters and MarketWatch |
| Technical Analysis Tools | Basic support for oscillators and trend indicators | Extensive support for Elliott Wave, Fibonacci, and Ichimoku strategies |
| Account Verification Speed | Generally quick, within 24–48 hours | Standard KYC process, can take up to 3–5 business days depending on the region |
| Rebate Programs | Occasionally offers promotional rebates for active traders | No direct rebate programs but volume-based discounts available |
| Investor Compensation Scheme | Coverage varies by regulator; generally up to $20,000 | Coverage up to €100,000 under the Danish guarantee fund |
| Interest on Uninvested Funds | No interest on idle funds | Offers interest on uninvested cash for premium accounts |
| Tax Reporting Assistance | Basic statements for tax reporting | Comprehensive tax reporting tools and annual statements for multiple jurisdictions |
| Trade Size Flexibility | Micro-lots available for forex and CFDs | Standard and mini-lots available, no micro-lots for most instruments |
| Future Contracts | Offers synthetic indices with expiry-based contracts | Offers a wide range of futures contracts on multiple global exchanges |
| Integration with Third-Party Tools | Limited integration options | Supports Bloomberg Terminal, TradingView, and other professional tools |
| Community and Forum Support | Active community forums for traders | No official community forum but active on third-party platforms |
| Cashback or Loyalty Programs | No cashback programs | No cashback, but tier-based benefits for high-volume traders |
| Contingent Orders | Supports OCO (One Cancels the Other) orders | Supports OCO, If-Done, and multi-leg orders for complex strategies |
| Stop-Out Level | Typically set at 50% of margin | Varies by account type, usually higher for premium accounts |
| Employee Stock Options (ESOP) Trading | Not supported | Supports trading of ESOP shares for selected markets |
| Reputation and Awards | Known for its innovative synthetic indices and low-cost trading | Multiple industry awards for platform excellence, customer service, and market access |
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools | No AI-driven analysis or recommendations | AI-driven insights and sentiment analysis for certain markets |
| MetaTrader Compatibility | Supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MT5 for professional traders |
| Contingent and Advanced Orders | Supports stop, limit, and trailing stop orders | Supports stop, limit, trailing stop, stop-limit, and conditional orders |
| Investment Themes | No thematic investing options | Offers thematic portfolios like ESG, technology, healthcare |
| Regulation in Specific Regions | Licensed in Malaysia, Malta, Vanuatu, and others | Licensed in EU, UK, Singapore, Australia, and more |
| Trading Central Integration | No direct integration | Full integration with Trading Central for technical analysis |
| Interest Rate Products | Does not offer bonds or interest rate products | Offers government and corporate bonds, interest rate derivatives |
| Multi-Screen Support | Web-based platforms with limited multi-screen capabilities | SaxoTraderPRO supports up to 6 screens for advanced setups |
| Synthetic Indices | Extensive range including volatility indices, crash and boom indices | Does not offer synthetic indices |
| Execution Types | Market execution, instant execution | Market, instant, and direct market access (DMA) execution |
| Interactive Brokers Integration | No integration | No direct integration but similar capabilities |
| Collateral for Margin | Accepts cash and leverage as collateral | Accepts cash, stocks, bonds, ETFs as collateral |
| Price Improvement Mechanism | Offers price improvements during low volatility | Advanced price improvement mechanisms for better execution |
| Tax Relief for Dividends | No tax relief on dividends | Offers tax relief options for dividends in certain jurisdictions |
| Corporate Actions Handling | Limited to basic actions like dividends and splits | Comprehensive support for dividends, splits, rights issues, mergers |
| Advanced Hedging Instruments | Supports simple hedging with forex pairs | Advanced options and futures for strategic hedging |
| Tick Charts and Renko Charts | Supports standard time-based charts | Offers tick, Renko, Kagi, and Point & Figure charts |
| Localization and Regional Support | Focused support in Asia and Africa | Broad regional support across Europe, Asia, and Americas |
| Client Segmentation | Standard retail and professional accounts | Segmentation into Classic, Platinum, and VIP tiers |
| Price Alerts and Notifications | In-app alerts for price movements | Customizable alerts with SMS, email, and push notifications |
| Virtual Private Server (VPS) | VPS available for automated trading | Free VPS for high-volume traders and professionals |
| Short Selling | Available for certain assets | Comprehensive short-selling capabilities across multiple asset classes |
| Dividend Payments on CFDs | Offers adjusted dividend payments on CFDs | Provides full dividend adjustments for CFDs on equities |
| Scalping | Permitted on MT5 platform | Permitted with no time restrictions on trades |
| Dark Pool Access | Not available | Access to dark pools for institutional traders |
| Trade Simulation and Backtesting | Limited to demo accounts | Advanced simulation and backtesting tools for strategies |
| Custom Indicator Support | Custom indicators on MT5 | Full support for custom indicators on proprietary platforms |
| Cross-Currency Trading | Limited to major forex pairs | Extensive cross-currency trading options without conversion fees |
| Yield Enhancement Programs | Not available | Offers securities lending for yield enhancement |
| Trailing Stops on All Assets | Available for forex and CFDs | Available across all assets including stocks and bonds |
| Collateralized Trading | Does not offer | Allows collateralized trading for margin accounts |
| Multi-Leg Options Strategies | No support for complex options strategies | Full support for iron condors, straddles, strangles, butterflies |
| Interest on Margin Deposits | No interest paid | Interest paid on positive margin balances for premium clients |
| ETF Shorting | Not available | Supports shorting of ETFs globally |
| Sector and Style Investing | No sector-specific options | Offers sector and style-based investing options |
| Automatic Rebalancing | Manual rebalancing required | Automatic rebalancing for portfolios and managed accounts |
| Integrated Banking Services | No banking services | Offers debit cards, cash management, and multi-currency accounts |
| Market Depth | Standard depth on MT5 | Full Level 2 market depth on SaxoTraderPRO |
| Watchlists Customization | Basic watchlist features | Advanced watchlist customization with alerts and filters |
| Fee Transparency | Transparent with no hidden fees | Detailed fee reports with cost breakdowns |
| Robo-Advisory Services | Not available | Offers SaxoWealth robo-advisory for passive investors |
| IPO Allocation Priority | No IPO access | Priority access for premium and VIP clients |
| Execution Venues | Internal execution plus external liquidity providers | Direct access to multiple global exchanges |
| Forex Direct Market Access (DMA) | Not supported | Available for professional accounts |
| Options Chains Visualization | No options chain view | Detailed options chains with Greeks and implied volatility |
| Islamic Account Features | Swap-free options only | Comprehensive Sharia-compliant features for Islamic accounts |
| Real-Time Risk Metrics | Limited to margin level and exposure | Advanced risk metrics including VAR (Value at Risk) and stress tests |
| Cross-Border Services | Limited cross-border capabilities | Extensive cross-border trading services and tax assistance |
| Regional Tax Compliance | Basic tax statements | Full tax compliance support for multiple jurisdictions |
| Reinvestment of Dividends | Manual reinvestment required | Automatic reinvestment option for dividends |
| Volume-Based Incentives | Occasional promotions for high-volume traders | Tier-based pricing with discounts for high volumes |
| Energy Commodities | Limited to oil and natural gas | Extensive range including coal, uranium, and carbon credits |
| Order Book Access | No access to order books | Full order book access on proprietary platforms |
| Spread Betting | Not available | Available for UK clients |
| Risk Management Calculators | Basic calculators for margin and pip value | Advanced calculators for position sizing, risk-reward ratios |
Saxo Bank offers a comprehensive suite of tools for professional traders with extensive market access and advanced analytics, while Deriv focuses on affordability and simplicity for beginners and cost-conscious traders.