Saxo Bank vs XM (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
Advertiser disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning BrokerCatalogue may earn a commission if you open an account. This never affects the data shown here, which is drawn from our catalogue and compared mechanically. How we make money.
Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Saxo Bank is a well-regarded forex broker with a proprietary multi-asset trading platform, broad access to currency pairs, advanced charting, and research-driven tools. It emphasizes robust technology, risk management features, and a…
XM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker providing online access to multiple markets on widely used platforms, along with research tools, education, and multilingual support.
Saxo Bank (Denmark, founded 1992) holds 6 regulatory licences (ASIC, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, MAS…), 5 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. XM (Cyprus, founded 2009) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 41 countries; Saxo Bank is available in 1 countries where XM is not, and XM in 188 where Saxo Bank is not.
Verdict at a glance
Saxo Bank leads on trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage, instrument range and tier-1 licences.
XM leads on country coverage.
Level on platform choice and fee level.
Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.
Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.
Deep liquidity aggregation; competitive FX spreads
Wide FX product suite: spot, forwards, swaps, options
DFSA-regulated bank; segregated client funds
OpenAPI/FIX access for algorithmic trading
XM
CySEC and ASIC regulation
Low $5 minimum deposit
MT4/MT5 platform support (desktop/web/mobile)
Negative balance protection
Low-spread account options (commission-free and commission-based)
Cons
Saxo Bank
- No MetaTrader (MT4/MT5) support
- Higher spreads/commissions for Classic-tier accounts
- Best pricing/features require high balances (Platinum/VIP)
- Not available to U.S. residents
- Netting-only FX positions (no true hedging)
XM
Offshore regulation via IFSC Belize
CFDs only (no real stocks/ETFs ownership)
MT4/MT5 only; no proprietary platform
Inactivity fee applies
No ECN/DMA accounts
Key features
Saxo Bank
Multi asset trading across forex cfds futures options stocks and bonds
Tier one regulation and banking license with segregated client funds and two factor authentication
SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO platforms with advanced charting and depth of book
Forex spot forwards and vanilla options with multi source aggregated liquidity
OpenAPI and FIX connectivity for algorithmic trading and platform integration
Volume based pricing tiers classic platinum and vip with reduced costs for high volume
XM
Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Equities Metals Energies
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with algorithmic trading and VPS support
Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
Multi jurisdiction regulation CySEC ASIC DFSA IFSC
Multiple account types Micro Standard Ultra Low with tight spreads
Market execution low latency and high fill rates with no requotes
Country availability: Saxo Bank vs XM
Available at both (41): Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and 1 more.
Only Saxo Bank (1): Israel.
Only XM (188): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil and 163 more.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
Saxo Bank vs XM: common questions
Which broker is more regulated, Saxo Bank or XM?
Saxo Bank holds more regulatory licences: Saxo Bank (ASIC, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, MAS, SFC) versus XM (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC). Tier-1 licences: Saxo Bank 5, XM 2.
Which trading platforms do Saxo Bank and XM offer?
Saxo Bank offers Proprietary, TradingView; XM offers MT4, MT5.
Which has lower fees, Saxo Bank or XM?
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
Which is older, Saxo Bank or XM?
Saxo Bank is the older of the two, founded in 1992; XM was founded in 2009.
Are Saxo Bank and XM available in the same countries?
They overlap in 41 countries. Saxo Bank is additionally available in 1 countries (Israel) and XM in 188 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola and 182 more).
Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.