IG

⭐ 4.6 / 5

Saxo Bank

⭐ 4.7 / 5

IG vs Saxo Bank — which broker is better in 2026?

Q: Is IG more regulated than Saxo Bank?

IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, FSA Japan, BMA Bermuda, CFTC/NFA. Saxo Bank is regulated by FSA Denmark, FCA, ASIC, MAS, FINMA, DFSA, JFSA, SFC HK.

Q: What are the spreads at IG vs Saxo Bank?

IG spreads start from 0.6 pips (FX) / 0.4 points (FTSE). Saxo Bank spreads start from 0.6 pips (Classic) / 0.4 pips (Platinum) / 0.3 pips (VIP).

We compared IG and Saxo Bank across five core criteria: regulation, minimum deposit, spreads, platform choice, and overall user rating. IG wins on more criteria (2 categories vs 1), making it the stronger default for most traders. Both brokers remain reputable, independently tier-1 regulated options.

	IG	Saxo Bank	Winner
Rating	⭐ 4.6 / 5	⭐ 4.7 / 5	Saxo Bank
Regulators	FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, FSA Japan, BMA Bermuda, CFTC/NFA	FSA Denmark, FCA, ASIC, MAS, FINMA, DFSA, JFSA, SFC HK	IG
Min. deposit	$0 (no minimum)	$0 (Classic) / $200K (Platinum) / $1M (VIP)	Tie
Spreads from	0.6 pips (FX) / 0.4 points (FTSE)	0.6 pips (Classic) / 0.4 pips (Platinum) / 0.3 pips (VIP)	Tie
Max. leverage	Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:200 (Pro)	Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:100 (Pro)	—
Platforms	IG WebTrader, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView	SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, TradingView, API	IG
Founded	1974	1992	—
HQ	London, United Kingdom	Copenhagen, Denmark	—

Pros & cons compared

IG pros

✓ Founded 1974 — oldest CFD/spread-bet broker (LSE: IGG)
✓ Nine tier-1 regulators across UK, US, EU, APAC, Africa
✓ 17,000+ instruments — broadest in retail FX/CFD industry
✓ L2 Dealer DMA + ProRealTime for advanced traders
✓ Direct US CFTC/NFA regulation (one of few non-US brokers)

Cons

✗ Spreads on Standard account (0.6 pips FX) not the absolute tightest
✗ Proprietary platform learning curve
✗ EU leverage 1:30 (ESMA)

Saxo Bank pros

✓ Founded 1992 — Danish bank with full banking license
✓ Eight tier-1 regulators globally including FSA Denmark, FCA, ASIC
✓ 70,000+ instruments — broadest single-broker market access in retail
✓ Award-winning SaxoTraderPRO desktop platform
✓ Real stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, mutual funds + FX/CFD

Cons

✗ Volume-tier pricing means small traders get worse terms
✗ Premium platforms have a learning curve vs. MT4
✗ Inactivity fee of $25/quarter after 6 months dormant

Which one should you choose?

Choose IG if you want…

Serious traders wanting institutional-grade regulation, deep market access, and DMA capability.

Choose Saxo Bank if you want…

Serious traders with $10K+ deposits wanting institutional-grade market access from a regulated Danish bank.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better — IG or Saxo Bank?

Based on five comparison criteria (regulation, deposit, spreads, platforms, overall rating), IG wins 2 categories. That makes it the stronger default choice — though both brokers remain reputable, independently tier-1 regulated options.

Is IG more regulated than Saxo Bank?

IG holds licenses from: FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, FSA Japan, BMA Bermuda, CFTC/NFA. Saxo Bank holds licenses from: FSA Denmark, FCA, ASIC, MAS, FINMA, DFSA, JFSA, SFC HK. IG has more regulatory licenses, giving it broader geographic coverage.

What are the spreads at IG vs Saxo Bank?

IG spreads start from 0.6 pips (FX) / 0.4 points (FTSE). Saxo Bank spreads start from 0.6 pips (Classic) / 0.4 pips (Platinum) / 0.3 pips (VIP). Actual spreads vary by account type and market conditions.

Which has a lower minimum deposit, IG or Saxo Bank?

IG: $0 (no minimum). Saxo Bank: $0 (Classic) / $200K (Platinum) / $1M (VIP). Both require the same minimum.