Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
9.0
/ 10
vs
CMC Markets

CMC Markets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.8
/ 10

Saxo Bank vs CMC Markets

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

Saxo Bank and CMC Markets are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Saxo Bank, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, is regulated by FCA, DFSA, MAS and offers spreads starting from 0.4 pips with a minimum deposit of $2000. CMC Markets, established in 1989 in London, UK, holds licenses from FCA, ASIC, BaFin with spreads from 0.7 pips and a $0 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, Saxo Bank scored 9/10 overall compared to CMC Markets's 8.8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, CMC Markets holds its own with lower trading costs and smoother deposits & withdrawals, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • 📊

    Saxo Bank scores 9/10 overall vs 8.8/10 for CMC Markets — a 0.2-point difference.

  • 💵

    CMC Markets requires just $0 to start, while Saxo Bank needs $2000 — CMC Markets is 2000x more accessible.

  • 📈

    Saxo Bank offers 72,000+ instruments vs 10,000+ at CMC Markets — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    Saxo Bank runs on SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, while CMC Markets uses Next Generation, MT4 — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

Our Verdict

🏆 WINNER
Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank

Score: 9.0/10 · Wins 3 categories
  • Responsive customer support matters to you
  • You want access to a wider range of instruments
  • You rely on in-depth research and analysis tools
CMC Markets

CMC Markets

Score: 8.8/10 · Wins 2 categories
  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer a low minimum deposit ($0)

Saxo Bank takes the lead with an overall score of 9/10 compared to 8.8/10, winning in 3 out of 8 scoring categories. Saxo Bank stands out for better customer support and more research tools, while CMC Markets fights back with lower trading costs and smoother deposits & withdrawals.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, Saxo Bank comes out ahead with a 9/10 overall rating, winning 3 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Product Range where it scores 10.0/10. Saxo Bank holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. CMC Markets is not without merit — it scores 8.8/10 overall and excels in Platforms & Tools (9.5/10), winning 2 categories. Traders who value lower trading costs or smoother deposits & withdrawals may find CMC Markets the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full Saxo Bank review and CMC Markets review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

Saxo Bank
CMC Markets
Trading Costs
7.5 8.0

CMC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Platforms & Tools
9.5 9.5
Regulation & Trust
9.5 9.5
Education
8.0 8.0
Customer Service
8.5 8.0

Saxo Bank wins by 0.5 points

Research & Analysis
9.5 9.0

Saxo Bank wins by 0.5 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
7.5 8.0

CMC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Product Range
10.0 9.5

Saxo Bank wins by 0.5 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
9.0/10
8.8/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$2000
$0
Max Leverage
1:200
1:500
Spreads From
0.4 pips
0.7 pips
Platforms
SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO
Next Generation, MT4
Regulation
FCA, DFSA, MAS
FCA, ASIC, BaFin
Founded
Older track record highlighted
1992
1989
Markets
72,000+
10,000+
Saxo Bank: 0 CMC Markets: 1
💰

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: CMC Markets (7.5 vs 8.0)

When it comes to trading costs, CMC Markets has the edge with a score of 8/10 versus 7.5/10 for Saxo Bank. Saxo Bank offers spreads starting from 0.4 pips, while CMC Markets starts from 0.7 pips. The minimum deposit at Saxo Bank is $2000, compared to $0 at CMC Markets. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.

Saxo Bank
7.5
CMC Markets
8.0
Saxo Bank: 0 CMC Markets: 1
🖥️

Trading Platforms

Saxo Bank scores 9.5/10 for platforms compared to 9.5/10 for CMC Markets. Saxo Bank provides SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, while CMC Markets offers Next Generation, MT4. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.

Saxo Bank
9.5
CMC Markets
9.5
Saxo Bank: 0 CMC Markets: 1
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Saxo Bank is regulated by FCA, DFSA, MAS (Tier 1), while CMC Markets holds licenses from FCA, ASIC, BaFin (Tier 1). Saxo Bank scores 9.5/10 and CMC Markets scores 9.5/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.

Saxo Bank
9.5
CMC Markets
9.5
Saxo Bank: 0 CMC Markets: 1
📚

Education & Research

For learning resources, Saxo Bank leads with 8/10 compared to 8/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Saxo Bank and CMC Markets both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.

Saxo Bank
8.0
CMC Markets
8.0
Saxo Bank: 1 CMC Markets: 1
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: Saxo Bank (8.5 vs 8.0)

Saxo Bank offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 8.5/10, while CMC Markets provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.

Saxo Bank
8.5
CMC Markets
8.0
Saxo Bank: 1 CMC Markets: 2
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: CMC Markets (7.5 vs 8.0)

Saxo Bank scores 7.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while CMC Markets scores 8/10. Saxo Bank accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and CMC Markets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Saxo Bank requires a minimum deposit of $2000 versus $0 for CMC Markets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

Saxo Bank
7.5
CMC Markets
8.0

Which Broker Is Right for You?

Saxo Bank

Choose Saxo Bank if you...

  • Responsive customer support matters to you
  • You want access to a wider range of instruments
  • You rely on in-depth research and analysis tools
Visit Saxo Bank
CMC Markets

Choose CMC Markets if you...

  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer a low minimum deposit ($0)
Visit CMC Markets

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saxo Bank better than CMC Markets?

Saxo Bank scores higher overall (9/10 vs 8.8/10), winning 3 of 8 categories. However, CMC Markets is stronger in lower trading costs and smoother deposits & withdrawals. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, Saxo Bank or CMC Markets?

CMC Markets scores higher for trading costs. Saxo Bank offers spreads from 0.4 pips with a $2000 minimum deposit, while CMC Markets starts from 0.7 pips with $0 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is Saxo Bank safe to trade with?

Saxo Bank is regulated by FCA, DFSA, MAS and scores 9.5/10 for regulation. CMC Markets is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin with a score of 9.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, Saxo Bank or CMC Markets?

Saxo Bank scores 9.5/10 for platforms. Saxo Bank offers SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPRO, while CMC Markets provides Next Generation, MT4. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for Saxo Bank vs CMC Markets?

Saxo Bank requires a minimum deposit of $2000, while CMC Markets requires $0. CMC Markets has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.

Ready to Start Trading?

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