IG (founded 1974) and Saxo (founded 1992) are both long-established, multi-regulated providers serving EU and UK traders. IG is regulated by the FCA and BaFin and offers its own platform plus MT4 and ProRealTime; Saxo is regulated by the DFSA in Denmark — under a banking licence — and the FCA, running its own SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO. Neither is universally "better": IG suits a trader who wants MetaTrader compatibility or a publicly listed group's disclosure; Saxo suits an experienced, active trader who values a bank licence and broad multi-asset access. The right one depends on the entity that serves your country.
Broker comparison
IG vs Saxo: an honest side-by-side comparison
By Spreadwise Editorial Team · Last updated 23 June 2026
IG vs Saxo: the verified facts
| Broker | Regulation | Platforms | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| IG Est. 1974 | FCABaFin | IG platform · MT4 · ProRealTime | |
| Saxo Est. 1992 | DFSAFCA | SaxoTraderGO · SaxoTraderPRO |
Only fields we can verify (regulation, platforms, founding year) are shown.
How do they compare on the facts?
On the publicly verifiable facts, both are mature, multi-regulated firms with EU and UK licences and long track records. IG, founded in 1974, is one of the longest-established retail derivatives providers and part of a publicly listed group, with FCA (UK) and BaFin (Germany) regulation. Saxo, founded in 1992, is structurally different: it holds a banking licence in Denmark supervised by the DFSA, alongside FCA regulation in the UK. The table below shows only fields we can verify from each broker's regulatory disclosures — we deliberately publish no spreads, minimum deposits or star ratings until a hands-on review.
The clearest practical difference is platforms. IG offers its own platform alongside MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime, so a trader who runs MT4 expert advisors is covered. Saxo leads with its own SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO and does not offer MetaTrader, so MT4/MT5 strategies do not port across. If MetaTrader compatibility matters to you, that points to IG; if you want a bank-licensed provider with broad multi-asset depth and are happy on a proprietary platform, that points to Saxo.
Which suits whom?
Neither broker is 'better' in the abstract — they suit different traders. A trader who values MetaTrader portability, ProRealTime charting, or the disclosure of a publicly listed group leans IG. An experienced, active trader who places weight on a banking licence and wants broad multi-asset access in one powerful proprietary platform leans Saxo. Both apply the ESMA 30:1 retail leverage cap, negative-balance protection and the bonus ban through their EU/UK entities.
Whichever you shortlist, the deciding checks are the same: confirm the exact entity that serves your country on its regulator's register (the FCA or BaFin for IG; the DFSA or FCA for Saxo), and compare the all-in cost — spread plus any commission plus overnight financing — on the current pricing page for that entity. We do not rank either broker higher for any commercial relationship.
Frequently asked questions
Which broker is better, IG or Saxo?
Neither is universally better. Both are long-established and multi-regulated in the EU and UK. IG suits a trader who wants MetaTrader and ProRealTime or a listed-group's disclosure; Saxo suits an experienced trader who values a banking licence and broad multi-asset access on a proprietary platform. Verify the entity in your client agreement before depositing.
Does IG or Saxo support MetaTrader?
IG supports MetaTrader 4 (plus its own platform and ProRealTime). Saxo does not offer MetaTrader — it runs its own SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO. If you rely on an MT4 expert advisor, that favours IG.
Related