What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
For a Swiss resident, Saxo is usually the cheaper home for ordinary stock and ETF investing, while Swissquote is the more flexible choice for investors who want fractional trading, crypto and broader recurring-investment options.
The answer changes once you trade options, futures, FX or CFDs, use a savings plan, hold a small portfolio for years, or live outside Switzerland. This comparison uses Swissquote Bank Ltd. and Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd.—not the brokers’ UK, Luxembourg, Australian or other entities. Pricing, available products, tax documents and legal protection depend on the entity serving your country of residence.
Swissquote vs. Saxo Bank at a glance
| Best for | Likely better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional Swiss stock and ETF investing | Saxo | No custody fee or inactivity fee, plus percentage-based stock and ETF commissions. |
| Small monthly ETF investing | Saxo AutoInvest | No buying commission, monthly fee or custody fee for eligible ETFs. |
| Crypto, fractional shares and flexible saving plans | Swissquote | Offers fractional trading, 56 cryptocurrencies and saving plans covering more asset types. |
| Futures, listed options, FX and advanced trading | Saxo | More advanced order types, market-depth tools and multi-screen trading features. |
| US persons | Neither Swiss option by default | Saxo Switzerland generally cannot accept US persons, including US citizens living abroad, without specific documentation. |
Neither broker is universally cheaper. The most important variables are trade size, instrument currency, how long you hold the account and whether you need a particular product.
Fees: Saxo generally wins for long-term Swiss investors
Account and custody costs
Both brokers advertise free account opening and maintenance for private clients, but that does not mean the accounts have no ongoing charges.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
| Cost | Swissquote Bank Ltd. | Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| Account maintenance | Free | Free |
| Custody | CHF 20 to CHF 50 quarterly, depending on assets, with additional charges above CHF 1 million | No custody fee |
| Inactivity | No separate inactivity charge stated in the cited schedule | No inactivity fee |
| Transfer out | CHF 50, EUR 50 or USD 50 per security position | CHF 50 or equivalent per security position |
| Digital tax statement | CHF 85 for Swiss residents; CHF 100 for non-residents | Free e-tax statements for Swiss residents from tax year 2025 |
Swissquote’s custody fee is charged quarterly. The published bands are CHF 20 for assets up to CHF 50,000, CHF 25 up to CHF 100,000, CHF 37.50 up to CHF 150,000 and a maximum of CHF 50 above CHF 150,000. A further 0.0075% per quarter applies to assets above CHF 1 million. Swiss VAT of 8.1% applies to the listed custody fees, and crypto-assets count in the calculation.
That makes Saxo the clearer choice for a buy-and-hold investor who may leave the account unused for months. The common claim that Saxo Switzerland charges custody fees is outdated: its current Swiss pricing page says it does not.
One exception is account termination. Saxo says a fixed CHF 15 monthly administration fee may apply if an account is closed while cash or assets remain in it.
Stock and ETF commissions
Swissquote uses a flat-fee schedule for Swiss, US and UK exchange-traded stocks and ETFs:
| Trade value | Swissquote commission |
|---|---|
| Up to CHF 500 | CHF 3 |
| CHF 500.01–1,000 | CHF 5 |
| CHF 1,000.01–2,000 | CHF 10 |
| CHF 2,000.01–10,000 | CHF 29 |
| CHF 10,000.01–15,000 | CHF 49 |
| CHF 15,000.01–25,000 | CHF 79 |
| CHF 25,000.01–50,000 | CHF 129 |
| Above CHF 50,000 | CHF 190 |
Swissquote also adds 0.85 in the transaction currency for real-time information on the interface. Exchange charges, government taxes and other third-party costs are extra.
Saxo’s published Classic rates are percentage-based:
- Swiss stocks and ETFs: 0.08%, minimum CHF 3.
- US stocks and ETFs: 0.08%, minimum USD 1.
- Listed euro options: EUR 0.75 per contract.
- Futures: USD 3 per contract.
For a CHF 10,000 Swissquote trade in a Swiss or US-listed security, the published commission is CHF 29. A USD 10,000 US-stock trade at Saxo Classic costs USD 8 before currency conversion and external charges. These are not perfectly identical examples because the account currency and settlement currency can differ, but they show the direction: Swissquote’s flat fee is relatively attractive for small orders and becomes less competitive as order size rises.
Saxo can charge up to 0.25% for currency conversion when a transaction involves a currency different from the account’s base denomination. This applies to actual settlement flows, such as buying foreign stocks or paying an option premium—not to margin collateral.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Which broker has the better investment range?
Swissquote advertises more than 4 million products, including stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, options, futures, crypto and certificates. It also advertises 56 cryptocurrencies, fractional trading and saving plans for stocks, ETFs, crypto and selected Themes Trading certificates.
Saxo advertises more than 71,000 instruments and offers stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds, options, futures, CFDs and FX, among other products. The two headline product counts are not directly comparable: they use different counting methods and include different combinations of listings, venues and derivatives.
For a conventional diversified portfolio, both brokers offer plenty of choice. Swissquote has the stronger case if you specifically want crypto, fractional shares or a recurring plan that is not limited to a small ETF catalogue. Saxo is more compelling if your definition of “choice” means sophisticated access to listed derivatives and trading venues.
Recurring investing: Swissquote Saving Plan vs. Saxo AutoInvest
Swissquote Saving Plan
Swissquote’s plan is more flexible, but it is not free. The published price is CHF 3 per transaction.
To set it up:
- Open your account preferences and enable fractional trading under “Trade mask.”
- Browse to an eligible product and click “Trade.”
- Choose “Saving Plan” as the “Order Type.”
- Enter the amount and frequency.
Available frequencies are daily, weekly, twice a month and monthly. Eligible assets may include stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies and Themes Trading certificates.
There are important restrictions. An order below one whole unit can only be a market order. Limit and stop-limit orders become available at one whole unit or more. Fractional selling requires a specified quantity rather than an amount, and recurring orders are buy orders only. Swissquote’s Invest pricing also states that deposits or reinvestments in a currency other than CHF are first converted to CHF with a 0.95% fee. That rate belongs to the Invest pricing product and should not automatically be applied to every Swissquote account or service.
Saxo AutoInvest
Saxo AutoInvest is cheaper when its narrower rules suit you. In Switzerland, it has:
- No commission to buy.
- No monthly service fee.
- No custody fee.
- No minimum deposit.
- CHF-only support.
- Selected ETFs, currently from iShares and Amundi.
- Up to 10 instruments in one AutoInvest account.
It does not support single stocks, fractional single-stock purchases or a general cryptocurrency savings plan. Investments are scheduled for the fifth of each month, moving to the next banking day when that date is a weekend or public holiday. If the account lacks sufficient cash, that month’s investment is skipped. Selling is not commission-free, and currency-conversion charges or statutory stamp duty may still apply.
To request it, use My Profile → Request AutoInvest → Open AutoInvest account in SaxoInvestor or SaxoTrader.
Verdict for recurring investors: choose Saxo for a low-cost monthly ETF routine if its selected funds are sufficient. Choose Swissquote if you need stocks, crypto, fractional investing or more scheduling choices and accept the CHF 3 transaction fee.
Platforms and trading tools
Saxo currently presents two platform brands:
- SaxoInvestor: simpler investing, portfolio monitoring and investment content.
- SaxoTrader: advanced web, mobile and desktop trading.
Older reviews may call these SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO. Those names still appear in older help material, but they are not the current branding used on Saxo’s Swiss platform overview.
SaxoTrader supports market, limit, stop, trailing-stop, stop-limit, take-profit, OCO and algorithmic orders, subject to instrument and exchange availability. It also offers smart order routing, more than 85 technical indicators, Level 1 and Level 2 data, Depth Trader, time-and-sales data, multi-screen desktop workspaces, margin alerts and portfolio exposure reports. Some market-data features require a subscription.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For an existing Saxo position, a stop-limit order can be added by right-clicking the position—or selecting Add under Stop in the Positions module—then choosing Stop Loss → Stop Limit. In a new trade ticket, the route is Trade Ticket → Add Take Profit / Stop Loss → Stop Loss → Stop Limit → Choose a Unit → Set your stop-limit → Place Order.
A stop-limit order is not guaranteed to execute. Once triggered, it becomes a limit order and may remain unfilled if the market gaps beyond the specified limit. Saxo supports trailing stops but not trailing stop-limit orders. Order-ticket defaults can be changed at Main menu → Platform settings → Platform & trading.
Swissquote’s current securities interface is the Swissquote App on web and mobile. It supports stocks, ETFs, funds, bonds, options, futures, crypto and other instruments, with option chains, options and futures stress tests, ESG scores, AI-generated sentiment analysis, fractional trading and saving plans. Some analytical functions are desktop-only. Swissquote separately offers CFXD, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and Advanced Trader for FX and CFD clients; those should not be confused with its securities platform.
Platform verdict: Swissquote is approachable and unusually broad for a general investing app. Saxo is the stronger fit for traders who need detailed execution controls, market depth, technical analysis and a professional desktop workspace.
Account tiers and minimum funding
Saxo has three published tiers:
- Classic: default tier with no minimum initial funding.
- Platinum: normally CHF 250,000 initial funding or qualification through trading volume; up to 30% lower prices.
- VIP: normally CHF 1 million initial funding or qualification through trading volume; best published pricing and additional service.
The initial funding amount determines the starting tier. After the first three months, Saxo automatically moves the account to the tier that best reflects trading volume, so the CHF 250,000 figure is not a requirement to open an account.
Swissquote’s standard Swiss securities account is not structured as an equivalent Classic/Platinum/VIP schedule. Its FX and CFD accounts have separate Standard, Premium and Prime categories with different deposits and spreads. Those categories should not be used to describe Swissquote’s ordinary securities account.
Safety, regulation and tax considerations
Both Swiss entities are Swiss banks supervised by FINMA. Saxo states that qualifying Swiss cash deposits are protected by esisuisse up to CHF 100,000 per client, subject to statutory exclusions. It also states that securities and other financial instruments in a client deposit are segregated for the client’s benefit if the custodian bank fails.
Deposit insurance is not protection against investment losses. It does not compensate you when a stock, fund or cryptocurrency falls in value.
Swiss residents should also check the cost and availability of tax reporting before opening an account. Swissquote publishes a charge for its digital tax statement, while Saxo says Swiss residents receive free e-tax statements from tax year 2025. Neither point removes the need to declare securities, income and wealth correctly under Swiss tax rules.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Funding and transfers
Saxo’s current funding route is Deposit funds in the web interface, or My Profile → Deposit funds on desktop. Saxo does not charge a deposit fee, although an intermediary bank may do so. Payments from third-party bank accounts or cards are rejected and returned to the source.
For an incoming portfolio transfer, choose Portfolio transfer. On desktop, use My Profile → Deposits and transfers → Portfolio transfer. You provide the sending broker, securities, quantities and displayed prices, submit the online request, then print, sign and send a scanned copy to the other broker. Saxo says transfers generally take four to six weeks and can take longer.
Swissquote and Saxo both charge about CHF 50 per transferred security position when moving assets out, so transferring many small positions can be disproportionately expensive.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- My Trading Journal for Stock Market, Forex, and Crypto: Precisely track and analyze every trade. This log book is essential for improving your trading performance and decision-making skills.
- Comprehensive Day Trading Planner: Record and review 80 guided trades with 8 review sections, perfect for traders aiming to refine their strategies and maximize profits.
- Customizable Trading Setup: Tailor your trading approach by documenting your setups, analyzing results, and adjusting strategies based on market conditions.
- For All Types of Traders: Whether you're trading stocks, forex, or crypto, My Trading Journal supports your unique trading style and helps you achieve consistent success.
- Premium Quality and Durability: Made with high-quality materials, this A5-sized journal is perfect for daily use and designed to withstand the rigors of active trading.
Who should choose Swissquote?
- You want one account combining securities, crypto and other asset classes.
- You need fractional trading or recurring purchases of individual stocks.
- You prefer daily, weekly, twice-monthly or monthly saving-plan schedules.
- You are comfortable paying CHF 3 per Swissquote saving-plan transaction and potentially paying custody fees.
- You want Swissquote’s integrated options, futures, crypto and thematic-investing tools.
Who should choose Saxo?
- You mainly buy and hold stocks or ETFs and want to avoid custody and inactivity fees.
- Your ordinary trade sizes make Saxo’s 0.08% commission cheaper than Swissquote’s flat bands.
- You want low-cost monthly investing in Saxo’s eligible ETFs.
- You trade listed options, futures, FX or CFDs and need advanced order controls.
- You value Level 2 data, Depth Trader, time-and-sales and a multi-screen desktop platform.
How to make the decision
- Confirm the contracting entity. A Swiss resident comparing the Swiss banks is not comparing the same pricing as a UK or Singapore resident.
- List your actual instruments. Check whether you need crypto, fractional shares, single stocks in AutoInvest, options or futures.
- Estimate your trade size. Compare the complete commission, minimum charge, currency conversion, exchange fees and taxes—not just the headline rate.
- Price the holding period. Swissquote’s quarterly custody charge can matter more than a small difference in one trade.
- Check recurring-plan restrictions. Saxo AutoInvest is a selected-ETF service, not a general fractional-stock plan.
- Check tax-document requirements and US-person eligibility before transferring assets.
FAQ
Is Saxo cheaper than Swissquote?
For many Swiss residents, yes—especially for larger stock and ETF trades or long-term portfolios, because Saxo Switzerland has no custody or inactivity fee and charges 0.08% for many stocks and ETFs. Swissquote can be competitive for very small orders because its lowest flat commission is CHF 3.
Does Saxo require CHF 250,000 to open an account?
No. Saxo’s Swiss Classic tier has no minimum initial funding. CHF 250,000 is the published threshold for Platinum status, although trading volume can also qualify a client.
Does Swissquote charge custody fees?
Yes. Swissquote Bank Ltd. publishes quarterly custody fees ranging from CHF 20 to CHF 50 for lower asset bands, with additional charges above CHF 1 million. The listed fees are subject to Swiss VAT.
Is Saxo AutoInvest a fractional-stock savings plan?
No. Swiss AutoInvest is a CHF-only plan for selected ETFs, currently from iShares and Amundi. It does not support single stocks or fractional single-stock purchases.
Recommended Free Tools
Which broker is better for crypto?
Swissquote is generally the better fit based on the published Swiss offering. It advertises 56 cryptocurrencies, while Saxo’s comparison is stronger in traditional securities and derivatives. Confirm current availability for the specific asset and your residence before applying.
Can a US citizen open an account with Saxo Switzerland?
Saxo Bank Switzerland generally cannot accept US persons, including US citizens living abroad, unless they provide proof of loss or renunciation of US nationality and a signed W-8 form. US residents should not assume this Swiss account is available.
Are Swissquote and Saxo safe?
Both Swiss entities are FINMA-supervised banks. Saxo says qualifying Swiss cash deposits are protected by esisuisse up to CHF 100,000 per client and that client securities are segregated. This does not protect against market losses.
The Bottom Line
Choose Saxo for cost-efficient, long-term stock and ETF investing, free custody, low-cost eligible ETF automation and advanced trading tools. Choose Swissquote if fractional investing, crypto, broader saving-plan assets or a single multi-asset Swiss platform matter more than the lowest ongoing cost.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBefore deciding, run your own trade sizes through both current pricing schedules and confirm the entity that will hold your account. Published fees can change, and currency conversion, exchange charges, taxes, market-data subscriptions and transfer fees can materially alter the result.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
