Saxo vs. DEGIRO 2026: Comparison, Fees & Review
In our big 2026 broker comparison, we analyse DEGIRO and Saxo in detail and show you the key differences in fees, offering, usability and customer service. This way, you can find out which provider is better suited to your trading or your ETF savings plans.
Welcome offers
Saxo: Get a CHF 200 credit on trading fees at Saxo. The bonus only applies if you reach the Saxo website via the partner link and open your account there. Offer details.
Degiro: Get a CHF 100 credit on trading fees at Degiro. The bonus only applies if you reach the Degiro website via the partner link and open your account there. Offer details.
Note: We are an independent Swiss financial platform. If you click on a link (affiliate link) or use a promo code from us, we receive a commission from the provider – at no extra cost to you. Accounts are opened exclusively with the provider; we do not receive any personal data. Our tests, ratings and rankings remain unaffected by this. Learn more
☝️ At a glance
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 |  |
From CHF 3 (0,08 %) per trade on SIX | Fixed price of CHF 6 per trade on SIX |
No custody fees, 0,25 % currency conversion | No custody fees, 0,25 % currency conversion |
≈ 70'000 tradable products | > 1 million tradable products |
Swiss deposit protection up to CHF 100'000, regulated by FINMA 🇨🇭 | German deposit protection up to €100'000, regulated by BaFin 🇩🇪 & AFM/DNB 🇳🇱 |
Free ETF savings plans available ✓ | No ETF savings plans × |
Optional securities lending with revenue sharing | Optional securities lending with revenue sharing |
No entry in the share register × | No entry in the share register × |
No real cryptocurrencies tradable × | No real cryptocurrencies tradable × |
App & web platform ✓ | App & web platform ✓ |
📖 Table of Contents
Introduction – Saxo vs. DEGIRO broker comparison: which online broker is better for Swiss investors?
Anyone looking for a low-cost online broker in Switzerland will quickly come across two well-known names: DEGIRO and Saxo Bank. Both brokers impress with low fees, a broad range of tradable products and modern trading platforms. But which broker suits your needs better – DEGIRO or Saxo? What makes it particularly interesting: with its new fee structure, the Swiss Saxo Bank is competing on price with international discount brokers for the first time – while combining Swiss regulation with attractive conditions, which will make Saxo the first choice for many Swiss investors.
If you don't know Saxo Bank or DEGIRO yet, you can find more information in our detailed reviews of Saxo Bank and DEGIRO.
What are Saxo Bank and DEGIRO?
Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. is a fully licensed, FINMA-regulated Swiss bank and belongs to the J. Safra Sarasin Group. | DEGIRO is a Dutch broker regulated in Germany and the Netherlands. |
The Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. is a fully licensed, FINMA-regulated Swiss bank. It is a subsidiary of the originally Danish Saxo Bank, which today belongs to the Swiss J. Safra Sarasin Group. At the beginning of 2024, Saxo Bank Switzerland significantly reduced its fees – a good reason to compare it with one of Europe's most popular online brokers: DEGIRO.
DEGIRO is a Dutch online broker that has established itself on the European market for more than ten years with low fees and a wide range of trading options. Today, DEGIRO has more than 3 million customers. Swiss investors can also use DEGIRO without any problems – including a portfolio in Swiss francs.
Saxo and DEGIRO: offering and features
How good is the offering at Saxo and DEGIRO?
Both trading platforms let you trade a wide range of financial products – including shares, ETFs, funds, options, futures and derivatives. Usage is flexible: you can use the platforms both in the desktop version and via the mobile app.
Both brokers also offer access to comprehensive market information, market analyses and articles on financial topics – including investment ideas and strategic inspiration for your portfolio.
Saxo and DEGIRO are specialised online brokers that focus exclusively on securities trading. Traditional banking services such as a pillar 3a account, a debit card or mortgages are not part of their offering. If you are looking for a Swiss online bank that combines trading and banking, we recommend taking a look at Swissquote. In addition to a comprehensive trading universe, Swissquote also offers all the usual banking services. You can find all the details in our detailed Swissquote review.
Entries in the share register
Currently, neither Saxo nor DEGIRO offers the option of being entered in the share register. This has a direct impact on your shareholder rights: without an entry, you will not be invited to the general meeting and will not receive any dividends in kind – such as a Swatch watch for Swatch shareholders.
Saxo is responding to the needs of its Swiss customers and, according to the information available to us, is currently working on a solution to enable entries in the share register in the future. With DEGIRO, on the other hand, given the broker's international focus, it is not expected that such a feature will be offered in the foreseeable future.
If exercising shareholder rights or attending general meetings is important to you, you should definitely take this into account when choosing your broker. For investors who want this feature, Swissquote is a good alternative.
Tax statement
Saxo with free Swiss e-tax statement | No Swiss tax statement available (manual entry required) |
Saxo provides you with a free e-tax statement that is specifically tailored to the requirements of the Swiss tax return. The relevant data can be imported directly into the cantonal tax software – saving time and reducing manual effort.
In contrast, DEGIRO does not offer a compliant tax statement for Switzerland. This means that as a customer, you have to transfer all relevant information to your tax return manually. This can be very time-consuming and error-prone, especially with many trades and positions.
Available financial products – DEGIRO beats Saxo
70'000 financial products and 50 exchanges | 1 million+ financial products and 45+ exchanges |
The trading platform of DEGIRO provides access to more than 45 international trading venues, including markets in the US, Europe and Asia. Particularly attractive for investors from Switzerland: trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange is also possible without any problems. With more than 1 million tradable products, DEGIRO is one of the brokers with the widest range on the market. This includes not only shares and ETFs but also numerous niche products that are not available at many other brokers.
Saxo, with around 70’000 financial products, also offers a large selection but focuses more on standard securities such as shares, ETFs and selected derivatives. For classic investment strategies, the offering is entirely sufficient – but if you are looking for access to more exotic products, you are better off with DEGIRO.
Security and regulation: only Saxo offers Swiss security standards
Swiss banking licence, FINMA regulation, CHF 100'000 Swiss deposit protection | Regulated in Germany and the Netherlands, EUR 100'000 German deposit protection |
The Saxo Bank (Switzerland) holds a Swiss banking licence and is subject to statutory deposit protection. Your cash balances are protected up to CHF 100’000 by the Swiss deposit protection scheme. It is recommended not to hold more than CHF 100’000 in cash in the account in order to be fully protected in an emergency.
Your portfolio at Saxo is subject to Swiss law and therefore supervised by FINMA – ensuring transparency, trust and legal certainty.
DEGIRO is the Dutch branch of the German flatexDEGIRO Bank SE and is primarily supervised by the German financial supervisory authority BaFin, and additionally by the AFM and DNB in the Netherlands. Client funds are kept separate from company funds. Swiss clients' balances that are not invested in securities are held at the German flatexDEGIRO Bank. In the event of bankruptcy, up to 100'000 euros are therefore protected by the compensation scheme of the German banks.
If the safety of your securities is important to you, in our view you should only entrust them to a bank with a Swiss banking licence. With foreign brokers, the level of protection is often lower, and in the event of bankruptcy you have to deal with authorities and insolvency administrators abroad.
Fees compared: DEGIRO and Saxo score with low-cost conditions
Trading fees
Below, we compare the fees for trading shares and ETFs on the Swiss stock exchange as well as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ. If you are interested in other exchanges, index funds, options and futures or structured products, you can consult the fee schedules of Saxo and DEGIRO. A good point with both providers is that the fees are shown again before the order is executed.
Shares and ETFs on the Swiss stock exchange SIX 🇨🇭
The table below shows the fees for buying shares and ETFs on the Swiss stock exchange SIX.
0 - 500 | 500 - 1k | 1k - 2k | 2k - 10k | 10k - 15k | 15k - 25k | 25k - 50k | > 50k | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEGIRO shares | CHF 6 | CHF 6 | CHF 6 | CHF 6 | CHF 6 | CHF 6 | CHF 6 | CHF 6 |
DEGIRO ETF | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 |
Saxo | 0.08% (min. CHF 3) | 0.08% (min. CHF 3) | 0.08% (min. CHF 3) | 0.08% (CHF 3 - 8) | 0.08% (CHF 8 - 12) | 0.08% (CHF 12 - 20) | 0.08% (CHF 20 - 40) | 0.08% (> CHF 40) |
Saxo fees for shares & ETFs on SIX: At Saxo, the fees for trading shares and ETFs vary by exchange, but they are always calculated as a percentage of the traded amount combined with a minimum fee. On the Swiss stock exchange SIX, the fee is 0.08% (at least CHF 3).
DEGIRO fees for shares & ETFs on SIX: DEGIRO distinguishes between shares and ETFs. Within each category, the fees are always the same, regardless of the amount traded.
Shares and ETFs on the US exchanges NYSE and NASDAQ 🇺🇸
0 - 500 | 500 - 1k | 1k - 2k | 2k - 10k | 10k - 15k | 15k - 25k | 25k - 50k | > 50k | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEGIRO shares | EUR 2 | EUR 2 | EUR 2 | EUR 2 | EUR 2 | EUR 2 | EUR 2 | EUR 2 |
DEGIRO ETF | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 | EUR 3 |
Saxo | 0.08% (min. USD 1) | 0.08% (min. USD 1) | 0.08% (USD 1 - 1.60) | 0.08% (USD 1.60 - 8) | 0.08% (USD 8 - 12) | 0.08% (USD 12 - 20) | 0.08% (USD 20 - 40) | 0.08% (> USD 40) |
DEGIRO fees for shares and ETFs on the NYSE and NASDAQ: The trading fees are always the same, regardless of the amount traded.
Saxo fees for shares and ETFs on the NYSE and NASDAQ: At Saxo, the standard fee of 0.08% again applies, combined with a minimum amount. On the US exchanges, the minimum fee is USD 1.
Special ETF conditions at both providers
Saxo with free ETF savings plans
Saxo offers more than 100 popular ETFs free of charge via savings plans. This means that ETFs such as the iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF or the Amundi S&P 500 II UCITS ETF can be bought automatically through a savings plan without purchase fees, which is particularly attractive for building a portfolio over the long term. You can find out more about Saxo's savings plans in this article.
DEGIRO with its core ETF selection
DEGIRO's core ETF selection includes all ETFs, ETCs and ETNs traded on Tradegate Exchange (a German exchange based in Berlin) – more than 1'000 products in total, including popular ETFs such as the iShares Core MSCI World (Acc) or the Vanguard S&P 500. No commission is charged, only a handling fee of EUR 1 per trade. Since Tradegate trades in euros, CHF clients also pay 0.25 % currency conversion costs.
Stamp duty
At Saxo, stamp duty of 0.075% for Swiss securities or 0.15% for foreign securities also applies. This tax is charged by all Swiss brokers, who must pay it to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration. As a foreign broker, DEGIRO is not subject to this obligation.
Custody fees
CHF | 0 - 50'000 | 50'000 - 100'000 | 100'000 - 150'000 | >150'000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DEGIRO | CHF 0 | CHF 0 | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
Saxo | CHF 0 | CHF 0 | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
Saxo custody fees: Saxo does not charge any custody fees.
DEGIRO custody fees: DEGIRO does not charge any custody fees either.
Currency exchange fees
If you want to trade securities in foreign currencies, additional fees for currency conversion apply. At both Saxo and DEGIRO, currency exchange fees amount to around 0.25%.
Securities lending – your choice
Securities lending as an option with a 50/50 revenue split | Securities lending as an option with a 50/50 revenue split |
At both Saxo and DEGIRO, securities lending is entirely voluntary. If you allow Saxo or DEGIRO to lend your securities to other market participants, you can generate additional income. Institutional counterparties pay a lending fee, which is split equally between you and Saxo or DEGIRO – an attractive way to make your portfolio passively more profitable.
As protection, collateral of at least 102% (Saxo) or 105% (DEGIRO) of the current value of your lent securities is deposited. You remain in full control at all times: you can sell your securities at any time or deactivate securities lending whenever you wish. After all, despite the collateral deposited, securities lending involves a certain residual risk. If you do not want to take any risk, you should not activate securities lending.
DEGIRO and Saxo experience report: customer service & reviews 2026
Reliable customer service is a key criterion for many investors when choosing an online broker in Switzerland – especially since these providers do not operate any branches. In the event of technical problems or security-related questions, fast, competent and straightforward help is what counts.
Our own experiences with Saxo's customer service have been consistently positive: the information was expert, response times were short and communication was professional.
Saxo Bank Switzerland emphasises its focus on customer satisfaction and has an active feedback culture. According to its own statements to us, the company analyses every single Google review and all Trustpilot comments in order to continuously improve its service.
Experiences of the Become Wealthy editorial team 🤓
«Onboarding at Saxo and DEGIRO took less than ten minutes – quick and easy. Both offer good trading apps, but I find Saxo clearer and more pleasant to use. I particularly appreciate Saxo's free e-tax statement – it saves me a noticeable amount of time on my Swiss tax return every year.
I use DEGIRO for targeted one-off purchases such as niche ETFs. The fees are extremely low for large amounts. What's missing, however, are ETF savings plans and a Swiss-compliant tax report.
My conclusion: for long-term wealth building, easy tax handling and Swiss regulation, Saxo is my clear recommendation. DEGIRO is ideal for experienced self-directed investors focused on low-cost individual securities.»
Saxo Bank Switzerland currently has a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, while DEGIRO achieves 4.5 out of 5 stars, an even better result. Both online brokers are therefore well above the industry average – especially compared with traditional Swiss banks such as Raiffeisen, PostFinance or Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB). However, Trustpilot ratings are only meaningful to a limited extent. Dissatisfied customers are more likely to write reviews than satisfied ones, and some providers specifically ask for ratings. The stars show a trend, nothing more.
Bank | Trustpilot rating |
|---|---|
DEGIRO | 4.5 out of 5 |
Saxo Bank Switzerland | 3.8 out of 5 |
Raiffeisen Switzerland | 2.2 out of 5 |
Zürcher Kantonalbank | 2.1 out of 5 |
PostFinance | 1.4 out of 5 |
Strengths and weaknesses of Saxo and DEGIRO at a glance
Saxo and DEGIRO are among the most popular online brokers for investors in Switzerland. Both impress with low-cost fee models but differ significantly in features, tax support and user focus. The following overview helps you choose the broker that better suits your needs:
Saxo strengths 👍
| DEGIRO strengths 👍
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Saxo weaknesses 👎
| DEGIRO weaknesses 👎
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Which broker is better? Our conclusion on DEGIRO vs. Saxo in 2026
A direct comparison between Saxo and DEGIRO shows: both brokers offer a modern, user-friendly trading platform that is available both as a desktop version and as a trading app. Since the fee reduction at the beginning of 2024, Saxo has also become significantly more attractive in terms of price and no longer needs to hide behind DEGIRO when it comes to fees.
🎯 Our view: Saxo is ideal for anyone in Switzerland who wants to invest for the long term, securely and – thanks to the tax statement – conveniently, while DEGIRO remains an exciting alternative for cost-conscious self-directed investors focused on a large selection of individual securities.
Especially when trading Swiss shares and for small to medium order volumes, Saxo's fees are in some cases even lower than DEGIRO's. In addition, Saxo is regulated in Switzerland and subject to Swiss deposit protection – a clear advantage for security-conscious investors. The free Swiss e-tax statement provides additional convenience.
DEGIRO continues to impress with low fees for larger trading volumes, as a flat fee is applied. Another advantage: as a foreign broker, DEGIRO does not levy Swiss stamp duty, which has a positive impact especially on larger investments.
Welcome offers
Saxo: Get a CHF 200 credit on trading fees at Saxo. The bonus only applies if you reach the Saxo website via the partner link and open your account there. Offer details.
Degiro: Get a CHF 100 credit on trading fees at Degiro. The bonus only applies if you reach the Degiro website via the partner link and open your account there. Offer details.
Note: We are an independent Swiss financial platform. If you click on a link (affiliate link) or use a promo code from us, we receive a commission from the provider – at no extra cost to you. Accounts are opened exclusively with the provider; we do not receive any personal data. Our tests, ratings and rankings remain unaffected by this. Learn more
FAQ
Is Saxo or DEGIRO better suited for trading shares in Switzerland?
Both brokers are attractive. Saxo offers advantages in terms of security and the tax statement, while DEGIRO impresses with a larger product range and low fees for large trading volumes. For Swiss investors who value a FINMA-regulated bank, Saxo is the better choice.
What is securities lending?
With securities lending, your securities are lent to third parties. At Saxo and DEGIRO, securities lending is voluntary and you receive 50% of the income.
How good is the customer service at DEGIRO and Saxo?
Both DEGIRO and Saxo Bank Switzerland offer fast and competent customer service – a decisive advantage, as neither online broker operates branches.
Which broker suits me?
Saxo is ideal for you if …
you want to build wealth over the long term in Switzerland and invest regularly via an ETF savings plan.
you value easy tax handling with a Swiss-compliant tax statement.
security is important to you and you want to invest with a FINMA-regulated Swiss bank.
DEGIRO is the better choice if …
you focus on maximum cost efficiency for individual purchases – especially for larger amounts.
you are looking for a very wide selection of international shares and exchanges.
you can do without ETF savings plans and don't mind a somewhat more laborious tax return.
you trade independently and have an experienced understanding of investment risks.
Sources & editorial note
Editorial note: We may receive a commission from the provider for links on this page. This has no influence on our assessment – our recommendations are always editorially independent. |
Author: Aljoscha Moser
Aljoscha Moser is co-founder of Become Wealthy and an expert in finance, taxes and investing. He holds a Master of Law from the University of Basel with a focus on business and tax law and has worked, among other roles, at the Basel-Stadt tax administration, as a court clerk and as a lecturer at the IfFP. Read more
Reviewer: Flurin Bleisch
Flurin Bleisch is co-founder of Become Wealthy and is responsible for the strategic development of the independent financial comparisons. As a lawyer with a Master of Law from the University of Basel (specialising in business law), he combines legal expertise with data-driven market analysis. His professional career has taken him to the Civil District Court and a leading business law firm. Read more
