Side by side
Interactive Brokers vs Swissquote vs Saxo
Choose up to four firms. We compare what matters when things go wrong: licences, compensation, legal protections, track record, then platforms and products.
| Firm | Interactive Brokers | Swissquote | Saxo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection Score | 82 | 90 | 82 |
| Licence status | EU/EEA licence | EU/EEA licence | EU/EEA licence |
| European licences | Central Bank of Ireland FCA | FINMA FCA CSSF MFSA | Finanstilsynet (DK) FCA FINMA |
| Other licences | SEC / FINRA CFTC / NFA ASIC SFC MAS FSA Japan CIRO | DFSA (Dubai) SFC | ASIC MAS SFC FSA Japan |
| Compensation via EU/UK/CH entity | Central Bank of Ireland: 90% of the loss, up to €20,000 per investor FCA: Up to £85,000 per person per firm for investments | FINMA: Securities are separated from the bank's own assets; cash is covered by deposit protection FCA: Up to £85,000 per person per firm for investments CSSF: Up to €20,000 per investor MFSA: 90% of the net liability, up to €20,000 per investor | Finanstilsynet (DK): At least €20,000 per investor (EU minimum under the Investor Compensation Schemes Directive 97/9/EC; schemes may cover 90% of the claim). FCA: Up to £85,000 per person per firm for investments FINMA: Securities are separated from the bank's own assets; cash is covered by deposit protection |
| Negative balance protection (retail) | Yes, by law via EU/UK entity | Yes, by law via EU/UK entity | Yes, by law via EU/UK entity |
| Headquarters |  United States |  Switzerland |  Denmark |
| Founded | 1978 | 1996 | 1992 |
| Type | Multi-asset brokers | Multi-asset brokers | Multi-asset brokers |
| Listed / bank | Listed group | Listed group, Banking licence | Banking licence |
| Platforms | IBKR Trader Workstation, Own platform | Own platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | Own platform, TradingView |
| Products | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, CFDs, Bonds, Funds | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Options, Futures, Funds | Forex, CFDs, Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds |
| Features | Professional accounts, Direct market access | — | Professional accounts, Direct market access |
| Full profile | Full profile | Full profile |
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