SB
Saxo Bank
4.0 / 5Score: 3 / 5
Institutional-grade regulation and three decades of banking heritage for serious multi-asset investors.
- Min deposit
- $2000
- Max leverage
- 1:200
- Spread from
- 0.4 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, MAS, ASIC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/25/2026
Saxo Bank vs Aetos Capital: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Saxo Bank and Aetos Capital target very different traders — one built for regulatory depth and premium tools, the other for accessibility and tight spreads. Our proprietary research gives Saxo Bank the overall edge at 4.0/5 against Aetos Capital's 3.4/5. Here's exactly why, and where Aetos Capital still fights back.
AC
Aetos Capital
3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 5
Low-cost, high-leverage access to forex and crypto CFDs starting with just $50.
- Min deposit
- $50
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA
Overall Winner
Saxo Bank
Best for Beginners
Saxo Bank
Lowest Fees
Aetos Capital
Top Regulation
Saxo Bank
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | SB Saxo Bank | AC Aetos Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 1992 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen, Denmark | Sydney, Australia |
| Regulation | FCA, MAS, ASIC | ASIC, FCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $2000 | $50 |
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $0.08/lot | $3.5/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile | MT4, MT5 |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Saxo Bank
$2000
Aetos Capital
$50
Spreads From
Saxo Bank
0.4 pips
Aetos Capital
0 pips
Commission
Saxo Bank
$0.08/lot
Aetos Capital
$3.5/lot
Deposit Fees
Saxo Bank
None
Aetos Capital
None
Withdrawal Fees
Saxo Bank
None
Aetos Capital
None
Pros & cons
SB
Saxo Bank
Pros
- Backed by over three decades of operating history since 1992
- Holds three tier-1 regulatory licences for stronger capital protection
- Very low per-lot commission at $0.08
- Broad multi-asset market access including direct stocks
- No fees charged on deposits or withdrawals
- Higher overall independent rating at 4.0/5
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2000 is a high barrier for beginners
- Maximum leverage capped at 1:200, lower than industry peers
- Wider spreads from 0.4 pips compared to raw-spread competitors
- Proprietary-only platforms lack MetaTrader's third-party tool ecosystem
- No explicit cryptocurrency market listed
AC
Aetos Capital
Pros
- Extremely low $50 minimum deposit for new traders
- Raw spreads starting from 0 pips
- Higher maximum leverage up to 1:500
- Industry-standard MT4 and MT5 platform support
- Cryptocurrency CFDs included in market offering
- No deposit or withdrawal fees charged
Cons
- Higher $3.5 per lot commission compared to Saxo Bank
- Fewer regulatory licences with only ASIC and FCA coverage
- Shorter operating history since 2013
- Lower overall independent rating at 3.4/5
- No direct stock market access listed
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Saxo Bank
Lowest fees Aetos Capital
Best regulation Saxo Bank
Better for beginners Saxo Bank
Saxo Bank is our top pick overall in this matchup, earning a 4.0/5 rating compared to Aetos Capital's 3.4/5, thanks to superior tier-1 regulation (FCA, MAS, ASIC) and a longer 30+ year track record. That said, Aetos Capital fights back hard on cost and accessibility, offering spreads from 0 pips and a minimum deposit of just $50 versus Saxo Bank's $2000 entry point. Traders prioritizing safety and institutional-grade infrastructure should choose Saxo Bank, while budget-conscious or high-leverage traders may lean toward Aetos Capital.
Regulation & Safety
Saxo Bank holds licences across three tier-1 jurisdictions — the FCA, MAS, and ASIC — giving it one of the more comprehensive regulatory footprints in this comparison. This multi-jurisdictional oversight matters most for traders who value fund segregation, capital adequacy requirements, and dispute resolution frameworks typical of established banking regulators.
Aetos Capital is not unregulated by any means, holding licences from both ASIC and FCA, which still places it among credibly supervised brokers. However, with two licences versus Saxo Bank's three, and a shorter operating history since 2013 versus 1992, Saxo Bank presents the deeper institutional safety net.
For traders whose top priority is capital protection above all else, particularly those holding larger account balances, Saxo Bank's regulatory breadth is the stronger foundation.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
This is where Aetos Capital claws back significant ground. Its spreads start from 0 pips, undercutting Saxo Bank's 0.4 pip minimum, making it the more attractive option for scalpers and high-frequency traders sensitive to spread costs.
On commissions, however, the picture flips. Saxo Bank charges a notably lower $0.08 per lot compared to Aetos Capital's $3.5 per lot, meaning the total cost of trading can vary significantly depending on strategy and volume.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome consistency for cost-conscious traders on both sides. Active high-volume traders should model both spread and commission structures against their typical trade size before deciding, since Saxo Bank's low commission can offset its wider spread on larger trades.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
Accessibility is a clear win for Aetos Capital. Its $50 minimum deposit is dramatically lower than Saxo Bank's $2000 requirement, opening the door to traders with limited starting capital or those wanting to test a platform before committing serious funds.
Saxo Bank's higher deposit threshold reflects its positioning as a more premium, institutionally-minded broker, which naturally filters toward traders with larger account sizes.
Beginners or students exploring live trading for the first time will likely find Aetos Capital's entry point far friendlier, while more capitalized traders won't be deterred by Saxo Bank's requirement.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Saxo Bank relies on its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile platforms, giving it full control over feature rollouts, charting tools, and interface design tailored to its multi-asset offering.
Aetos Capital instead runs on the industry-standard MT4 and MT5 platforms, which benefit from massive third-party indicator libraries, expert advisor compatibility, and a trading community most retail forex traders already know intimately.
The right pick here depends on preference: traders who value a polished, all-in-one proprietary ecosystem should lean toward Saxo Bank, while those who want algorithmic trading flexibility and familiar MetaTrader tools will prefer Aetos Capital.
Leverage & Market Access
Aetos Capital offers considerably higher maximum leverage at 1:500, compared to Saxo Bank's more conservative 1:200 cap. Higher leverage can amplify both gains and losses, so this suits experienced traders comfortable managing that added risk.
In terms of market breadth, Saxo Bank covers Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Indices, and Commodities, appealing to multi-asset investors. Aetos Capital covers Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto, notably including cryptocurrency exposure that Saxo Bank's lineup here does not list.
Traders wanting direct stock exposure alongside forex will find Saxo Bank's markets more diversified for traditional investing, while crypto-curious traders may find Aetos Capital's inclusion of digital assets a meaningful differentiator.
Our Verdict
Saxo Bank is the stronger all-around broker in this comparison, earning our recommendation with a 4.0/5 rating driven by superior regulation, a three-decade track record, and lower per-lot commissions. It's the safer, more institution-grade choice for traders prioritizing regulatory depth and multi-asset investing.
Aetos Capital remains a genuinely solid alternative for cost-sensitive beginners, offering a dramatically lower minimum deposit, tighter raw spreads, and higher leverage for those who want it.
Ultimately, well-capitalized traders and long-term investors should lean Saxo Bank, while newer traders testing strategies on a smaller budget may find Aetos Capital's accessibility hard to beat.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Saxo Bank wins overall
Saxo Bank edges out Aetos Capital overall based on our expert rating score.
SB
Highest Rated
Saxo Bank
4.0 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (4/5).
Saxo BankBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Saxo BankLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Aetos CapitalStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Saxo Bank
Frequently asked questions
According to our proprietary rating system, Saxo Bank scores higher overall at 4.0/5 compared to Aetos Capital's 3.4/5. Saxo Bank's advantage comes primarily from stronger regulatory coverage across three tier-1 authorities and a much longer operating history. That said, Aetos Capital remains competitive on cost, so the better choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize safety and infrastructure or affordability and accessibility.
It depends on your trading style. Aetos Capital advertises spreads from 0 pips, tighter than Saxo Bank's 0.4 pip minimum, making it attractive for scalpers. However, Saxo Bank charges a much lower commission of $0.08 per lot versus Aetos Capital's $3.5 per lot, so high-volume traders may actually pay less overall with Saxo Bank.
Saxo Bank requires a minimum deposit of $2000, positioning it as a more premium offering aimed at capitalized traders. Aetos Capital only requires $50 to open an account, making it significantly more accessible for beginners or those wanting to test the platform with minimal upfront risk.
Saxo Bank is regulated by the FCA, MAS, and ASIC, giving it three tier-1 regulatory licences. Aetos Capital is regulated by ASIC and FCA, covering two respected authorities. While both are credibly regulated, Saxo Bank's broader licence coverage and 30+ year history give it a modest edge in perceived safety.
Saxo Bank operates its own Proprietary Web and Proprietary Mobile platforms, built in-house to integrate directly with its multi-asset offering. Aetos Capital instead supports the widely used MT4 and MT5 platforms, giving traders access to a large ecosystem of custom indicators, expert advisors, and automated trading tools.
Aetos Capital is well suited to beginners thanks to its low $50 minimum deposit and familiar MetaTrader platforms, which have extensive educational resources available across the broader trading community. However, its higher maximum leverage of 1:500 means new traders should exercise caution and use proper risk management to avoid amplified losses.
Aetos Capital includes cryptocurrency CFDs in its market offering alongside forex, indices, and commodities. Saxo Bank's listed markets focus on Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Indices, and Commodities, with no cryptocurrency CFDs explicitly included, making Aetos Capital the better option for crypto-focused traders.
Aetos Capital offers maximum leverage of up to 1:500, significantly higher than Saxo Bank's cap of 1:200. Traders who want to control larger positions with smaller capital outlays may prefer Aetos Capital, though higher leverage also increases potential downside risk and requires disciplined risk management.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, according to our research. This makes moving funds in and out of either account cost-neutral, though traders should always verify current terms directly with the broker since fee policies can change over time.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from holding accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across multiple platforms to access different markets, tools, and fee structures, using Saxo Bank for multi-asset investing and Aetos Capital for lower-cost, high-leverage forex trading.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.