SAXO Review Switzerland: Fees, AutoInvest & my honest take

Last updated: 23.04.2026

If you’re looking for a Swiss-based broker that’s safe, easy to use, and offers a wide range of investment options (including crypto) SAXO* might just be on your radar. With over 1 million clients worldwide, a Swiss banking licence, and FINMA regulation, SAXO is a trustworthy platform that combines local security with global investment access. In this article, I’ll walk you through SAXO’s benefits and downsides, its fee structure, how to set up AutoInvest, how it compares to Swissquote and DEGIRO, and my personal experience using the platform.

SAXO’s benefits: Why we like it

Let’s start with the good stuff. SAXO* has become one of my top broker recommendations for Swiss investors and for good reason. It hits that sweet spot between Swiss regulatory safety and a truly global product range.

Here’s what makes SAXO stand out:

In short: SAXO combines the security most Swiss investors want with the product breadth that more experienced investors demand.

Downsides to keep in mind

No broker is perfect and SAXO isn’t either.

Here are the two main things to be aware of before you sign up:

• Swiss stamp duty applies (Stempelsteuer): 0.075% on Swiss ETFs and stocks, 0.15% on foreign ETFs and stocks, for both purchases and sales. This is the case across all Swiss brokers (Swissquote, NEON, Yuh, etc.), not a SAXO-specific issue.
• Share register entry not yet possible: Your name won’t appear in the official shareholder register for certain Swiss companies. This doesn’t affect you when buying ETFs - only when holding individual Swiss stocks and wanting voting rights.

Know your numbers: Trading fees at SAXO

SAXO runs a transparent pricing model for any trades you execute through the platform (think one-time investments):

What I love about SAXO is the fact that their AutoInvest feature lets you invest in 120+ selected ETFs on auto-pilot every month at CHF 0.- trading fees. For a long-term, savings-plan-style investor, that’s a serious edge.

Setting up auto-investments at SAXO

SAXO’s AutoInvest feature allows you to invest in ETFs automatically each month – a great option for building wealth without having to manually trade.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Log into your SAXO Investor* account (or open one if you haven’t yet).
2. In the settings, navigate to “Request AutoInvest”. 
3. Give your account a name for easy reference and click “Open AutoInvest account”. 
4. You are ready to get started! Now off to choosing what you want to invest in and deciding how much should be deposited from your bank account per month to fund your investments.
5. I’d recommend doing your homework first, before diving into an endless list of ETFs to choose from. It’s overwhelming and you might get stuck over-analyzing and not investing. Before setting up your monthly AutoInvest, think about how much you can spare every month, your investment goals and risk-tolerance. Can you stand to lose it all? If this seems like an insurmountable task, join my Fly Free Programme. We will go through each of these steps together so you are empowered to take investment decisions yourself going forward.
6. Should you already have your investment strategy in place, it’s time to select the ETFs you want to invest in on auto-pilot. Once you found them, click “Add” in the top right corner to add them to your monthly AutoInvest.
7. SAXO will then prompt you to dedicate a CHF number to your ETF. How much do you want to invest per month into a specific ETF? Remember, this can all be changed afterwards.
8. If you want to invest into multiple ETFs on a regular basis, enter the total number you want to invest per month (e.g. CHF 500.-) and allocate the total for each ETF (e.g. CHF 250.- into the MSCI World, CHF 250.- into the S&P 500).
9. Make sure all your information and numbers are correct and hit “Save”. You are all set and the AutoInvest feature will take it from here!
   

SAXO vs Swissquote: Which broker is better?

If you’re torn between SAXO and the Swiss broker Swissquote, here’s a side-by-side comparison:

My recommendation: Go with SAXO* - 0.- account fee and ETFs without trading fees for your monthly savings plan is hard to beat.

SAXO vs DEGIRO: Which broker is better?

Here’s a side-by-side look at how SAXO stacks up against the Dutch broker DEGIRO, so you can see the key differences at a glance:

If you want a versatile all-rounder that also makes your tax declaration easier, go with SAXO. DEGIRO has its advantages if you’re looking to trade “lump-sums” at low fees instead of building a regular monthly savings plan.

Security at SAXO Bank

Saxo Bank (Switzerland) Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland and regulated by FINMA. Client deposits are protected up to CHF 100’000.- under esisuisse. For Swiss investors, that’s the same protection standard you’d expect from any major Swiss bank.

What you should know before signing up

From my experience, SAXO isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s a quick reality check:

Looking for an alternative? Check out my comprehensive list of all relevant online brokers for Swiss investors.

My personal experience with SAXO

After using SAXO myself, here’s my honest breakdown across the dimensions that actually matter:

• Setup process (ID verification, funding, timeline): Smooth, fast, no friction.
• User experience (platform speed, reliability, bugs): Usability is intuitive. I haven’t encountered any bugs so far, making it a reliable solution for day-to-day investing.
• Customer service interactions: Only positive experiences. Very professional, fast, and service-centric.
• What I liked / disliked: You can’t directly buy crypto (e.g. USD/BTC) like on other platforms, but you can buy a crypto ETF instead – so there’s a workaround.
• Would I recommend it? Yes. In my opinion, it’s the best online brokerage solution in Switzerland right now. Cheapest for ETF trading (120+ ETFs with zero trading fees, just TER) and AutoInvest to automate your savings plan. You can open your SAXO account here*.

FAQs around the Swiss broker SAXO

Is SAXO safe and regulated in Switzerland?

Yes. SAXO is regulated in Switzerland by FINMA and operates under strict financial oversight. It’s also subject to European regulations and offers investor protection schemes, making it a secure platform for Swiss investors.

How much does it cost to trade stocks on SAXO?

Trading fees vary depending on market and asset class. For Swiss stocks, fees start from 0.03–0.08% with a minimum of CHF 3.- per trade. US stocks start at USD 1.- per trade. Currency conversion fees (0.25%) may also apply - check the fee overview above for more details.

Can I set up automatic ETF investments with SAXO?

Yes, via AutoInvest. You can select from 120+ eligible ETFs and set a fixed CHF amount to invest monthly on autopilot, with zero trading fees.

Is SAXO good for beginners?

Yes, if you want a Swiss-based, regulated broker with a modern platform and automatic investing options. That said, beginners should be aware of stamp duty costs and have a basic investment strategy in place before starting.

Don’t know how to set up an investment strategy? No worries, learn more about my Fly Free Programme here, where we’ll set it up together, step-by-step.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, marked with an asterisk (*). If you open an account via one of these links, Finance Phoenix may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools and services we use and trust ourselves.