Plus500 Review 2024

Last updated Apr 15, 2024
Логотип Plus500
3.6/5
№48 in the brokers' list81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Nikolay Zavarov - Author
Nikolay Zavarov
Author
Andrey Bondarenko - Editor
Andrey Bondarenko
Editor
81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Are you a Forex trader looking for an innovative and reliable broker? Take a look at Plus500!

In this comprehensive platform review, we will cover its features, benefits, offered currency pairs, available account types, and much more - you will get all the necessary information to decide whether opening an account with Plus500 is the right decision.

Plus500 Broker Overview

Foundation Year2007
Official Websitehttps://www.plus500.com
Regulated in CountriesCyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United StatesMore Details
Minimum Deposit
  • 100 USD
Spreadfrom 0.6 points
Max Leverage1:30
Trading Assets
  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • ETF
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Agricultural Commodities
Trading Platforms
  • WebTrader
Email Support
  • support@plus500.com
Hotline Phones
Social Media

The brokerage Plus500, established in 2008, is known for its focus on CFD (Contract for Difference) contracts. These contracts enable traders to speculate on the price movements of financial assets without actually owning them. It's important to note that while this can lead to potential profits, it also involves significant risks, including the possibility of capital losses.

Since its inception, Contracts for Difference (CFDs) have been the critical trading direction for the broker. Since 2009, the company has become the first to eliminate commissions on such transactions.

The company's official website is located at plus500.com. The interface and support are available in 31 languages.

The broker's trading model is a market maker or DD (Dealing Desk).

Plus500 Review Summary

In evaluating Plus500, we adhered to strict and thoroughly developed criteria outlined in our broker evaluation methodology. Every aspect of the broker's operations, from the trading instruments and platforms offered to the quality of educational materials and the efficiency of customer support, was meticulously analyzed and rated by our team. We strongly recommend that you study our methodology to understand better how we form our evaluations. Continue reading to learn more about all the advantages and disadvantages of working with Plus500.

Reliability and Regulation

Rating:5/5
Legal EntityRegulatorReview
Current review
Plus500 US review

Plus500 is registered and regulated in several jurisdictions, including Cyprus (CySEC), the United Kingdom (FCA), Australia (ASIC), Seychelles (SFSA), Estonia (EFSA), Singapore (MAS), and the United States (CFTC, NFA). The broker must adhere to strict financial standards and report its activities regularly to regulators.

Plus500UK Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 509909).

Account Opening

Rating:4.5/5

Plus500 opening an account is quite easy thanks to a fast registration process and a relatively low minimum deposit. However, the CFD knowledge test may present some difficulty for beginners.

Beginners must understand the risks involved in CFD trading. To mitigate these risks, it's strongly advised that newcomers utilize Plus500's demo account and engage with the Trading Academy. These resources offer a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of trading strategies and market dynamics before trading with real capital. Engaging with these tools can help make more informed decisions and better manage the inherent risks of trading.

Registration

To create an account with Plus500, complete a form on the company's official website. Initially, you must enter your email address and create a password.

Creating a Plus500 account
Creating a Plus500 account

Verification

For account verification, you must enter your details, including your full name and residential address. You will need to confirm these details with scans of your documents.

As the regulator requires, you must also take a short CFD knowledge test.

Minimum Deposit

To open an account with Plus500, a minimum deposit of 100 US dollars is required. This ensures you are ready to start trading and have sufficient funds for initial transactions.

It is important to note that the minimum deposit amount may be equivalent to 100 dollars in another currency of your account. Plus500 offers accounts in various currencies, including:

  1. United States Dollar (USD),

  2. Euro (EUR),

  3. British Pound (GBP),

  4. Australian Dollar (AUD),

  5. Canadian Dollar (CAD),

  6. Swiss Franc (CHF),

  7. Japanese Yen (JPY),

  8. Swedish Krona (SEK),

  9. Norwegian Krone (NOK),

  10. Czech Koruna (CZK),

  11. Polish Zloty (PLN),

  12. Hungarian Forint (HUF),

  13. Turkish Lira (TRY),

  14. Singapore Dollar (SGD).

Account Types

Rating:2/5

The lack of account diversity and market execution of orders at Plus500 significantly limits flexibility and opportunities for traders of various categories.

Account variability allows a broker to meet the needs of different categories of traders, including professionals, beginners, high-volume traders, and those who follow the principles of Islamic banking.

Market execution of orders is also preferable for many traders, as it ensures the fastest transaction execution.

Trading Account

Plus500 offers only one type of trading account to its customers.

-
Account CurrencyUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD
Minimum Deposit100 $
Trading PlatformsWebTrader
Spreadfloatingfrom 0.6 pipsfor EURUSD~ 1.2 pips
Commission per Trade
Trading AssetsForexIndicesStocksETFPrecious MetalsEnergy CarriersAgricultural Commodities
Opened Positions
Leverage1:2-1:30
Margin Call / Stop Out100% / 100%
Order ExecutionMM
Demo Account
Islamic Account
Register

A vital advantage of the company is the absence of commissions for using the service. The broker's income consists only of small spreads.

Demo Account

The broker can work on an unlimited virtual account to practice new strategies and try unfamiliar instruments, test indicators, and advisors. This option is excellent for beginners who want to gain experience. Professional traders can also benefit from the demo version to refine new strategies.

Commissions

Rating:2.5/5

Plus500 has gained popularity among traders due to its commission policy. The platform does not charge trading commissions, relying on market spreads and swaps. However, traders should know that other fees may affect their trades' overall cost and potential profitability. As with all trading activities, profit and loss are risks, and fees can further affect financial outcomes.

Spreads and Swaps

The primary revenue model for Plus500 is based on spreads, which are the difference between the bid and ask quotes of a currency pair or other trading instrument. It should be noted that Plus500's spreads are variable and can change depending on market conditions. Spreads at Plus500 are rated as market average, while swaps (overnight funding) are above average.

Below are the average spreads (in pips) and swaps for major currency pairs.

AssetAverage spreadSwap longSwap short
AUDUSD1.2 pips-0.01 %-0.00 %
EURUSD1.2 pips-0.01 %-0.00 %
GBPUSD1.7 pips-0.01 %-0.01 %
NZDUSD2.2 pips-0.01 %-0.01 %
USDCAD2.0 pips-0.00 %-0.01 %
USDCHF1.7 pips0.00 %-0.02 %
USDJPY1.9 pips0.01 %-0.02 %

Currency Conversion Fee

Plus500 charges a currency conversion fee for transactions with instruments denominated in a currency different from the currency of your account. The currency conversion fee is currently set at up to 0.7% of the realized net profit or loss of the trade and is reflected in real-time in the unrealized net profit of an open position.

Guaranteed Stop Order

The Guaranteed Stop Order on the Plus500 platform is a risk management tool that guarantees executing a stop loss at a predetermined level. This feature is handy in volatile market conditions. However, you should note that the Guaranteed Stop Order is subject to an extended spread fee. This spread is non-refundable after the order is activated and is always specified before placing the order.

It is important to note that a Guaranteed Stop Order can only be placed when opening a new position and only during the trading hours of the corresponding instrument. Once the order is placed, it cannot be canceled, but the stop level can be changed.

Inactivity Fee

The broker also imposes an inactivity fee if you have not logged into your trading account for three months. The fee is up to 10 US dollars per month and is charged once a month until you log into the trading account. However, this fee is only deducted if sufficient funds are in the account.

Deposit and Withdrawal

Rating:4/5

Plus500 offers many payment systems, making depositing and withdrawing funds convenient for most clients. The absence of fees for deposits and withdrawals is a significant advantage. However, the processing time for withdrawal requests can take up to three business days, which some clients may find somewhat lengthy.

Deposit Methods

The following methods are used for depositing funds:

Payment SystemCurrenciesDeposit FeeOperation Limit
PayPalPayPal
USDEURGBP
0%
from 100 USD
SkrillSkrill
USDEURGBP
0%
from 100 USD
Bank TransferBank Transfer
USDEURGBP
0%
from 500 USD
VisaVisa
USDEURGBP
0%
from 100 USD
MastercardMastercard
USDEURGBP
0%
from 100 USD

Plus500 covers most of the fees for payment processing. In some cases, a fee may be charged by the payment system.

Withdrawal Methods

Similar methods are available for withdrawing earned funds.

Payment SystemCurrenciesWithdrawal FeeOperation Limit
PayPalPayPal
USDEURGBP
0%
from 50 USD
SkrillSkrill
USDEURGBP
0%
from 50 USD
Bank TransferBank Transfer
USDEURGBP
0%
from 100 USD
VisaVisa
USDEURJPY
0%
from 100 USD
MastercardMastercard
USDEURGBP
0%
from 100 USD

Withdrawals must be made to the same payment system from which the initial deposit was made.

Withdrawal request processing times usually range from 1-3 business days. The timing of the payment receipt depends on the payment method and the processing time of the payment system executing the transfer.

Markets and Products

Rating:5/5

Plus500 offers a broad diversity of products and markets, including CFDs on currencies, indices, commodities, stocks, and ETFs from various countries worldwide. A wide selection of trading instruments makes this platform attractive for traders with different strategies and preferences.

What markets are available?

The company provides a vast number of CFD assets for trading, among which are:

BrokerIC MarketsPlus500Pepperstone
Forex616597
Precious Metals7520
Energy Carriers574
Agricultural Commodities81016
Indices253626
Stocks21751550986
ETF3896108
Bonds10
Cryptocurrency2130

CFD on Stocks and ETFs

On the Plus500 platform, you can trade more than 1900 CFDs on stocks and ETFs. Stocks and ETFs are represented from the following countries:

  • USA
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Ireland
  • Hong Kong
  • Denmark
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Finland
  • Belgium
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Japan
  • Portugal
  • Greece
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Norway
  • Hungary
  • Austria

Margin Requirements

The maximum leverage ratio depends on your country of residence and the instrument. European, Australian, and British traders can trade with leverage up to 1:30.

Trading InstrumentMax. Leverage for Retail TradersMax. Leverage for Pro Traders
Forex
1:30
1:300
Precious Metals
1:20
1:150
Energy Carriers
1:10
1:150
Agricultural Commodities
1:10
1:150
Indices
1:20
1:150
Stocks
1:5
1:20
ETF
1:5
1:100

Trading Platforms

Rating:3.5/5

Plus500 offers a unique trading platform designed with client convenience in mind. It provides access to valuable features such as trading asset specifications, client trade analysis, economic calendar, and various types of orders.

Despite the lack of choice between different platforms, trendy ones like MT4 or MT5, Plus500's trading platform still offers all the necessary functionality and can be convenient for most traders.

Plus500 Platform

Unlike most of its peers, Plus500 provides its clients only one trading terminal, individually developed by the company's specialists. The Trading Program is available in several versions:

  • web terminal for PCs and laptops;
  • mobile application for Android and iOS.
Plus500 Platform. Illustrative prices
Plus500 Platform. Illustrative prices

The following orders are available for trading on Plus500:

  • Market buy or sell;
  • Take-profit;
  • Stop-loss;
  • Trailing stop;
  • Buy- and Sell-limit.

Additionally, for the trader's convenience, the following are available in the terminal tab:

  • trading asset specifications;
  • trader's sentiments (Trader's Sentiments);
  • economic calendar;
  • +Insights - Plus500 client trade analysis.
Plus500 Platform. Illustrative prices
Plus500 Platform. Illustrative prices

Analytics

Rating:4.2/5

Plus500 provides essential analysis tools. However, some traders may lack deeper expert analysis from the broker.

News

Plus500 offers regular news updates and analytical materials, informing traders about market events. This helps to catch new trends and make timely trading decisions.

News on Plus500. Illustrative prices
News on Plus500. Illustrative prices

ESG

Plus500 integrates the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concept into its trading platform. The ESG system evaluates a company based on environmental, social, and governance factors. This allows traders to make more informed decisions when trading stocks and indices.

ESG scoring on Plus500. Illustrative prices
ESG scoring on Plus500. Illustrative prices

Insights+

The Insights+ service allows traders to analyze the activity of millions of Plus500 clients in real time. This can help identify critical trends and popular market strategies, giving an additional edge in the trading process.

Insights Plus500. Illustrative prices
Insights Plus500. Illustrative prices

Education

Rating:2.5/5

Plus500 provides high-quality video tutorials that explain various aspects of trading in detail and an accessible manner. This is an excellent resource for beginners and experienced traders to improve their trading skills and strategies. However, the lack of other educational materials, such as webinars, podcasts, and articles, limits access to diverse education, which may be necessary for a comprehensive understanding and study of the market.

Video Tutorials

One of the critical elements of Plus500's educational materials is the video tutorials. They cover various topics, from the basics of CFD trading to more complex aspects, such as understanding the risk/reward ratio and using various trading charts.

The video tutorials detail topics such as "What is CFD trading all about?", "Slippage when opening a trade", "How to trade on Plus500", and many others. All lessons are easily understandable and equipped with step-by-step instructions, making them an ideal learning tool regardless of the trader's experience level.

Plus500 Video Tutorials
Plus500 Video Tutorials

Customer Support

Rating:3/5

Support is available 24/7 and includes all languages the website has been translated, which is a significant advantage. However, there is only one communication channel - a feedback form on the website, which may hinder timely issue resolution. Also, the necessity to refer to a third party in dispute situations could be seen as a potential drawback.

How to contact support?

If the answer to a question is not found in the FAQ section, a client can address their issue to the company's staff. To do this, one must fill out a particular feedback form, which can be found in the "Contact" section.

Customer Support Working Hours

Support operates on a 24/7 schedule. All languages into which the website has been translated are available for communication.

Dispute Resolution

In the event of any dispute situations that cannot be clarified through customer support, one should reach out to the partner company, the UK Financial Ombudsman. The official website of this organization is located at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

Many users find it inconvenient that resolving serious disagreements is conducted through the mediation of a third party. This complicates the process and raises additional suspicions that the broker's administration is trying to avoid responsibility for errors committed or issues that arise.

No other methods of communication with Plus500 representatives are indicated on the official website.

Plus500 Pros and Cons

Advantages

  1. Diversity of Trading Instruments. Plus500 offers a wide selection of CFDs on stocks, indices, currency pairs, commodities, and ETFs.
  2. Intuitive Platform. The Plus500 trading platform is designed to be simple and user-friendly.
  3. 24/7 Support. Customer support is available 24/7, ensuring timely resolution of any issues.
  4. Built-in Analytics. Plus500 offers its clients access to the Insight+ analytics tool, which allows for real-time analysis of the activity of millions of Plus500 clients.

Disadvantages

  1. Limited Educational Resources. The broker offers only video tutorials; there are no webinars, text articles, or other forms of education.
  2. Limited Technical Support. The only communication channel is a feedback form on the website; there is no direct contact via phone or email.
  3. Limited Choice of Trading Accounts. Plus500 offers only one type of trading account, significantly limiting flexibility and options for traders of various categories.

Conclusion

Plus500 is ideal for traders seeking a convenient and intuitive platform with a broad spectrum of trading instruments. It's particularly well-suited for those who value a diverse range of CFDs on stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, and ETFs. The built-in Insight+ analytics tool is a significant advantage for those keen on analyzing trends and activities based on real-time data.

81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Visit Plus50081% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Nikolay Zavarov - AuthorNikolay ZavarovAuthor

Nikolay is an experienced specialist in financial markets and co-founder of IamForexTrader. He has been successfully trading Forex since 2014 and has been actively involved in the cryptocurrency market since 2017.

He develops investment strategies adaptable to any level of experience and has been actively investing in stocks, bonds and ETFs since 2018.

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