Focus Markets vs Plus500 Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and Plus500. Find out which broker is best for you.
- Rating
- Rank
- #60
Trading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds
- Rating
- Rank
- #23
80% 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.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - Focus Markets or Plus500?
Our pick: Plus500
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Plus500 looks preferable to Focus Markets.
Plus500 scored 4.3/5 and ranks 23 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Focus Markets suitable for?
Focus Markets is suitable for experienced Forex/CFD traders who trade via MT5 and independently use external analytics.
Who is Plus500 suitable for?
Plus500 is a robust choice for seasoned traders who appreciate a variety of trading CFDs and advanced analytical capabilities.
Comparison Table of Focus Markets and Plus500
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2008 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Focus Markets Review | Plus500 Review |
Focus Markets Review
Focus Markets is a broker aimed primarily at independent Forex and CFD traders who value access to popular markets, the familiar MetaTrader 5 platform, and a clear trading account structure. It is not the most versatile option for beginners who need strong education, regular analytics, and a wide selection of services within the broker’s ecosystem.
Focus Markets is best suited to experienced traders who already use external analytics sources, make trading decisions independently, and are looking for a broker for active CFD trading. For beginner clients, the broker may be less convenient due to its weak educational base and limited support in making trading decisions.
Pros and Cons of Focus Markets
Pros
- More than 700 CFD instruments are available, including Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
- MetaTrader 5 is supported with WebTrader, mobile versions, Expert Advisors, and one-click trading.
- The broker does not charge internal fees for deposits and withdrawals.
- Various deposit methods are available: cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets.
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts.
- No MetaTrader 4, cTrader, or proprietary trading platform.
- Weak analytics: no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party analytical services.
- No educational materials for beginners.
Plus500 Review
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.
Pros and Cons of Plus500
Pros
- Intuitive CFD trading platform.
- 24/7 support.
- Built-in analytics.
- Diversity of trading assets.
Cons
- Limited channels for communication with technical support.
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
Plus500 is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2008 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| Regulators |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets combines a regulated Australian division with international structures in Mauritius and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Client protection depends on the legal entity.
Pros
- There is a division supervised by ASIC.
- The group’s international structure is disclosed.
Cons
- No compensation fund.
- No information about additional funds insurance.
Plus500
Plus500 is registered and regulated in several jurisdictions by authoritative bodies. This means that the broker is required to adhere to strict financial standards and provide regular reports on its activities to regulators.
Account Opening
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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Focus Markets
Opening an account with Focus Markets is convenient and fairly fast: registration is completed online, the questionnaire is clear, and document verification usually takes up to 24 business hours.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Clear 3-step questionnaire.
- Wide selection of account base currencies.
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification is required.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- No instant activation of a live account.
Plus500
Opening an account with Plus500 is straightforward due to its fast registration and low minimum deposit. Beginners should use the demo account and Trading Academy to learn before real trading.
Account Types
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 2/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ account lineup covers traders’ basic needs, but remains limited: only Standard and Raw are available, with no cent, Islamic, or fixed-spread account.
Pros
- Standard and Raw accounts are available.
- 30-day demo account.
- Trader copy trading is available.
Cons
- No cent account.
- No Islamic account.
- No fixed-spread account.
Plus500
The lack of account diversity and market execution of orders at Plus500 significantly limits flexibility and opportunities for traders of various categories.
Commissions
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.6 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Commission per Lot | $3.5 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ fees are average: spreads and swaps on Standard are typical for the market, the Raw commission is $3.5 per lot per side, and withdrawals are free of broker fees.
Pros
- No withdrawal fee from the broker.
Cons
- An account inactivity fee may apply.
Plus500
Plus500 offers clients market average trading commissions.
Pros
- No commission for deposit or withdrawal.
Cons
- Inactivity account fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Focus Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Focus Markets are convenient: many methods are available, there are no internal fees, and withdrawal times are usually 1–3 business days.
Pros
- Cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets are available.
- No internal broker fees.
- Most deposits are processed quickly.
Cons
- Withdrawals are reviewed by the finance department.
- Fees from banks and providers may apply.
Plus500
Plus500 offers convenient and diverse methods for depositing and withdrawing funds, but processing requests may take up to 3 business days.
Pros
- Wide selection of payment systems.
- No commission for depositing and withdrawing.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 65 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 5 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 7 |
| Indices | 8 | 36 |
| Stocks | 500 | 1550 |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | - |
| Soft Commodities | - | 10 |
| ETF | - | 96 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers a wide selection of CFD instruments: Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- More than 700 instruments.
- Leverage up to 1:500.
Cons
- No real stocks or ETFs.
- No soft commodities.
Plus500
Plus500 offers a deep diversity of products and markets, including CFDs on currencies, indices, commodities, stocks, and ETFs from various countries worldwide.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers the reliable and functional MT5 platform, but the selection is limited: there is no MT4, cTrader, or proprietary broker platform.
Pros
- MetaTrader 5 is available.
- WebTrader and mobile versions are available.
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4.
- No cTrader.
- No proprietary platform.
Plus500
Plus500 offers an efficient, user-friendly platform, however, there is no choice between platforms.
Pros
- Proprietary platform
- Available on mobile devices.
Cons
- No choice between platforms.
Analytics
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ analytics are weak: there are no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party services such as Trading Central or Autochartist.
Cons
- No market reviews.
- No trading signals.
- No analytics from third-party providers.
Plus500
Plus500 offers good analytical tools and useful services.
Pros
- Insights+
- ESG scoring
- Convenient risk management tools
Education
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Focus Markets
Education at Focus Markets is poorly developed: instead of a full knowledge base, the broker offers only an FAQ, with no courses, webinars, video lessons, or market analysis materials.
Pros
- There is an FAQ on key questions.
Cons
- No educational courses.
- No webinars or video lessons.
- No materials on strategies or market analysis.
Plus500
Plus500 offers its users quality training through webinars, interactive materials and e-books. This allows traders to gain comprehensive knowledge for a successful start and effective trading.
Pros
- Quality and detailed video lessons
- Free webinars from independent experts
- Interactive guides and e-books
Customer Support
| Broker | Focus Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones | — | — |
| Social Media | — |
Facebook
Twitter
InstagramFocus Markets
Focus Markets’ technical support is basic: online chat, email, and an FAQ are available, with a 24/5 schedule, but there are few contact channels and limited public feedback on service quality.
Pros
- Online chat is available on the website.
- Support operates 24/5.
Cons
- No clearly specified social networks or messengers.
- Limited number of public reviews.
Plus500
The Plus500 customer support is limited and not ideal, although it provides support in multiple languages 24/7.
Pros
- Support in many languages.
- Operates around the clock.
Cons
- Lack of direct communication channels (e.g., telephone).
- Potential delays in responses due to limited communication channels.
Comparisons of Focus Markets and Plus500 with other brokers
Conclusion
Plus500 stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
Plus500 scored 4.3/5 and ranks 23 in our rating; Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Focus Markets or Plus500?
Plus500 comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 23) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or Plus500?
Plus500 is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Focus Markets or Plus500?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with Focus Markets and Plus500?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. Plus500: WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and Plus500?
Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Plus500: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Focus Markets and Plus500?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. Plus500: Plus500. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Focus Markets and Plus500?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Plus500: PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus Markets or Plus500 — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
