Interactive Brokers vs Plus500 Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Interactive Brokers and Plus500. Find out which broker is best for you.
- Rating
- Rank
- #74
Trading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds
- Rating
- Rank
- #3
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.
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 - Interactive Brokers or Plus500?
Key differences between the brokers
Below, we show only the differences in trading conditions covered in our reviews. These may include the minimum deposit, available markets, platforms and account types. Compare these details with your requirements.
Interactive Brokers
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 1 USD
- Different platforms
- IBKR Mobile
- Trader WorkStation (TWS)
- IMPACT
- IBKR Desktop
- Client Portal
- GlobalTrader
- Different markets
- None listed
Plus500
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 100 USD
- Different platforms
- WebTrader
- Different markets
- Soft Commodities
- ETF
Comparison Table of Interactive Brokers and Plus500
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year | 1977 | 2008 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:50 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review |
Interactive Brokers Review
Interactive Brokers is one of the largest international brokers, offering extensive opportunities for trading and investing in global financial markets. The company combines high reliability, competitive trading conditions and advanced technological infrastructure. Thanks to its many years of experience, international regulation and continuous service development, Interactive Brokers holds a leading position among brokers for self-directed investing.
Interactive Brokers is primarily suited to experienced traders, active investors and professional market participants who value a wide range of instruments, low fees and advanced trading capabilities. The broker is also an excellent choice for long-term investors building diversified portfolios. For beginners, Interactive Brokers is suitable if they are willing to learn a fairly complex trading infrastructure.
Pros and Cons of Interactive Brokers
Pros
- High reliability and regulation by leading financial authorities.
- A wide range of financial instruments and access to more than 175 markets.
- Low trading commissions and favourable margin lending rates.
- Powerful trading platforms and professional analytical tools.
- A wide range of account types and high-quality educational materials.
Cons
- Complex interface and a steep learning curve for beginners.
- Inconsistent quality of technical support.
- Limited choice of deposit and withdrawal methods.
Interactive Brokers is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
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
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1977 | 2008 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| Regulators |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is highly reliable thanks to strict international regulation, substantial capital and mechanisms protecting client assets.
Pros
- Regulation by SEC, FCA, ASIC and other reputable authorities.
- Strong financial stability and substantial capital.
- Segregation of assets and insurance protection for client accounts.
Cons
- Regulatory fines in 2020 and 2025.
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
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers convenient online account opening with no minimum deposit. However, the detailed application form and strict verification make registration more complex and time-consuming than with many brokers.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- No minimum deposit.
- Wide choice of account types and base currencies.
Cons
- A lengthy and detailed application form.
- Strict verification requirements.
- Possible delays in document verification.
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
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.5/5 | 2/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:50 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Swap-free Account | No | No |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers a wide range of accounts for investors and traders of all experience levels. Flexible terms, various margin trading modes and specialised accounts can meet virtually any investment need.
Pros
- A wide range of accounts for individual and institutional clients.
- Flexible margin trading options.
- A demo account and no minimum deposit.
Cons
- A complex account type system for beginners.
- High capital requirements for Portfolio Margin.
Plus500
The lack of account diversity and market execution of orders at Plus500 significantly limits flexibility and opportunities for traders of various categories.
Commissions
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0.6 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | — | 1.2 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$2.00 | No data |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers some of the lowest commissions on the market. Competitive trading rates, favourable margin lending terms and minimal non-trading costs make the broker attractive to traders and investors.
Pros
- Low commissions on stocks, ETFs, Forex and derivatives.
- Favourable margin lending rates.
- No inactivity fee and two free withdrawals per month.
Cons
- Paid subscriptions for some market data.
- A complex fee structure and additional exchange fees.
Plus500
Plus500 offers clients market average trading commissions.
Pros
- No commission for deposit or withdrawal.
Cons
- Inactivity account fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers reliable deposit and withdrawal methods with low fees. Support for bank transfers, Wise and stablecoins makes payments convenient, although the availability of these methods depends on the region.
Pros
- No deposit fees.
- Two free withdrawals per month.
- Support for Wise and stablecoins.
Cons
- No direct deposits by bank card or popular e-wallets.
- International bank transfers may take several days.
- The availability of payment methods depends on the country.
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
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 85 | 65 |
| Precious Metals | 2 | 5 |
| Energy Carriers | 2 | 7 |
| Indices | 13 | 36 |
| Stocks | 8500 | 1550 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 10 |
| ETF | - | 96 |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers an exceptionally wide range of financial instruments with access to more than 175 markets. The variety of assets makes the broker a versatile solution for active trading and long-term investing.
Pros
- Access to more than 175 markets across 40 countries.
- A vast selection of stocks, ETFs, bonds and derivatives.
- Support for Forex, CFDs and cryptocurrencies.
Cons
- The availability of some instruments depends on the country.
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
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers a wide range of trading platforms with powerful analytical tools, varied order types and automation capabilities. The broker's solutions are suitable for both beginner investors and professional traders.
Pros
- A wide range of desktop, web and mobile platforms.
- Advanced analysis and risk management tools.
- Support for TradingView and algorithmic trading via API.
Cons
- Difficulty learning to use the professional platform TWS.
- Paid subscriptions for some market data.
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
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers powerful analytical resources with professional research, fundamental and technical analysis, market screeners and portfolio assessment tools. The analytics are suitable for both investors and active traders.
Pros
- A wide range of free analytical tools.
- Professional research and market news.
- Advanced risk and portfolio analysis tools.
Cons
- Paid subscriptions for selected research and market data.
- Some tools are complex for beginners.
Plus500
Plus500 offers good analytical tools and useful services.
Pros
- Insights+
- ESG scoring
- Convenient risk management tools
Education
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers high-quality, diverse education for traders of all levels. Free courses, webinars, video tutorials and practical sessions cover a broad range of topics, from investment basics to complex trading strategies.
Pros
- A wide range of free courses, webinars and podcasts.
- Education for beginners and professionals.
- Practical training using a demo account.
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
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| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Email Support | ||
| Hotline Phones | — | |
| Social Media |
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers several contact channels and qualified assistance with trading matters. However, response times and the effectiveness of problem resolution are inconsistent, as reflected in mixed customer reviews.
Pros
- Support by phone, live chat and tickets.
- Nearly 24-hour service on business days.
- Staff expertise in trading matters.
Cons
- Long wait times for responses from support agents.
- Slow resolution of complex issues.
- The need for repeated follow-ups.
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 Interactive Brokers and Plus500 with other brokers
Conclusion
When choosing between Plus500 and Interactive Brokers, match their platforms, markets, account types and funding terms to your needs.
Before opening an account, verify fees, regulation, support and service availability for your country in the sections above.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Interactive Brokers or Plus500?
Plus500 ranks higher than Interactive Brokers in our editorial ranking. That does not make it a universal choice: compare fees, markets, platforms, account types and support.
Which broker is better for beginners: Interactive Brokers or Plus500?
Beginners should compare availability in their country, account types, minimum deposit, trading platforms and customer support.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers and Plus500?
Interactive Brokers: IBKR Mobile, Trader WorkStation (TWS), IMPACT, IBKR Desktop, Client Portal, GlobalTrader. Plus500: WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Interactive Brokers and Plus500?
Interactive Brokers: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks. 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 Interactive Brokers and Plus500?
Interactive Brokers: Cash, Margin (Reg T), Portfolio Margin. Plus500: Plus500. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Interactive Brokers and Plus500?
Interactive Brokers: Bpay, Swift, Automated Clearing House (ACH), SEPA, Online banking. Plus500: PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Interactive Brokers or Plus500 — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
