Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs ACY Securities, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Plus500 and ACY Securities are both notable players in the online brokerage industry, but they differ significantly in their regulatory standing and trust ratings. Founded in 2008, Plus500 stands out with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, thanks to its robust regulatory framework, which includes six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. This publicly traded broker is not a bank, but its high level of regulation and trust makes it a secure choice for traders.
On the other hand, ACY Securities, which was founded in 2011, has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75, categorizing it as average risk. Unlike Plus500, ACY Securities is a privately held company and holds just one Tier-1 license, with no Tier-2 licenses. Although it is not classified as a bank, its regulatory standing is more modest compared to Plus500, which may be a consideration for those prioritizing trust and security in a broker.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Plus500 and ACY Securities, potential traders will find distinct differences between the two online brokers. Plus500 is known for pricing that sits slightly above the industry average, which may not cater well to active traders seeking competitive deals. Notably, Plus500 offers cash rebates akin to an active trader program, applicable only to those who qualify as Professional clients. With spreads for EUR/USD averaging 1.5 pips in April 2024, Plus500 holds a 4.0-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #25 among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, ACY Securities stands out with its flexible account options tailored for a diverse range of traders. Offering both a Standard account with no commission and accounts like ProZero and Bespoke that feature competitive spreads and tiered commission structures, ACY provides an attractive option for more active traders. The ProZero account, for instance, offers lower effective spreads and commissions, especially for Australian residents. With a strong focus on affordability, ACY Securities achieves a higher rating of 4.5 stars and holds the #21 position in rankings for commissions and fees.
Both brokers offer specialized account types to fit different trading needs, but ACY Securities arguably offers more competitive pricing structures. While Plus500 does not offer retail client discounts, ACY Securities provides opportunities to reduce trading costs for high-volume traders. Thus, ACY Securities might be a more suitable choice for traders who prioritize cost efficiency and are willing to meet certain account requirements to gain access to lower rates.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.85 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the investment options at Plus500 and ACY Securities, both platforms stand out for offering forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. However, Plus500 provides a significantly larger array of total tradeable symbols, boasting 5,500 compared to ACY Securities' 2,200. They both offer a similar number of tradeable forex pairs, with Plus500 offering 65 and ACY Securities 66. Investors looking to invest in exchange-traded securities like Apple on U.S. or international exchanges will find Plus500 more accommodating, as it supports buying shares directly, unlike ACY Securities. Both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows purchasing the actual cryptocurrency.
ACY Securities has an edge when it comes to copy trading, a feature not available with Plus500. For those focused on the breadth of offerings, Plus500 has a slight lead, reflected in its 4.5-star rating for the range of investments compared to ACY Securities' 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is ranked 24th out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, while ACY Securities holds the 30th position. This suggests Plus500 might appeal more to those prioritizing diverse investment choices across various asset classes.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2200 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 66 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by Plus500 and ACY Securities, both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to simulate trading without financial risk. While Plus500 and ACY Securities each offer their own proprietary platforms, there are notable differences in their offerings. Plus500 does not have a Windows-based desktop trading platform, but it does provide a web-based platform for easy access through a browser, catering to traders who prefer not to download software. In contrast, ACY Securities offers a Windows-based desktop platform alongside its web-based option, providing more flexibility for different user preferences. Additionally, ACY Securities supports popular platforms MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) along with copy trading, features absent in Plus500’s lineup. However, Plus500 surpasses ACY Securities with a higher rating (4.5 stars) and a more favorable industry ranking, standing at #14 compared to ACY Securities’ #41 for trading platforms and tools.
Further differences include charting and watch list capabilities. While Plus500 does not support trading directly from stock charts and focuses on simpler charting tools, it offers 36 drawing tools for creating detailed analyses, surpassing ACY Securities, which provides 15. However, ACY Securities enables users to trade directly from stock charts, allowing for more integrated trading experiences. In terms of watch list customizability, Plus500 leads with 10 columns for fields compared to ACY Securities’ 7. Despite these varied features, both platforms lack support for DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, narrowing their options for social trading enthusiasts. Ultimately, Plus500’s higher rating in Trading Platforms and Tools reflects a broader appeal and a well-rounded platform that may suit a wide range of traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and ACY Securities, both offer solid options for iPhone and Android users. Both platforms provide price alerts for stocks and forex, along with the ability to view various time frames on charts, making trading accessible on the go. However, Plus500 stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, ensuring seamless integration between mobile and online platforms, a feature ACY Securities lacks. Plus500 also offers 115 technical studies for charting compared to ACY Securities’ 30, giving traders more tools at their fingertips. In contrast, ACY Securities excels with the auto-save function for chart drawings, a capability missing from Plus500's app.
For users interested in charting and technical analysis, the extensive studies available on Plus500 might be more appealing. Both platforms support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing the user experience. When it comes to user ratings and rankings, Plus500 holds a small edge with a 4.5-star rating compared to ACY Securities' 4-star rating. Furthermore, Plus500 is ranked #14 by ForexBrokers.com, whereas ACY Securities comes in at #40, showcasing a greater user preference and perceived quality in Plus500's mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of Plus500 and ACY Securities, both brokers provide daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed on the latest financial developments. However, neither broker offers forex news from major sources like Bloomberg or Reuters. A notable difference between the two is in their technical analysis tools; Plus500 partners with Trading Central, providing advanced analytics for its users, while ACY Securities lacks this integration. Plus500 also stands out by offering a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, an advantage not available with ACY Securities.
In terms of broader market tools, both Plus500 and ACY Securities provide an economic calendar that highlights significant global financial events. Neither broker collaborates with firms like TipRanks or Acuity Trading for enhanced market insights. Overall, Plus500 receives a higher research rating of 4.0 stars, ranking 19th among 63 brokers in the Research category on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ACY Securities is rated 3.5 stars and holds the 45th position on the same list, reflecting a more limited research offering compared to Plus500.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by Plus500 and ACY Securities for beginners, both companies provide a solid foundation, offering a variety of materials. Both platforms deliver more than 10 educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, such as articles and videos. They also conduct online educational webinars at least once a month and maintain a searchable archive of previous sessions. Additionally, both brokers offer at least ten beginner-level educational videos to help new traders get acquainted with trading topics. However, a notable disparity arises in the availability of advanced learning materials. Plus500 extends its offerings to include over ten advanced educational videos tailored for more experienced traders, whereas ACY Securities falls short in this area. Neither broker features an investor dictionary with definitions of at least 50 investing terms.
In terms of user satisfaction, Plus500 has an educational rating of 4.0 stars and holds a respectable position at #31 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ACY Securities earns a slightly lower educational rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked #43 in the same category. This comparative analysis highlights that while both brokers cater well to beginners, Plus500 edges out with more comprehensive offerings for advanced learners, giving it a slight advantage in overall educational value.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than ACY Securities. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while ACY Securities finished with an overall rank of #41.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 |
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Both Plus500 and ACY Securities do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, focusing instead on providing options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While Plus500 supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, but not ACH or SEPA transfers, ACY Securities provides ACH, SEPA, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, though it does not support PayPal.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
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| Review | Plus500 Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2011 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2200 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 66 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.85 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Plus500 Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | ACY Securities Review |
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