Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs ATFX, 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.
Founded in 2008, Plus500 stands out for its robust regulatory framework, holding six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. This extensive licensing contributes to its high ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating it is highly trusted in the industry. Moreover, Plus500 is a publicly traded entity, which adds to its credibility among traders seeking a well-regulated online broker that is not a bank.
Established in 2017, ATFX also offers a solid regulatory foundation, though it is not publicly traded like Plus500. It operates with four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, earning it a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 85, categorizing it as trusted. Both Plus500 and ATFX provide a safe trading environment, but Plus500 holds a slight edge in terms of trust and regulatory oversight.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Plus500 and ATFX, Plus500 tends to position itself slightly above the industry average, particularly for active trader pricing. While it lacks discounts for retail clients, Plus500 provides cash rebates to those who qualify as Professional clients. The EUR/USD spreads averaged 1.5 pips for Plus500 in April 2024, which are higher than the industry average. In contrast, ATFX does not offer publicly available average spread data, which can make it challenging to fully assess their fee structure.
In terms of ratings and rankings, Plus500 receives a commendable 4.0 stars for its commissions and fees. It ranks 23rd out of 63 brokers assessed by ForexBrokers.com. ATFX, however, has a more modest rating of 3 stars for its fee structure, placing it further down the list at the 60th position in the same ranking.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| 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.
Plus500 and ATFX both provide options for those interested in forex trading, offering both CFDs and spot contracts. However, Plus500 far surpasses ATFX in terms of the variety and number of tradeable symbols, boasting an extensive list of 5500, which includes 65 forex pairs. In contrast, ATFX offers a smaller selection, with 150 tradeable symbols and 44 forex pairs. Additionally, Plus500 stands out with the option to invest directly in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares from renowned companies like Apple and Vodafone. ATFX, meanwhile, does not provide this same capability, focusing instead on CFDs and forex options.
When it comes to cryptocurrency, both brokers offer derivatives but do not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of additional features, ATFX has a leg up with its copy trading option, which is absent from Plus500's offerings. These distinctions contribute to Plus500's higher rating of 4.5 stars for its range of investments, compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. On the ForexBrokers.com ranking, Plus500 is positioned at #21, significantly ahead of ATFX's ranking at #57, demonstrating a broader and more varied range of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 44 |
| 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, Plus500 and ATFX offer different strengths for online traders. Plus500 stands out with its proprietary platform, providing a unique trading experience directly in your web browser. While it lacks a Windows desktop application, the platform offers 36 drawing tools, making it suitable for those who enjoy detailed charting. Plus500 also provides a virtual demo account, allowing users to practice trading without any risk. Despite its limitations in copy trading and lack of support for MetaTrader 4 and 5, Plus500 receives a high user rating of 4.5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools. Additionally, its watch lists can include up to 10 columns, providing comprehensive market insights.
On the other hand, ATFX focuses on offering widely recognized platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, catering to traders familiar with these popular tools. Their Windows-based desktop application is a plus for those who prefer robust software installations. ATFX also supports copy trading, a feature not available on Plus500, allowing traders to mirror strategies from others easily. Both brokers offer web-based platforms and demo accounts for simulated trading, making them suitable for beginners. However, ATFX's offering is less extensive in some areas, providing only 15 drawing tools and 7 columns for watch lists. With a 3.5-star rating, ATFX is ranked #62 in the same category by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting more limited functionality compared to Plus500.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 mobile trading apps, Plus500 and ATFX both offer applications for iPhone and Android devices, allowing traders convenience regardless of their smartphone preference. Both platforms enable users to set up stock or forex price alerts, ensuring that you won’t miss any important market movements. They also let you draw trendlines and access different time frames, be it daily, weekly, or intraday. However, Plus500 stands out by providing an impressive 115 technical studies for charting, compared to ATFX's offering of just 7. Additionally, Plus500 permits watchlist symbol syncing, letting you seamlessly update and access your watchlists across both the mobile app and your online account, which ATFX does not support.
Both brokers offer the functionality to create watchlists with real-time quotes, but when it comes to user ratings, Plus500 shines with 4.5 stars out of 5, while ATFX sits lower with 3.5 stars. A notable distinction is that Plus500's mobile app doesn't auto-save drawings on charts, whereas ATFX's does, adding a layer of user-friendliness for those who frequently annotate their charts. In terms of rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is positioned 14th out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, reflecting its robust feature set and user satisfaction, whereas ATFX is ranked at 63rd, which may impact its appeal among traders seeking extensive mobile trading functionalities.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 7 |
| 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.
In the world of online trading, Plus500 and ATFX each bring unique offerings to the table, especially in terms of market research tools. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed with timely insights. However, when it comes to specialized research tools, Plus500 and ATFX vary significantly. Plus500 integrates with Trading Central, offering traders access to technical analytics, while ATFX goes a step further by also incorporating tools from Autochartist. However, Plus500 stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool that is notably absent in ATFX's offerings.
Neither Plus500 nor ATFX delivers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, potentially limiting access to fresh news updates. Both platforms offer an economic calendar feature, keeping traders abreast of key global events. Despite these similarities, Plus500 garners a higher research rating of 4.0 stars compared to ATFX’s 3.0 stars and holds a better position in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, coming in at #19 out of 63 brokers, while ATFX is ranked at #54. This distinction highlights Plus500's edge in the research category, providing a slightly more comprehensive set of tools for informed trading.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by Plus500 and ATFX, both brokers provide a solid foundation for beginners interested in forex or CFDs trading. Plus500 and ATFX each offer more than 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex or CFDs. However, Plus500 stands out by hosting regular monthly webinars and offering a searchable archive of these sessions, allowing traders to access and review educational content at their convenience. ATFX, while also providing a searchable archive, does not match Plus500 in terms of regular webinars.
For those starting out, Plus500 excels with a selection of more than 10 beginner educational videos and a range of advanced content tailored for experienced traders. In contrast, ATFX offers a similar set of beginner videos, but lacks the same depth for advanced traders. On the flip side, ATFX caters to learners who appreciate detailed explanations, with an investor dictionary that defines over 50 investing terms, a feature Plus500 does not provide. Despite these nuances, Plus500 receives a slightly higher education rating of 4.0 stars compared to ATFX's 3 stars. Interestingly, when ranked among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ATFX holds a slightly better position at #28, while Plus500 is ranked #31.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
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 ATFX. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
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
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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When comparing online brokers Plus500 and ATFX, both platforms do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, Plus500 and ATFX both support major payment methods like Skrill and bank wires, but differ in that Plus500 also accommodates PayPal users, whereas neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers for account transactions.
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 | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 44 | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $500 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Plus500 | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
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