Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs AvaTrade, 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 AvaTrade are both well-known online brokers, but their regulatory profiles differ in a few key ways. Plus500 was founded in 2008, is publicly traded, and is not a bank. It holds 7 Tier-1 licenses and 4 Tier-2 licenses, and its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score is 99 out of 99, placing it in the highest trust category.
AvaTrade was founded in 2006, is not publicly traded, and is also not a bank. It holds 4 Tier-1 licenses and 4 Tier-2 licenses, with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96 out of 99. Both brokers score very highly for trust, but Plus500 has the edge on public listing, Tier-1 licensing, and overall Trust Score.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 4 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, AvaTrade comes out ahead of Plus500. Plus500’s pricing is slightly above the industry average, with EUR/USD spreads averaging 1.5 pips in April 2024, and it does not offer discounts for retail clients. It does, however, provide cash rebates for traders who qualify as Professional clients. Plus500 is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #25 out of 36 brokers in this category.
AvaTrade’s pricing is closer to the industry average, with EUR/USD spreads at 0.9 pips as of June 2024. For eligible professional traders, AvaTrade’s Professional account offers even tighter spreads at 0.6 pips, which is competitive with some lower-cost brokers. AvaTrade is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #14 out of 36 brokers, giving it a stronger edge over Plus500 for cost-conscious traders.
In simple terms, both brokers offer straightforward pricing, but AvaTrade is usually the better choice if lower spreads matter most. Plus500 may still appeal to traders who qualify for its Professional client rebates, but overall AvaTrade has the better commissions and fees profile.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.61 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, Plus500 gives traders more choice than AvaTrade. Plus500 offers about 5,500 tradable symbols, including 65 forex pairs, while AvaTrade offers around 1,260 symbols and 53 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as a CFD, and both also offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual cryptocurrency for delivery.
Plus500 also stands out for investors who want access to real shares, since it offers exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. AvaTrade does not provide this type of stock trading. On the other hand, AvaTrade supports copy trading, which Plus500 does not. Based on ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is rated 4.5 out of 5 for Range of Investments and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers, compared with AvaTrade’s 4 out of 5 and #27 ranking.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 53 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
Plus500 and AvaTrade both give traders a free demo account, a web-based platform, and their own in-house trading platform, so each broker makes it easy to practice and trade from a browser. Both are also rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, with Plus500 ranked #14 out of 36 brokers and AvaTrade ranked slightly higher at #13. In simple terms, both brokers offer a solid experience for everyday trading, but AvaTrade has a small edge in overall platform tools.
The biggest differences come down to extra platform options. AvaTrade supports a Windows desktop platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, copy trading, and trading directly from charts, while Plus500 does not offer those features. That makes AvaTrade a better fit for traders who want more platform choice and more built-in tools, while Plus500 may appeal more to those who prefer a straightforward, browser-based setup.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 80 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and AvaTrade both give mobile traders a lot of the same core tools. Each broker offers iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, watchlist syncing between the app and online account, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Neither app auto-saves chart drawings, and both are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps, so either choice should feel familiar for everyday trading on the go.
The main difference is in charting depth. Plus500 offers 115 technical studies in its mobile app, while AvaTrade offers 73, which may matter more to traders who rely heavily on chart analysis. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps ranking, AvaTrade places slightly higher at #13 out of 36 brokers, compared with Plus500 at #14. Overall, Plus500 edges ahead for chart tools, while AvaTrade has a small ranking advantage.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Plus500 and AvaTrade both give traders useful market research tools, but Plus500 has a slight edge overall. Plus500 offers daily market commentary, Trading Central insights, sentiment data, and an economic calendar, plus it is rated 4.5 out of 5 for research and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com research category. AvaTrade also includes Trading Central, sentiment tools, and an economic calendar, and it goes one step further by providing forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. However, it does not offer daily market commentary.
In a side-by-side comparison, neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools. The main difference is that Plus500 is stronger in day-to-day commentary and has a higher research rating and ranking, while AvaTrade stands out for its high-quality forex news coverage. AvaTrade is rated 4 out of 5 for research and ranks #29 out of 36, so both brokers offer solid research features, but Plus500 is the more research-focused choice overall.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to beginner-friendly education, both Plus500 and AvaTrade give new traders plenty of material to learn from. Each broker offers forex or CFDs education with at least 10 learning pieces, monthly educational webinars, and 10 or more beginner videos, plus advanced videos for more experienced traders. That means beginners can find a solid range of articles, videos, and live sessions at either platform.
The main difference is in overall education quality and ranking. Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education, but it ranks #26 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. AvaTrade scores 4 out of 5 stars, yet it places much higher at #2 out of 36. For beginners comparing online brokers, AvaTrade stands out as the stronger all-around choice for education, while Plus500 still offers a helpful learning library.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 AvaTrade. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #15.
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
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AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
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In the Plus500 vs AvaTrade comparison for crypto, neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
Plus500 vs AvaTrade: both online brokers support deposits and withdrawals via PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers, do not offer ACH or SEPA, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 4 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.61 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 80 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Plus500 Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | AvaTrade Review |
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