Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs BDSwiss, 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.
When comparing online brokers Plus500 and BDSwiss, one significant aspect to consider is their regulatory standing. Plus500, established in 2008, shines with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, making it highly trusted. It holds an impressive 6 Tier-1 licenses, reflecting top-level regulatory oversight and confidence. As a publicly traded entity, Plus500 offers an added layer of transparency, which can be comforting for potential traders.
On the other hand, BDSwiss, which started in 2012, carries a Trust Score of 73, placing it at an average risk level. BDSwiss holds just one Tier-1 license and lacks any Tier-2 licenses, indicative of its more limited regulatory framework compared to Plus500. Not being publicly traded, BDSwiss misses out on an additional level of investor clarity often associated with stock exchange listing. Both brokers are not banks, yet how they are regulated and structured contributes to their trustworthiness in the eyes of traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2012 |
| 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 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Plus500 and BDSwiss, it's clear that both brokers have their strengths and areas for improvement. Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average, particularly for active traders, as it does not extend discounts to retail clients. However, Plus500 offers cash rebates for those who qualify as Professional clients. For the popular EUR/USD currency pair, Plus500's spreads averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry average. With a 4.0-star rating and ranking at #25 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 provides a decent offering, though it lags behind top-tier brokers.
Alternatively, BDSwiss showcases strong order execution despite its spreads being higher compared to industry leaders. The Classic account at BDSwiss maintains a 1.5 pips spread on the EUR/USD, which is deemed expensive. For those seeking tighter spreads, the Raw account offers a spread of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, resulting in a total effective spread of 1.3 pips. The VIP account offers a more competitive spread of 1.2 pips. With a similar 4-star rating and a slightly lower ranking at #30 out of 63 brokers in the commissions and fees category, BDSwiss presents a competitive choice for traders mindful of execution quality and account types.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 1.3 |
| 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 range of investment options between Plus500 and BDSwiss, Plus500 offers a more extensive selection for traders. Plus500 provides access to 5,500 tradeable symbols, a significant advantage over BDSwiss's 1,081 symbols. Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs, with Plus500 offering 65 forex pairs compared to BDSwiss's 53 pairs. Additionally, Plus500 enables clients to trade in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing the purchase of popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, BDSwiss does not offer such direct stock investments.
While both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives, neither supports buying actual cryptocurrencies directly. Plus500 does not include features like copy trading, which BDSwiss offers to enhance its platform for users who enjoy mimicking successful traders. When evaluated for their Range of Investments, Plus500 earns a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to BDSwiss's 4 stars, with Plus500 ranking 24th and BDSwiss 34th out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 53 |
| 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 of Plus500 and BDSwiss, both offer traders a demo account to practice without risk. Plus500 employs an in-house developed platform without a Windows desktop download, leveraging a web-based interface instead. BDSwiss presents its users with a proprietary platform along with the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 options, available for Windows desktop, enhancing its appeal to traders seeking versatility. However, Plus500 scores higher with 36 drawing tools against the 15 offered by BDSwiss, adding more flexibility for those analyzing charts.
For traders keen on social trading features, Plus500 does not support copy trading, whereas BDSwiss includes this feature, along with the ability to trade directly from stock charts. Plus500 lists more columns in its watchlists, providing more data at a glance. Rated at 4.5 out of 5 stars, Plus500 stands stronger in Trading Platforms and Tools, ranked 14th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss, while slightly trailing with a 4-star rating and 24th position, offers a rich experience with its diverse platform options.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss, both platforms offer apps for iPhone and Android users. They also provide real-time price alerts for stocks and forex, and allow traders to create watchlists with live updates. However, Plus500 stands out with its ability to sync watchlists between the mobile app and the online account, a feature BDSwiss lacks. When it comes to charting features, Plus500 provides more comprehensive options with 115 technical studies, compared to BDSwiss's 30. Both apps support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames, but Plus500 does not auto-save these drawings, whereas BDSwiss does.
For traders who prioritize advanced charting tools and syncing features, Plus500 might have the upper hand. This is reflected in its higher rating of 4.5 stars for mobile trading apps, compared to BDSwiss's 4 stars. In the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is placed at #14 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, whereas BDSwiss is at #24. Overall, both apps cater to mobile traders with essential features, yet Plus500 provides a bit more in terms of technical analysis versatility and account integration.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BDSwiss, both brokers provide daily market commentary, which can be valuable for traders seeking consistent updates. Neither Plus500 nor BDSwiss delivers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters. However, when it comes to technical analysis tools, BDSwiss has an edge with its Autochartist integration, while both platforms offer tools from Trading Central. Plus500 stands out with its sentiment-based trading tool, displaying the ratio of long and short positions — a feature not available with BDSwiss.
Both Plus500 and BDSwiss provide an economic calendar, helping traders stay informed about significant global news events. Despite the similarities in some features, Plus500 achieves a higher research rating of 4.0 stars compared to BDSwiss's 4-star rating. Furthermore, in ForexBrokers.com's ranking of 63 brokers, Plus500 secures the 19th spot, while BDSwiss is positioned at 24th. This suggests that Plus500 may offer a slightly more comprehensive set of resources for traders interested in thorough market research.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Plus500 and BDSwiss offer a range of tools to help new traders gain confidence in forex and CFDs trading. Each platform provides more than 10 educational resources like articles, videos, and archived webinars, making them both supportive learning environments. Monthly webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions are also available, allowing users to access tailored advice from experts whenever needed. Plus500 and BDSwiss cater to novice traders by offering a series of beginner-focused videos, helping to familiarize them with the basics of trading.
However, there are some differences between the two brokers. BDSwiss includes an investor dictionary with over 50 defined investment terms, a resource Plus500 doesn't offer, helping clarify complex jargon for newcomers. In terms of overall education quality, both platforms receive a 4-star rating. Notably, BDSwiss ranks higher, placing 19th in ForexBrokers.com's education category, compared to Plus500, which ranks 31st. While both platforms provide a strong foundation for beginner traders, BDSwiss may hold a slight edge for those seeking a more comprehensive educational vocabulary.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 BDSwiss. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Plus500 and BDSwiss both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrency, focusing instead on CFDs and similar financial instruments.
In comparing the online brokers Plus500 and BDSwiss, Plus500 supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals but does not offer ACH or SEPA transfers, while BDSwiss provides Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, bank wires, and uniquely offers ACH or SEPA transfers, but does not accept 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 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 53 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | BDSwiss Review |
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