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 | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Plus500 and BDSwiss, both brokers present unique pricing structures. Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average and doesn't provide retail clients with discounts. However, there are cash rebates available if you qualify as a Professional client. For the EUR/USD, Plus500's spreads averaged 1.5 pips during April 2024, which is higher than the industry benchmark. The broker is rated 4.0 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #25 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
BDSwiss, on the other hand, shines with its order execution statistics, although its spreads are noted to be costlier compared to industry leaders. Specifically, the Classic account has a spread of 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which can be deemed pricey. Alternatively, the Raw account offers a more competitive effective spread of 1.3 pips, incorporating a 0.3 pip spread plus a $5 commission per side. The VIP account comes in at 1.2 pips. Similar to Plus500, BDSwiss also receives a 4-star rating for commissions and fees but is ranked slightly lower at #30 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
| 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 Plus500 to BDSwiss, the differences in their investment offerings become clear. Plus500 leads with an impressive selection of 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs, while BDSwiss provides 1,081 symbols and 53 forex pairs. A significant advantage of Plus500 is its ability to allow trades on actual U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, making it possible for investors to directly purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, BDSwiss does not offer this feature, focusing instead on CFDs for forex and other instruments.
Both brokers provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. An area where BDSwiss edges ahead is in copy trading capabilities, a service Plus500 does not offer. For their range of investments, Plus500 receives a 4.5-star rating compared to BDSwiss’ 4-star rating, reflective of their broader offerings. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 holds the 24th position for range of investments, while BDSwiss is positioned at 34, indicating Plus500's lead in diversity and flexibility for investors.
| 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.
Both Plus500 and BDSwiss offer traders the chance to explore their platforms with free virtual demo accounts. This makes it easier for new users to practice and refine their skills without financial risks. Plus500 and BDSwiss have developed their own proprietary platforms, ensuring they cater to the unique needs of their user base. While Plus500 does not provide a Windows-based desktop download platform, BDSwiss does, giving users who prefer desktop applications a functional option. Both brokers offer a web-based platform, making trading accessible from any browser without the need for downloads.
When it comes to trading versatility, BDSwiss has an edge with features like copy trading and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among experienced traders. Meanwhile, Plus500 focuses on offering simplicity and ease of use. Plus500 provides more drawing tools for charting with 22 options compared to BDSwiss's 15, though BDSwiss allows trading directly from stock charts—a feature Plus500 lacks. For those who rely on watch lists, Plus500 offers 10 fields for customization compared to BDSwiss's 7. ForexBrokers.com ranks Plus500 at #14 and BDSwiss at #24 for trading platforms and tools, awarding them 4.5 stars and 4 stars, respectively, highlighting Plus500's slight lead in this category.
| 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) | 114 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and BDSwiss both offer convenient mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing investors to manage trades on the go. Both platforms enable users to receive stock or forex price alerts and provide the ability to draw trendlines and view various time frames on charts. However, Plus500 stands out with its ability to sync watchlists across both mobile and web platforms, while BDSwiss does not support this syncing feature. Additionally, Plus500 boasts a more extensive suite of technical studies with 110 options compared to BDSwiss’s 30, though it lacks the auto-save feature for chart drawings that BDSwiss offers.
When it comes to real-time quote watchlists, both brokers deliver, ensuring traders have up-to-the-minute information. In terms of user ratings, Plus500 has received 4.5 stars for its mobile trading app as opposed to BDSwiss’s 4 stars. Also, in a ranking by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is placed at #14 out of 62 brokers for their mobile trading apps, demonstrating a slight edge in user satisfaction and functionality over BDSwiss, which ranks at #24. These distinctions might guide those looking for more comprehensive charting tools and seamless device integration towards choosing Plus500 for mobile trading.
| 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 | 110 | 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 platforms provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed with updates and analyses. However, neither broker offers forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg or Reuters. Plus500 distinguishes itself with a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the ratio of long or short positions, an advantage for traders interested in market sentiment. Additionally, both brokers access Trading Central's technical analytics, but BDSwiss takes a step further by providing tools from Autochartist, enhancing its research capabilities. Despite the differences, neither broker incorporates tools from Acuity Trading or market research from TipRanks, and both support traders with an economic calendar to track crucial global economic events.
In terms of overall research ratings, Plus500 and BDSwiss are closely matched, each earning four out of five stars. When looking at their respective rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 holds a better position at #19, while BDSwiss is ranked at #24 out of 62 brokers. These ranks reflect the effective use of available research tools and resources, giving potential traders a clear idea of what they can expect from each platform's research offerings. Ultimately, choosing between the two depends on what specific tools and resources a trader values for their market strategy.
| 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.
For beginners seeking educational resources on trading, both Plus500 and BDSwiss provide a range of helpful materials. Each broker offers at least 10 pieces focused on forex or CFDs, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. They each host online webinars more than once a month, complemented by easily accessible archives of past webinars. This affords newcomers abundant opportunities to expand their knowledge through scheduled or on-demand learning. Furthermore, both platforms deliver a suite of over 10 beginner videos tailored specifically for those new to trading while also catering to seasoned traders with the same amount of advanced educational videos.
Despite these similarities, there is a notable difference between the two brokers: BDSwiss offers an investor dictionary with over 50 defined investing terms, which is absent in Plus500's educational suite. When evaluated for educational quality, both received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, but their ForexBrokers.com rankings differ, with BDSwiss positioned at #19 and Plus500 at #31 out of 62 brokers. This discrepancy may be influenced by BDSwiss's comprehensive dictionary, suggesting a slightly more favorable educational environment for those looking to familiarize themselves with investing jargon.
| 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 62 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
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BDSwiss
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|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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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 | 1 | 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) | 114 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 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 | 110 | 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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