Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs BlackBull Markets, 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 BlackBull Markets are online brokers with different profiles. Plus500, founded in 2008, is publicly traded, while BlackBull Markets, founded in 2014, is privately held. Neither broker is a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 holds a Trust Score of 99/99 (highly trusted), whereas BlackBull Markets scores 77/99 (average risk based on the 70–79 range).
Regulation also sets them apart. Plus500 holds 7 Tier-1 licenses and 4 Tier-2 licenses, while BlackBull Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses (as defined by ForexBrokers.com, Tier-1 is considered highly trusted and Tier-2 trusted). Traders comparing safety and oversight may favor the broader licensing footprint at Plus500, while those considering BlackBull Markets should weigh its single Tier-1 license against their own comfort with regulatory coverage.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, BlackBull Markets is the lower-cost choice for many traders. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked #9 out of 36 by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category. Its pricing is about average overall, but the Prime account stands out with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 pips from March 2024 data, which works out to an all-in cost of about 0.76 pips after commission. BlackBull’s Standard account has no commission and no minimum deposit, though spreads are higher, while the ECN Institutional account is aimed at active traders with a $20,000 minimum deposit and lower commission rates.
Plus500, by contrast, has pricing that is slightly above the industry average and not as competitive for active traders. It is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars and ranked #24 out of 36 for Commissions and Fees. Plus500 does not offer retail client discounts, although eligible Professional clients may receive cash rebates. For the EUR/USD, its average spread was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry average and more expensive than BlackBull Markets’ Prime account.
In simple terms, if your main goal is to keep trading costs low, BlackBull Markets is the better pick overall, especially for active traders who can meet the Prime account deposit requirement. Plus500 is still a well-known broker, but its spreads are generally higher, so it may cost more over time if you trade often.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.16 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Plus500 vs BlackBull Markets for range of investments, both brokers give traders access to forex trading, stock CFDs, and cryptocurrency CFDs, while also allowing clients to buy real shares on U.S. and international exchanges. Plus500 offers 5,500 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, which is a solid selection for many retail traders. BlackBull Markets goes further with 26,000 tradeable symbols and 72 forex pairs, giving it a much wider choice overall. BlackBull Markets also offers copy trading, while Plus500 does not.
In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, Plus500 is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked #16 out of 36 brokers, while BlackBull Markets earns a full 5 stars and ranks #7. If you want a broker with a larger market selection and extra features like copy trading, BlackBull Markets has the edge. If you prefer a simpler platform with a still-strong list of available investments, Plus500 remains a good option.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 72 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 BlackBull Markets both give traders a free demo account and a web-based platform, so each broker makes it easy to practice and trade from a browser. Plus500 stands out for its own in-house platform, which is simple to use and well suited to traders who want a straightforward experience. It also earns a stronger Trading Platforms and Tools rating from ForexBrokers.com, at 4.5 out of 5 stars, and ranks #14 out of 36 brokers in this category.
BlackBull Markets offers more platform choices for active traders, including a Windows desktop app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and copy trading. It also lets users trade directly from a chart, which can be helpful for faster order placement. While BlackBull Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #25 out of 36 for Trading Platforms and Tools, it may appeal more to traders who want popular third-party platforms and extra trading features rather than a built-in platform.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 109 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and BlackBull Markets both make mobile trading easy for iPhone and Android users, and each app includes price alerts, watchlist syncing with the web account, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. For traders who want a larger range of chart tools, Plus500 has the edge with 115 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 30 at BlackBull Markets.
There are a few other differences to note. BlackBull Markets does save drawings on charts automatically, while Plus500 does not. In third-party ratings, Plus500 scores 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 36 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #27 out of 36. Overall, both apps cover the basics well, but Plus500 offers more charting depth, while BlackBull Markets has the advantage in keeping chart drawings saved.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Plus500 and BlackBull Markets both give traders useful market research features, including daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar for tracking major global events. Neither broker offers forex news from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and neither includes market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Both also earn a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars for Research, showing that each platform provides solid help for traders who want basic market updates and event tracking.
When it comes to extra research tools, the two brokers differ. Plus500 includes Trading Central tools such as Technical Analytics, while BlackBull Markets does not. BlackBull Markets, however, offers Autochartist, which Plus500 does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Research rankings, Plus500 places slightly ahead at #16 out of 36 brokers, compared with BlackBull Markets at #17 out of 36. Overall, the research offering is very similar, with each broker standing out in different areas.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| 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, Plus500 and BlackBull Markets are very closely matched. Both brokers offer forex and CFDs learning content with at least 10 educational pieces, plus monthly client webinars to help traders keep learning. They also each provide at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so new traders and more experienced users can find material suited to their level.
In independent ratings, both brokers score 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education, which shows strong support for learners. ForexBrokers.com places Plus500 at #26 out of 36 brokers in the Education category, while BlackBull Markets ranks slightly higher at #24. For beginners comparing online brokers, both are solid choices for educational resources, with BlackBull Markets holding a small edge in ranking.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BlackBull Markets. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #22.
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
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 77 |
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In a Plus500 vs BlackBull Markets comparison, neither broker supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading for traders seeking crypto exposure without owning the underlying asset.
Comparing online brokers Plus500 and BlackBull Markets: Plus500 supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA, whereas BlackBull Markets offers ACH/SEPA, Skrill, and bank wires but not 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.16 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 109 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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