Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro vs Plus500, 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 eToro and Plus500, both platforms are publicly traded and are not banks, offering investors a sense of transparency and accessibility. Founded in 2007, eToro holds three Tier-1 licenses—an indicator of high trust according to ForexBrokers.com—and one Tier-2 license, earning it an impressive Trust Score of 96. This suggests eToro is highly reliable, providing users with confidence in its operations and regulatory compliance.
Plus500, established a year later in 2008, surpasses eToro in terms of regulatory recognition with six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, securing a perfect Trust Score of 99. This positions Plus500 as a highly trusted choice for traders seeking peace of mind. The solid regulatory framework behind both platforms ensures users can engage in trading activities with a considerable degree of trust.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
eToro and Plus500 are both popular online brokers, but they have distinct differences when it comes to commissions and fees. eToro, a market-maker broker, typically offers a variable spread of 1 pip on the EUR/USD, slightly above the industry average. Traders are generally more attracted to eToro for its social copy trading platform rather than its spreads. The broker has a VIP club with five membership tiers, ranging from Silver to Diamond, which offers various perks based on account size. These benefits include access to Trading Central and reduced withdrawal and deposit fees.
In contrast, Plus500's commissions and fees are higher than the industry average, with their EUR/USD spread averaging 1.5 pips in April 2024. Plus500 does not offer retail client discounts but does provide cash rebates for Professional clients who qualify. Although Plus500 is slightly behind in active trader pricing compared to some of its competitors, both brokers have unique benefits that appeal to different types of traders.
When rated for their commissions and fees, eToro scores 4.5 out of 5 stars, ranking 22nd out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Plus500, on the other hand, has a 4.0-star rating and ranks 25th in the same category. Each broker has its strengths, with eToro standing out for its social trading features and Plus500 for its rebate program for professional clients.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | €100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 1.5 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.5 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 investment offerings of eToro and Plus500, both platforms cater to traders looking for an extensive range of options. With eToro, clients can access a diverse suite of 5,461 tradeable symbols, while Plus500 provides a slightly larger pool with 5,500 available symbols. Forex enthusiasts will find eToro offering 55 pairs, in contrast to Plus500's broader selection of 65 pairs. Both platforms allow users to invest in exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, offering the ability to invest in well-known companies like Apple and Vodafone without the need for CFDs.
Despite their similarities, eToro distinguishes itself by enabling copy trading - a feature not available on Plus500. Additionally, eToro facilitates the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, whereas Plus500 restricts clients to purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives. Ratings from ForexBrokers.com reflect these differences, awarding eToro a full 5 stars for its Range of Investments and placing it at the #10 spot out of 63 brokers. Plus500, which earned 4.5 stars, ranks #24 in the same category. Overall, while both platforms present substantial investment choices, eToro extends its appeal with additional features like copy trading and access to actual cryptocurrencies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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). | 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. |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When examining the trading platforms and tools of eToro and Plus500, both brokers offer a lot to traders. eToro and Plus500 provide a free virtual demo account for paper trading, allowing users to practice without financial risk. Both brokers have proprietary trading platforms developed in-house and offer sleek web-based platforms accessible directly from a browser. However, while eToro shines with its popular copy trading feature, Plus500 does not offer this capability. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 4 or 5, nor third-party platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. For those who enjoy charting, eToro stands out with an impressive 161 drawing tools, significantly more than Plus500’s 36. However, neither platform allows trading directly from stock charts. Additionally, eToro offers six fields for watchlists, compared to Plus500's 10.
While both eToro and Plus500 boast a commendable rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, there are subtle differences in their ranking among competitors. eToro holds a higher rank, coming in at #8 out of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Plus500 is ranked at #14. This distinction might reflect eToro's broader appeal to traders seeking more advanced charting tools and unique features such as copy trading. However, Plus500’s greater number of watchlist fields may cater to those emphasizing efficient monitoring of multiple assets. Ultimately, the choice between these two brokers may depend on individual preferences regarding specific features and tools.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 36 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 10 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
For traders seeking mobile app solutions, both eToro and Plus500 offer impressive options for iPhone and Android users. Each app gives access to stock or forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing, and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. eToro provides 104 technical studies for charting, while Plus500 offers a slightly higher number at 115. When it comes to interactive features, Plus500 stands out by allowing users to draw trendlines on charts, a feature not available in eToro's app. Both platforms, however, do not have the capability to auto-save chart drawings. Time frame viewing is flexible on both apps, supporting daily, weekly, and intraday analysis.
In terms of overall user satisfaction, both apps receive a strong rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. However, eToro slightly edges out Plus500 in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, holding the #10 spot compared to Plus500's #14. This suggests that both platforms deliver excellent mobile trading experiences, though the ability to draw trendlines in Plus500 may appeal to traders who frequently utilize technical analysis. Overall, choosing between eToro and Plus500 could come down to personal preference in charting tools and the specific needs of each trader.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
For those considering an online broker with strong market research offerings, both eToro and Plus500 provide a competitive edge in several areas. Both platforms offer daily market commentary and feature sentiment-based trading tools that display the ratio of long or short positions on various instruments. When it comes to technical analysis, both eToro and Plus500 integrate tools from Trading Central, enhancing traders’ insights significantly. Additionally, they each offer an economic calendar that keeps users informed on current and future global news events, aiding in strategic trading decisions.
However, eToro holds a few extra cards up its sleeve. It offers exclusive access to market research from TipRanks, a feature not available on Plus500. Despite neither platform offering forex news from major sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, eToro garners a higher research rating of 4.5 stars compared to Plus500's 4.0 stars. In the broader context, eToro ranks 13th out of 63 brokers for research capabilities, ahead of Plus500, which stands at 19th place according to ForexBrokers.com. These distinctions suggest that while both brokers deliver valuable resources, eToro may provide that extra bit of insight sought by traders.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to dive into the world of forex and CFDs, both eToro and Plus500 provide a wealth of educational resources to help new traders learn the ropes. eToro prides itself on offering a diverse selection of educational content, including over 10 targeted pieces such as articles, videos, and webinars that focus on forex and CFDs. They also host monthly webinars and maintain a searchable archive for users to revisit previous sessions. eToro further enhances learning with a comprehensive set of beginner videos and an investor dictionary, defining over 50 investing terms, making it a user-friendly choice for novice traders. This wealth of resources contributes to eToro's high educational rating of 4.5 stars and a commendable ranking of #5 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Similarly, Plus500 makes significant efforts to educate its users, offering at least 10 educational pieces centered on forex and CFDs. They cater to beginners with an array of videos and host monthly webinars complete with previously recorded sessions for ongoing learning. Although Plus500 lacks a detailed investor dictionary, it still provides advanced educational content for more experienced traders. Despite this shortfall, Plus500 earns a solid 4.0-star educational rating and is positioned at #31 in ForexBrokers.com's rankings, reflecting its dedication to supporting traders at all levels while illustrating its areas for growth compared to eToro’s offerings.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that eToro is better than Plus500. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 |
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eToro allows users to purchase actual cryptocurrencies as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, while Plus500 exclusively offers cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies.
In a comparison of online brokers eToro and Plus500 for deposit and withdrawal options, eToro supports ACH and SEPA transfers in addition to PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while Plus500 offers a similar range with PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer options.
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 | eToro | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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). | 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. |
| Cost | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 1.5 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.5 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | €100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 10 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 36 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | eToro Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | eToro | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | Plus500 Review |
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