Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs Exness, 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.
Founded in 2008, both Plus500 and Exness have established themselves in the online brokerage landscape. Plus500 is publicly traded and boasts an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, making it highly trusted. While it is not a bank, Plus500 holds 6 Tier-1 licenses, which are recognized as highly secure by ForexBrokers.com, along with 3 Tier-2 licenses. This credibility is reflected in its high trust rating, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing security and transparency in trading operations.
Exness, also established in 2008, is not publicly traded, yet maintains a respectable ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 81, placing it in the trusted category. Like Plus500, it isn't a bank but holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and the same number of Tier-2 licenses as Plus500, with 3 in total. Although Exness doesn't reach the same trust score as Plus500, its range of licenses still supports a reliable trading environment for users who value trustworthiness in their brokerage choice.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Plus500 and Exness both earn 4 out of 5 stars, but Plus500 ranks higher for this category (#24 of 63) than Exness (#36 of 63). Plus500’s overall pricing sits slightly above the industry average and trails the best options for active traders, while Exness’ costs vary more by account type and can be competitive if you choose a commission-based plan.
Plus500 primarily relies on spreads, with the EUR/USD averaging 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry average. There are no discounts for retail traders, though Professional clients may qualify for cash rebates similar to an active trader program. Rating: 4/5 stars; Ranking: #24 of 63 for Commissions and Fees.
Exness offers multiple account types that affect your all-in costs. The Standard Cent and Standard accounts are commission-free with wider spreads, while the Pro account is also commission-free but typically shows lower spreads and lets you choose instant or market execution. The Zero Spread account charges a $0.05 per-trade commission with market execution, and the Raw account charges up to $7 per round turn lot ($3.5 per side) with tighter spreads; both have a 30% margin call trigger and no leverage or stop-out restrictions. In short, Exness can be cheaper if you opt for a commission-based account. Rating: 4/5 stars; Ranking: #36 of 63 for Commissions and Fees.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts [DELETED] | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| 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.
Comparing Plus500 and Exness on range of investments, both support forex trading as CFDs or spot. Plus500 lists around 5,500 tradeable symbols, far more than Exness’s 209. That said, Exness offers more currency choice with 96 forex pairs versus 65 at Plus500, which may appeal to forex-focused traders.
For exchange-traded shares, Plus500 lets you buy actual stocks on both U.S. and international exchanges, while Exness does not offer real share dealing. Plus500 does not have copy trading; Exness does. Both provide cryptocurrency derivatives but not direct coin purchases. Reflecting their coverage, ForexBrokers.com rates Plus500 at 4.5/5 (ranked 22 of 63) and Exness at 3.5/5 (ranked 56 of 63) for Range of Investments.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 209 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 96 |
| 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.
Plus500 vs Exness: Both brokers offer a free demo account, a proprietary platform, and web-based trading. Key differences stand out. Plus500 does not provide a Windows desktop platform, while Exness does. Exness also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), includes copy trading, and lets you place trades directly from charts—features not available with Plus500.
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 earned 4.5/5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers, while Exness received 4/5 stars and ranks #26. If you want a streamlined web experience with a practice account, Plus500 may fit. If you prefer a Windows desktop app, MT4/MT5 compatibility, copy trading, and chart trading, Exness may be the better match.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields [DELETED] |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and Exness both offer mobile trading apps that are compatible with iPhone and Android devices, providing users with seamless trading experiences on the go. Both apps enable stock or forex price alerts, but only Plus500 synchronizes watchlist symbols with the client's online account, allowing changes made in one location to reflect in the other. When it comes to charting tools, Plus500 provides an impressive 115 technical studies compared to Exness's 35, giving users a wider array of analysis options. Both apps also support drawing trendlines and viewing charts in multiple time frames. However, neither app automatically saves drawings on their charts.
Creating a watchlist with real-time quotes is a feature shared by both Plus500 and Exness, ensuring traders are always updated with the latest market movements. In terms of user satisfaction, Plus500 scores slightly higher with a 4.5-star rating, compared to Exness's 4-star rating. Plus500 is ranked 14th out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, whereas Exness holds the 26th spot. Whether you prioritize extensive charting features or prefer a more streamlined experience, both brokers offer solid mobile platforms that cater to different needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Plus500 and Exness both deliver core market research features traders expect: daily commentary, Trading Central tools for chart-based insights, a sentiment gauge showing long vs. short positions, and an economic calendar that tracks major events. Neither broker includes Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools. The key difference is news: Exness provides a premium, top-tier forex news feed from leading outlets, while Plus500 does not.
In overall research quality, Plus500 holds a slight edge with a 4.0/5 rating and a #19 rank out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to Exness at 3.5/5 and #42. Choose Plus500 if you want a higher-rated research setup built around Trading Central, sentiment data, and helpful commentary. Pick Exness if having integrated, high-quality real-time news is a priority alongside similar research tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing Plus500 and Exness, both brokers offer helpful starting points: each runs at least one client webinar per month and provides 10+ beginner-friendly trading videos, along with 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. What isn’t clearly stated for either broker is whether they host a searchable archive of past webinars, publish an investor dictionary with 50+ terms, or meet a broader benchmark of 10+ forex/CFD educational pieces beyond videos.
On overall education quality, Plus500 holds a slight edge: it is rated 4.0 stars and ranks #31 out of 63 brokers for Education on ForexBrokers.com, while Exness is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #47. If you’re new to forex or CFDs and want structured videos and ongoing webinars, both platforms can work—but Plus500’s higher rating suggests a stronger educational experience for most beginners.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | ||
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) [DELETED] | ||
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) [DELETED] |
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 Exness. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Exness finished with an overall rank of #43.
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
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 |
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Both Plus500 and Exness do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, Plus500 and Exness, notable differences in payment options include Plus500 offering PayPal while Exness does not, though both brokers support deposits and withdrawals via Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, neither provide ACH or 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 | Plus500 | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Exness Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | Exness | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes |
| Investments | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 209 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 96 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts [DELETED] | |||
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 [DELETED] | |||
| ZuluTrade [DELETED] |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields [DELETED] | |||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | |||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | |||
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) [DELETED] | |||
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) [DELETED] |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Exness Review |
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