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 |
When it comes to comparing commissions and fees, Plus500 and Exness present different offerings. Rated 4.0 stars, Plus500 stands at the 25th position among 63 brokers. Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average, and it does not offer discounts to retail clients. However, Professional clients may qualify for cash rebates, similar to an active trader program. The EUR/USD spreads for Plus500 averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which are higher than the industry norm, making it less attractive for active traders.
Exness, also rated 4 stars but ranked 35th, provides a diverse range of account types, including five main offerings and two designated for social copy trading. Trading costs at Exness vary by account type. Among these, accounts with commissions tend to have lower spreads compared to commission-free options. Standard accounts feature market execution, while the Pro account offers both instant and market execution options. The Zero Spread account incurs a $0.05 per-trade commission and market execution without leverage or stop-out restrictions, while the Raw account charges up to $7 per round turn lot but offers lower spreads with no limitations on leverage or margin calls.
In summary, choosing between Plus500 and Exness may hinge on account preferences and trading priorities. While Plus500 offers straightforward pricing, albeit above industry averages, Exness provides flexibility with multiple account types to cater to various trading needs, though its ranking suggests it might not be as cost-effective as other options in the market.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | 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.
When comparing Plus500 and Exness, both online brokers provide forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. However, the range of investments available sets them apart. Plus500 offers a more extensive selection with 5,500 tradeable symbols, whereas Exness lists only 227. In terms of forex pairs, Exness edges ahead with 96 available options compared to Plus500's 65. Additionally, Plus500 allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as stocks from Apple and Vodafone, something that Exness does not support.
Looking at additional features, Plus500 does not offer copy trading, unlike Exness, which includes this capability. Both brokers provide cryptocurrency derivatives for trading but do not offer the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of user ratings and rankings specifically for the range of investments, Plus500 scores higher with 4.5 stars and ranks 24th out of 63 brokers, while Exness holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks at 55th. This makes Plus500 a more suitable choice for those seeking broader investment options and access to various markets.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 227 |
| 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.
Both Plus500 and Exness offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice and familiarize themselves with trading tools without risking real funds. Plus500 provides a proprietary platform developed in-house, offering a user-friendly web-based trading experience. In contrast, Exness enriches its trading environment with a more diverse platform offering, which includes a desktop application for Windows users, and compatibility with MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular platforms among traders for their advanced capabilities.
While Plus500 focuses on providing robust browser-based trading with a proprietary edge, it does not offer copy trading options. Meanwhile, Exness caters to those interested in copy trading, although neither broker supports third-party platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Charting tools differ between the two, with Plus500 offering 36 drawing tools compared to Exness’s extensive 87. Additionally, Exness provides the added benefit of trading directly from stock charts, a feature not available with Plus500. Regarding performance rankings, Plus500 earns a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Exness's 4 stars, and is ranked 14th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, significantly ahead of Exness's 26th position in the same category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 87 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
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.
When comparing the market research offerings of Plus500 and Exness, both online brokers provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed. Then, while Exness delivers forex news sourced from leading names like Bloomberg and Reuters, Plus500 does not. On the analytical front, both brokers integrate tools from Trading Central, allowing traders to tap into technical analytics. However, neither Plus500 nor Exness features tools from Autochartist or research content from TipRanks and Acuity Trading. Notably, both brokers do offer sentiment-based trading tools to help navigate market trends, and they supply economic calendars covering global news events.
Overall, Plus500 holds a 4.0-star rating for research, placing it 19th out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, outperforming Exness, which scores 3.5 stars and ranks 41st. Both brokers provide valuable resources, but Plus500 offers a slight edge with its superior rating and ranking in the research category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Plus500 and Exness both offer valuable educational resources for those new to forex and CFD trading. Both platforms provide a solid array of at least 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs, making it easy for beginners to get started. Plus500 sets itself apart by offering at least one online educational client webinar every month and maintaining a searchable archive of these recorded sessions, making it convenient for learners to revisit and continue their education. In contrast, while Exness does not host regular webinars, it does keep a searchable archive of recorded webinars for its users.
When it comes to beginner-friendly videos, both Plus500 and Exness have a range of more than 10 videos tailored specifically for novices in trading. However, Plus500 also provides at least 10 advanced educational videos, catering to more experienced traders looking to deepen their understanding. Exness, meanwhile, offers an investor dictionary with over 50 trading terms, which is not available on Plus500. Overall, Plus500 receives a higher education rating of 4.0 stars compared to Exness's 3.5 stars, ranking #31 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas Exness holds the #47 spot. This comparison highlights Plus500's strong offering for those keen on comprehensive learning experiences through both beginner and advanced trading resources.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 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) | 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | Yes |
| Investments | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 227 | |
| 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 | 1.5 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $10 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 87 | |
| 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 | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| 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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