Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com (founded 1999) and Plus500 (founded 2008) are both publicly traded online brokers—not banks—and each holds a 99/99 Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com. On that scale, 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and under 59 not trusted, placing both firms in the highest trust group.
Looking at regulation, FOREX.com and Plus500 each hold seven Tier-1 licenses, which ForexBrokers.com considers highly trusted. For Tier-2 licenses, FOREX.com holds two while Plus500 holds four. In short, both brands are widely regulated at the top level, with Plus500 carrying more additional mid-tier licenses.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 7 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 4 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
FOREX.com has a stronger commissions and fees profile than Plus500, with more account choices and pricing that can suit different trading styles. Its Standard account is simpler but usually more expensive, with average EUR/USD spreads around 1.4 pips in the U.S. The RAW account is more competitive, with typical EUR/USD spreads near 0.13 pips plus a commission, and active traders may get volume-based rebates. FOREX.com is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked #15 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
Plus500 is also a little pricier than the industry average, but it is more straightforward because it does not offer retail discounts. Its EUR/USD spreads averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which puts it behind many low-cost brokers for active trading. Professional clients may qualify for cash rebates, but most retail traders will not see lower pricing tiers. Plus500 is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars and ranked #26 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
In short, FOREX.com generally offers better value, especially for traders who want lower spreads or may trade more often, while Plus500 is easier to understand but tends to cost more overall. If fees are a top concern, FOREX.com has the edge.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.00 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.13 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, FOREX.com and Plus500 both give traders access to forex as a CFD or spot contract, along with exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international markets. Each also offers cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither platform lets you buy actual crypto or use copy trading. For traders who want a broad mix of markets, both brokers cover the basics well.
FOREX.com has the edge in overall selection, with about 7,000 tradeable symbols compared with Plus500’s 5,500. That said, Plus500 offers more forex pairs, with 65 versus FOREX.com’s 55. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s ratings, FOREX.com earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers, while Plus500 scores 4.5 stars and ranks #16, making FOREX.com the stronger choice for overall market variety.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7000 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 65 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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). | 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.
FOREX.com and Plus500 both give traders a free demo account, a web-based platform, and a proprietary platform built by the broker. However, FOREX.com has the edge for trading platforms and tools because it also offers a Windows desktop download, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the ability to trade directly from a chart. Plus500 does not offer a desktop app, MT4, MT5, or chart trading, and neither broker offers copy trading.
In ratings and rankings, FOREX.com leads as well, with 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and a #5 ranking out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Plus500 is still solid, but comes in at 4.5 out of 5 stars and #14 out of 36. For traders who want more platform choices and stronger charting and desktop features, FOREX.com is the better pick, while Plus500 may suit those who prefer a simpler setup.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and Plus500 both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, watchlist syncing between the app and online account, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. For traders who want a smooth mobile setup, both brokers cover the core features most people expect from a trading app. In this head-to-head comparison, FOREX.com stands out with auto-saving chart drawings, while Plus500 does not save drawings automatically.
When it comes to charting tools and overall mobile app quality, Plus500 offers more technical studies in its app, with 115 compared with FOREX.com’s 90. Even so, FOREX.com comes out ahead in overall ratings and rankings, earning 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and placing #2 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Plus500 scores 4.5 stars and ranks #14. If mobile trading app performance is a top priority, FOREX.com has the edge, while Plus500 still offers a strong app with a larger charting tool set.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FOREX.com and Plus500 both give traders useful market research features, including daily market commentary, Trading Central tools, sentiment data, and an economic calendar with current and upcoming global events. Neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading research tools. The key difference is that FOREX.com also provides forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while Plus500 does not.
In overall research quality, FOREX.com comes out ahead. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with Plus500’s 4.5-star rating and #16 ranking. For traders who want deeper market coverage and more reliable news access, FOREX.com has the edge.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for trading education, FOREX.com stands out as the stronger choice overall. It offers forex and CFDs learning material with at least 10 education pieces, monthly online client webinars, and a wide range of beginner and advanced videos for different skill levels. It also earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Education category, which points to a well-developed learning experience for new traders and those who want to keep building their skills.
Plus500 also gives beginners access to useful educational content, including forex or CFDs materials, monthly webinars, and at least 10 videos for both beginner and advanced topics. That said, it is rated 4.5 stars for Education and ranks #27 out of 36, so while it can still be a helpful starting point, it does not match FOREX.com’s depth or overall quality of learning support. If education is a top priority, FOREX.com is the better pick between the two.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FOREX.com is better than Plus500. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #4, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #11.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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When comparing online brokers FOREX.com and Plus500, neither supports purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Comparing deposit and withdrawal options, FOREX.com supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires, while Plus500 does not offer ACH/SEPA but does support PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires; Visa/Mastercard availability for both brokers is not specified.
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 | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 7 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 4 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7000 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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). | 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 | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.00 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.13 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | €50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 115 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Plus500 Review |
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