Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs iFOREX, 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, founded in 2008, and iFOREX, established in 1996, are both well-known online brokers. While neither is a bank, Plus500 stands out as a publicly traded company, unlike iFOREX. In terms of regulatory standing, Plus500 holds an impressive number of six Tier-1 licenses, known for their high level of trust, and three Tier-2 licenses. This has culminated in an exceptional Trust Score of 99 by ForexBrokers.com, categorizing Plus500 as a highly trusted broker.
In comparison, iFOREX holds one Tier-1 license without any Tier-2 licenses, reflecting its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75. This positions iFOREX within the average risk range according to the same ratings. For traders seeking a broker with a robust regulatory framework and higher trust score, Plus500 appears to be the more attractive choice.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Plus500 and iFOREX, Plus500 tends to have slightly higher pricing than the industry average, particularly for active traders. It doesn't offer retail client discounts, although Professional clients may qualify for cash rebates similar to an active trader program. The spreads for the EUR/USD at Plus500 averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is above the industry average, contributing to its overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. Plus500 is ranked #23 out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category on ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, iFOREX does not have available average spread data, making direct comparison a bit challenging. However, it is important to note that iFOREX received a lower rating compared to Plus500, with a score of 3 stars out of 5 for its commissions and fees structure. In terms of ranking, iFOREX is placed significantly lower at #61 out of 63 brokers in the same category, according to ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, for those who prioritize competitive pricing and discounts, Plus500 might be a preferable option, especially if you can leverage their Professional client status for rebates. Meanwhile, iFOREX's offerings currently fall short in terms of pricing transparency and competitiveness compared to Plus500.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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 Plus500 and iFOREX for their range of investment options, both platforms offer forex trading as CFDs. However, Plus500 outshines iFOREX with a larger selection of tradeable symbols, providing 5,500 compared to iFOREX's 750. While Plus500 offers fewer forex pairs than iFOREX (65 versus 88), it compensates by enabling clients to buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. iFOREX, in contrast, does not offer the purchase of securities outside of CFDs. Furthermore, both brokers enable trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither provides the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies.
Recognizing the breadth of available investments, Plus500 boasts a 4.5-star rating compared to iFOREX’s 3.5 stars. This is further echoed in their respective ranks, with Plus500 holding the 21st spot and iFOREX the 41st among 63 brokers assessed by ForexBrokers.com for their range of investments. In summary, while both brokers offer strong forex trading capabilities, Plus500 provides a wider variety of investment opportunities, making it a more versatile option for traders seeking diverse trading instruments.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 750 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 88 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Plus500 and iFOREX, both brokers offer proprietary, web-based platforms that provide a streamlined experience for online traders. Plus500 stands out by offering a free virtual demo account, allowing traders to practice without financial risk, while iFOREX does not provide this option. Neither platform supports MetaTrader 4 or 5, nor do they incorporate popular features like copy trading, DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade integration. However, when it comes to charting tools, Plus500 provides a more extensive selection with 36 drawing tools compared to iFOREX’s 25, although iFOREX allows trades to be executed directly from stock charts, unlike Plus500.
In terms of watch list customization, Plus500 offers 10 different fields for users to tailor their experience, slightly edging out iFOREX, which provides 9 fields. User ratings reflect these differences in offerings, as Plus500 receives a strong 4.5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, while iFOREX has a respectable 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Plus500 holds a higher position, ranked 14th out of 63 brokers, showcasing its acclaimed platform features and tools, whereas iFOREX is positioned 54th, indicating room for growth in this area.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 57 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 25 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and iFOREX, both platforms are available on iPhone and Android, ensuring accessibility for most users. However, Plus500 stands out by offering features like stock and forex price alerts, which iFOREX does not provide. Moreover, Plus500 enables users to synchronize their watchlists across their mobile app and online account, a feature that iFOREX lacks. With 115 technical studies available for charting on Plus500's app, traders can thoroughly analyze their markets, unlike with iFOREX, which does not provide this feature.
Plus500 also allows traders to draw trend lines and view charts across multiple time frames, enhancing the ability to perform detailed technical analysis, whereas iFOREX does not support these functionalities. Despite neither app auto-saving chart drawings, Plus500 maintains a user-friendly advantage by allowing the creation of real-time quote watchlists. Rated 4.5 stars, Plus500 ranks #14 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, ahead of iFOREX's 4-star rating and #55 rank. Overall, Plus500 offers a more comprehensive mobile trading experience, catering effectively to the needs of both novice and experienced traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the online brokers Plus500 and iFOREX, both platforms provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed and engaged. However, neither broker offers forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. For those interested in technical analysis, both Plus500 and iFOREX provide tools powered by Trading Central, ensuring traders have access to crucial technical analytics. Additionally, both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools, giving insights into market positioning across various currency pairs and other instruments. While neither Plus500 nor iFOREX delivers market research from TipRanks or uses Acuity Trading tools such as Signal Centre, they both maintain comprehensive economic calendars to track global news events.
In terms of ratings, Plus500 scores slightly higher for research with 4.0 stars compared to iFOREX's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com's rankings, Plus500 holds the 19th position out of 63 brokers in the Research category, while iFOREX is positioned at 48th. This suggests that while both brokers offer essential research tools and features, Plus500 may provide a more comprehensive or user-friendly research experience based on current ratings and rankings.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, Plus500 offers a more comprehensive range of materials compared to iFOREX. Plus500 provides over 10 educational pieces focusing on forex or CFDs, whereas iFOREX falls short in this area. Additionally, Plus500 shines with its monthly online webinars and a well-organized archive of past webinars, which are not available through iFOREX. Both brokers present at least 10 beginner trading videos, but Plus500 surpasses with advanced educational videos tailored for seasoned traders, a feature that iFOREX does not offer. Neither broker includes an investor dictionary with 50 or more terms.
With a 4.0-star rating, Plus500 ranks significantly higher than iFOREX's 3.5 stars in the education category, as per ForexBrokers.com. This distinction highlights Plus500's commitment to trader education, placing it at #31 out of 63 brokers, whereas iFOREX is ranked at #53. For beginners seeking extensive resources and a structured learning path, Plus500 stands out as a stronger choice.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
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 iFOREX. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
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
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 |
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Both Plus500 and iFOREX provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Both Plus500 and iFOREX provide the ability to deposit or withdraw account funds using popular methods such as PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, although neither platform offers ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 750 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 88 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 57 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 25 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Plus500 | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
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