Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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 IG and Plus500, it's clear that both are strong contenders with significant trustworthiness. Founded in 1974, IG is an older player in the game, while Plus500 made its mark starting in 2008. Both companies are publicly traded, but only IG holds the distinction of being a bank. Each broker shines with a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting their high reliability.
IG stands out with its accumulation of 8 Tier-1 licenses, indicating strong regulatory backing. Plus500 is not far behind, with 6 Tier-1 licenses under its belt. Additionally, IG carries 2 Tier-2 licenses compared to Plus500's 3, portraying both brokers as trusted institutions, though with slightly different regulatory landscapes. Both IG and Plus500 exhibit impressive regulatory standings, making them trusted choices for traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
IG vs Plus500 on commissions and fees: IG earns 5 stars and ranks #8 of 63 brokers for this category, while Plus500 holds 4.0 stars and ranks #24, according to ForexBrokers.com. In practice, IG tends to be the better value for high-volume and more advanced forex traders thanks to its Direct Market Access (DMA) option and volume-based discounts, whereas Plus500’s pricing is simpler but generally a bit pricier on key pairs.
IG offers multiple execution methods, including market‑maker pricing on its CFD account and DMA via Forex Direct. For EUR/USD, IG’s Forex Direct spreads averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023; when you factor in commission (about 0.2 pips at lower commission tiers), the all‑in cost can land around 0.82 pips. On its spread‑only CFD account, typical EUR/USD spreads averaged 0.69 pips during the main trading session and 0.98 pips across the full day globally (IG US averaged 1.18 pips in that period). Spreads can widen during quieter hours. Active trader rebates are available to qualifying Professional clients in the EU, with 10%–20% spread discounts that can push effective costs toward roughly 0.60 pips in some cases.
Plus500’s pricing is generally a touch above the industry average and trails leaders on active trader pricing. For EUR/USD, Plus500’s average spread was 1.5 pips in April 2024. It doesn’t offer retail discounts, though qualifying Professional clients may receive cash rebates. Bottom line: for traders focused on lower spreads and volume pricing, IG (5 stars, #8/63) is typically more cost‑effective than Plus500 (4.0 stars, #24/63), especially if you use DMA or qualify for rebates.
| Feature |
IG
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | €50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG vs Plus500: when it comes to range of investments, IG offers 19,537 tradeable symbols compared with Plus500’s 5,500. IG also lists 97 forex pairs versus 65 at Plus500, and both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts. In independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com, IG scored 5 stars and ranked 4th out of 63 for Range of Investments, while Plus500 earned 4.5 stars and ranked 22nd.
Both platforms let you buy exchange-traded shares (not CFDs) on U.S. and international exchanges, and neither supports copy trading. For crypto, IG stands out by offering access to actual cryptocurrency as well as crypto CFDs; Plus500 offers crypto only via CFDs. If you want the widest market selection and the option to buy real crypto, IG has the edge. If you’re comfortable with a smaller list of markets focused on CFDs while still having share dealing access, Plus500 is a solid choice.
| Feature |
IG
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
IG and Plus500 both provide free demo accounts and their own in-house trading platforms, accessible through a web browser. IG also offers a Windows desktop platform and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), giving fans of that third-party platform more options. Plus500 does not offer a Windows download and does not support MT4. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and neither offers copy trading.
If you like trading directly from charts, IG has that feature, while Plus500 does not. In independent testing for Trading Platforms and Tools, IG earned 5 stars and ranked #2 out of 63 brokers, while Plus500 scored 4.5 stars and ranked #14. In short, choose IG if you want MT4, a Windows desktop app, and chart trading; choose Plus500 if you’re comfortable sticking with a streamlined, browser-based experience.
| Feature |
IG
|
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) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and Plus500 both offer full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts and watchlists that sync with your online account, so changes carry over across devices. You can draw trendlines on charts in both apps, making it easier to track support and resistance on the go.
For charting tools, Plus500 includes more built-in technical studies (115) than IG (33), but IG auto-saves your chart drawings while Plus500 does not. In independent ratings, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while Plus500 scores 4.5 stars and ranks #14. In short, Plus500 packs in more indicators, whereas IG stands out for overall mobile experience and saving tools—choose based on which matters more to you.
| Feature |
IG
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing IG and Plus500 for market research capabilities, both brokers provide consistent daily market commentary to maintain their clients' engagement with current events. However, IG takes an advantage with comprehensive forex news sourced from reputable agencies like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while Plus500 does not offer this detailed coverage. Additionally, IG provides access to Autochartist tools for in-depth technical and fundamental analysis, whereas Plus500 supports Trading Central tools for similar research purposes. Both platforms equip traders with sentiment-based tools that provide insights into the balance of long or short positions across various instruments.
Further distinguishing IG from Plus500, IG offers supplementary market research through partnerships with TipRanks and Acuity Trading, enhancing decision-making with enriched trading signals and analytics. Both platforms include economic calendars, keeping traders informed about global economic events. Despite their offerings, IG’s research capabilities have earned it a 5-star rating and rank it second out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, indicating superior research support. In contrast, Plus500 achieves a 4-star rating and stands at 19th place in the same category, reflecting strong but comparatively lesser research resources.
| Feature |
IG
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing IG versus Plus500 on beginner education: both brokers provide forex and CFD learning centers with at least 10 educational pieces (such as articles, videos, and archived webinars). Each hosts educational client webinars at least once a month, and both offer 10+ beginner videos plus 10+ advanced videos—useful for building skills from basic concepts to more in‑depth strategies.
The key difference is how they’re rated. IG earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, signaling a wider, higher‑quality learning experience for new traders. Plus500 scores 4.0 stars and ranks #31 out of 63. In short, IG stands out if you want the most extensive, top‑rated education, while Plus500 provides a simpler set of lessons and regular webinars that can still cover the essentials.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 IG is better than Plus500. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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IG vs Plus500: IG lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency in addition to trading cryptocurrency CFDs, while Plus500 does not offer delivered crypto but does provide cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Compared with Plus500, IG supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, while Plus500 offers PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA.
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 | IG | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | €50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | 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) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 115 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | IG | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Plus500 Review |
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