Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs LegacyFX, 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, Plus500 has established itself as a highly trusted online broker, scoring an impressive 99 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com's Trust Score. This high rating is supported by its status as a publicly traded company and its possession of 6 Tier-1 licenses, which reflect top-level approval from financial regulators. Plus500 is not a bank, but its strong regulatory credentials make it a favored choice for those seeking a reliable broker.
LegacyFX, launched in 2012, presents a different regulatory picture. It is not publicly traded, and while it possesses one Tier-1 license, it lacks Tier-2 licenses, receiving a Trust Score of 67. This places LegacyFX in a higher risk category compared to its counterpart. Both firms are not banks, but the contrast in their regulatory standings makes Plus500 the more trusted option among these two.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2012 |
| 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 |
Plus500 vs. LegacyFX on commissions and fees: Plus500 earns 4.0/5 stars and ranks #24 out of 63 for this category, while LegacyFX scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks #58 out of 63, according to ForexBrokers.com. Plus500’s pricing sits slightly above the industry average but is more transparent, whereas LegacyFX’s costs are harder to pin down due to a lack of published average spreads.
Plus500’s average spread on EUR/USD was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry average and trails top active-trader pricing at brokers like IG or Saxo. There are no retail discounts, but qualifying Professional clients can receive cash rebates (similar to an active trader program). Overall, Plus500 offers clearer day-to-day cost expectations even if pricing isn’t the lowest.
LegacyFX’s fees depend on which entity you use and the account tier. In the EU (CySEC), Silver, Gold, and Platinum accounts require minimum deposits of $500, $5,000, and $25,000, respectively; advertised spreads are lowest on Platinum, while the Silver account lists a minimum EUR/USD spread of 1.6 pips. Internationally (Vanuatu), there are seven tiers with minimum deposits from $500 to $50,000, and higher tiers add more support and tools. Because LegacyFX does not publish average spreads, it’s difficult to estimate typical trading costs across markets.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $500 |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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.
Comparing the range of investments, Plus500 offers far more choice with 5,500 tradeable symbols versus 425 at LegacyFX, and 65 forex pairs versus 44. Both brokers support forex trading (via CFDs or spot). A key difference is stock access: Plus500 lets you buy exchange-traded shares directly on U.S. and international exchanges (for example, Apple or Vodafone), while LegacyFX does not offer direct share dealing. Both provide cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither lets you buy and hold actual crypto.
LegacyFX does include copy trading, which Plus500 lacks. For overall range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates Plus500 4.5/5 (ranked 22nd of 63) and LegacyFX 3.5/5 (ranked 49th of 63). If you want the widest selection and access to real shares, Plus500 has the edge; if copy trading is a priority, LegacyFX may suit your needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 425 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 44 |
| 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 and LegacyFX both offer free demo accounts for paper trading and provide web-based platforms. Plus500 delivers a proprietary platform but does not have a Windows desktop app. LegacyFX does not have its own platform, yet it does offer a Windows desktop option and supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Copy trading is available at LegacyFX but not at Plus500. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade.
For charting and lists, Plus500 includes 36 drawing tools and 10 watchlist columns, while LegacyFX offers 15 drawing tools and 7 watchlist columns. Trading from the chart is available at LegacyFX but not at Plus500. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 scores 4.5/5 and ranks #14 of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, whereas LegacyFX scores 3.5/5 and ranks #61. In short, pick Plus500 for a simple in-house web platform with more drawing tools and watchlist fields, or choose LegacyFX if you want desktop MT5, copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and LegacyFX both offer iPhone and Android mobile trading apps with price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, trendline drawing, and multiple chart time frames. The big usability difference is syncing: Plus500 syncs watchlists between the app and your online account, while LegacyFX does not. However, LegacyFX auto-saves chart drawings, and Plus500 does not.
For charting depth, Plus500 includes 115 technical indicators, compared with 30 on LegacyFX, giving more ways to analyze markets from your phone. Reflecting this, Plus500’s mobile app is rated 4.5 stars and ranks 14th out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps by ForexBrokers.com, while LegacyFX is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 62nd. If indicator variety and seamless watchlist syncing matter most, Plus500 is the stronger pick; if auto-saving drawings is your priority, LegacyFX has that advantage.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Plus500 and LegacyFX cover the basics for market research with daily commentary and an economic calendar. LegacyFX adds live forex news from top‑tier sources (e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters, Dow Jones) and offers Autochartist tools for trade ideas. Plus500 instead includes Trading Central research and a sentiment tool that shows the share of long vs. short positions across markets. Plus500 does not offer TipRanks or Acuity Trading; for LegacyFX, access to TipRanks and Acuity Trading was not specified.
In overall research strength, Plus500 is rated 4.0/5 and ranks 19th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while LegacyFX scores 3.5/5 and ranks 47th. Choose LegacyFX if premium news and Autochartist scans are priorities; choose Plus500 if you want Trading Central insights and a clear crowd‑sentiment gauge to guide your trading.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational resources for beginners between Plus500 and LegacyFX, both platforms provide a solid starting point for those new to forex or CFDs. They each offer comprehensive educational content with a minimum of 10 pieces focused on trading, whether through articles, videos, or webinars. Both brokers also ensure ongoing learning opportunities with monthly online webinars, which are conveniently archived for later viewing. Beginners can find at least 10 specific videos on trading topics, making it easier to grasp the basics before diving deeper into more advanced content.
Plus500 stands out slightly more with a higher educational rating of 4.0 stars compared to LegacyFX’s 3.5 stars, as reflected in their respective rankings by ForexBrokers.com—#31 for Plus500 and #35 for LegacyFX. A key difference is that LegacyFX enhances its educational offering with a useful investor dictionary featuring over 50 terms, which Plus500 lacks. This added resource can be especially beneficial for beginners needing quick and easy access to definitions while learning. Overall, while both platforms are commendable in their support for new traders, Plus500’s higher rating suggests a slightly more favorable educational experience.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 LegacyFX. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while LegacyFX finished with an overall rank of #63.
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
|
LegacyFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 67 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
When comparing online brokers, Plus500 and LegacyFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, instead both provide options to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, Plus500 and LegacyFX both provide Visa/Mastercard and bank wire options for account transactions, but Plus500 distinguishes itself by additionally offering PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, while both brokers provide Skrill, yet neither supports 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | LegacyFX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 67 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2012 | |
| 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 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 425 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 44 | |
| 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 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $500 | |
| 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 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | LegacyFX Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | LegacyFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | LegacyFX Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill