Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of StoneX Trading 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.
StoneX Trading and Plus500 are both publicly traded online brokers that are not banks, and each has a top ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, which places them in the “highly trusted” range. StoneX Trading was founded in 1983, while Plus500 was founded in 2008, so StoneX has a much longer track record in the market.
When it comes to regulation, both brokers hold 7 Tier-1 licenses, which ForexBrokers.com views as highly trusted. Plus500 has a slight edge in Tier-2 coverage with 4 licenses, compared with 1 for StoneX Trading. Overall, both brokers appear well regulated, but Plus500 shows a broader mix of mid-tier oversight while StoneX Trading stands out for its longer history.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1983 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 7 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 4 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
StoneX Trading is generally priced in line with the industry average for CFDs, forex, and spread-betting products, especially when you use its own platforms or MetaTrader. Its EUR/USD spread averaged 0.74 pips as of July 2023, which keeps costs competitive, though it still trails the very cheapest forex brokers. StoneX Trading also offers active trader rebates for eligible professionals, with U.K. rates starting at £4 per million and rising to £7.5 per million, while Australian rebates range from AUD $4.5 to AUD $14.5 per million. For commissions and fees, StoneX Trading earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers.
Plus500, by comparison, is slightly more expensive than the industry average and does not offer discounts to retail clients. It does provide cash rebates for clients who qualify as Professional traders, but its active trader pricing still sits behind lower-cost rivals. Plus500’s EUR/USD spread averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is above the industry norm. For commissions and fees, Plus500 is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars and is ranked #25 out of 36 brokers.
In simple terms, StoneX Trading is the better choice if you are focused on lower trading costs, especially for forex and active trading. Plus500 is still a well-known broker, but its spreads are generally wider and its fees are less competitive overall.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | €50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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.
When comparing StoneX Trading and Plus500 for range of investments, StoneX Trading offers a wider selection overall, with 13,500 tradeable symbols versus Plus500’s 5,500. StoneX Trading also has a small edge in forex, offering 66 currency pairs compared with 65 at Plus500. Both brokers support forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, and both allow trading in cryptocurrency CFDs, though neither lets clients buy actual delivered crypto.
The biggest difference comes in the types of markets available. Plus500 lets clients trade exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone shares, while StoneX Trading does not offer these direct stock purchases. On the other hand, StoneX Trading supports copy trading, which Plus500 does not. These differences help explain why StoneX Trading is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranked #8 out of 36 brokers, while Plus500 is rated 4.5 stars and ranked #16.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 65 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
StoneX Trading and Plus500 both give traders a choice of a proprietary platform and a free demo account for simulated trading, plus a web-based platform for trading in a browser. Each broker also earns a 4.5-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools, so both offer a strong overall experience in this area. On ForexBrokers.com, StoneX Trading ranks slightly higher at #11 out of 36 brokers, compared with Plus500 at #14.
Where StoneX Trading stands out is in its wider platform selection and extra trading features. It offers a Windows desktop platform, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), copy trading, and the ability to trade directly from a stock chart. Plus500 does not offer a Windows desktop download, MT4, copy trading, or direct-from-chart trading. For traders who want more platform choices and built-in tools, StoneX Trading has the edge, while Plus500 may suit those who prefer a simpler browser-based setup.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
StoneX Trading and Plus500 both make it easy to trade on the go, with iPhone and Android apps available for each broker. Both apps also include price alerts, watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account, and the ability to draw trendlines on stock or forex charts. Each broker earns a 4.5-star rating for mobile trading apps, showing that both deliver a strong experience for everyday mobile traders.
When comparing charting tools, Plus500 offers more technical studies in its mobile app, with 115 versus 88 at StoneX Trading. However, StoneX Trading has an edge in a key convenience feature because its app automatically saves chart drawings, while Plus500 does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps ranking, StoneX Trading places higher at #9 out of 36 brokers, compared with Plus500 at #14, making StoneX Trading the better choice overall for mobile app users who value saved chart work and a higher category rank.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
StoneX Trading and Plus500 both give traders helpful market research tools, including daily market commentary, Trading Central analysis, sentiment data, and an economic calendar with global events. Each broker also earns a strong 4.5-star rating for Research, which shows that both platforms offer useful support for traders who want to stay informed before placing trades.
The main difference is that StoneX Trading has an edge in forex news, offering updates from major sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while Plus500 does not. That added news coverage may make StoneX Trading a better choice for traders who want more in-depth market updates. This difference is reflected in ForexBrokers.com’s Research rankings, where StoneX Trading is placed #10 out of 36 brokers, ahead of Plus500 at #16.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
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.
StoneX Trading and Plus500 both give beginners plenty of learning support, including forex and CFD education, monthly online webinars, and at least 10 beginner-level and 10 advanced videos. Each broker is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education, which suggests that both platforms take trader learning seriously and offer a wide range of materials for new and more experienced users.
For beginners comparing the two, StoneX Trading stands out for its stronger overall education ranking, placing #9 out of 36 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category, while Plus500 ranks #26. In simple terms, both brokers provide solid educational content, but StoneX Trading appears to offer a more highly rated learning experience for traders who want more guidance as they get started.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
|
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 StoneX Trading is better than Plus500. StoneX Trading finished with an overall rank of #8, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
Backed by StoneX Group and formerly named City Index, StoneX Trading is a trusted brand known for its versatile trading platforms, excellent mobile app, diverse market research, and extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
StoneX Trading
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Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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StoneX Trading and Plus500 both allow traders to access cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither online broker offers the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing StoneX Trading vs Plus500, StoneX Trading supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, while Plus500 also offers PayPal and bank wires but adds Skrill and does not support ACH/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 | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | StoneX Trading Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 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 | 1 | 4 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| 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) |
| Investments | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13500 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 66 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.4 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.9 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £100.00 | €50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 115 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | StoneX Trading | 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 | 88 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | StoneX Trading | 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 | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | StoneX Trading Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | StoneX Trading | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | StoneX Trading Review | Plus500 Review |
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