Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs ThinkMarkets, 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 the online brokers Plus500 and ThinkMarkets, both platforms offer reliable trading options but differ in some key areas. Plus500, established in 2008, is publicly traded and holds six Tier-1 licenses, contributing to its exceptional Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010 and not publicly traded, holds five Tier-1 licenses and achieves a commendable Trust Score of 92. Neither broker operates as a bank, yet they are prominently regulated, reflecting their commitment to providing secure trading environments.
The higher number of Tier-1 licenses held by Plus500 indicates a stronger regulatory foundation, which can be particularly appealing to traders prioritizing trust and security. ThinkMarkets, while slightly behind in licenses, maintains a solid reputation with its impressive regulatory measures. Despite their differences, both brokers are considered highly trusted by industry standards, offering traders peace of mind when engaging in financial markets.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When comparing Plus500 and ThinkMarkets in terms of commissions and fees, Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average and performs below some of the leading forex brokers for active trader pricing, such as IG or Saxo. Although Plus500 does not offer discounts to retail clients, it does provide cash rebates similar to an active trader program if you qualify as a Professional client. Spreads for EUR/USD at Plus500 averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry standard. Plus500 earns a 4.0-star rating for its commissions and fees and ranks 25th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, while specific average spread data for ThinkMarkets is not available, it also achieves a 4.0-star rating for commissions and fees, similar to Plus500. However, ThinkMarkets is ranked lower at 48th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, both Plus500 and ThinkMarkets offer competitive pricing with a 4.0-star rating for their commissions and fees. However, Plus500 is ranked higher than ThinkMarkets according to ForexBrokers.com, placing them among the top 25 brokers, whereas ThinkMarkets sits at 48th place.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.1 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 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.
When comparing the range of investments between Plus500 and ThinkMarkets, both online brokers offer forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, providing traders with flexible options to engage in currency markets. Plus500 stands out with a formidable 5,500 tradeable symbols and access to 65 forex pairs, whereas ThinkMarkets offers 4,000 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Additionally, Plus500 enables clients to buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, broadening the investment landscape significantly, while ThinkMarkets only offers securities on international exchanges.
For investors interested in cryptocurrency, both brokers allow the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither provides access to actual cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, while Plus500 does not support copy trading, ThinkMarkets offers this feature, catering to those who prefer following seasoned traders. Despite these differences, both brokers achieve an impressive 4.5-star rating for their range of investments, with ThinkMarkets ranking slightly higher at 22 out of 63 brokers compared to Plus500's rank of 24. This ranking indicates strong investment offerings but highlights subtle distinctions in what each broker brings to the table for their clients.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 4000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing Plus500 and ThinkMarkets, both brokers offer access to a free virtual demo account, making it easy for users to practice without risk. Each has its own proprietary platform, but Plus500 distinguishes itself with a web-based platform only, while ThinkMarkets additionally provides a Windows-based desktop platform. MetaTrader fans might lean towards ThinkMarkets, as it supports both MT4 and MT5, whereas Plus500 does not. For those interested in copy trading, ThinkMarkets offers this feature while Plus500 does not. Both brokers do not support DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
In terms of charting and customization options, Plus500 provides 22 drawing tools compared to ThinkMarkets' 15. However, ThinkMarkets enhances usability by allowing trades directly from the stock chart, a feature Plus500 lacks. ThinkMarkets also offers more comprehensive watch lists with 15 fields compared to Plus500’s 10. Despite the differences, Plus500 receives a higher rating for Trading Platforms and Tools at 4.5 stars over ThinkMarkets’ 4 stars and is ranked #14 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets comes in at #28. Overall, Plus500 is a strong contender for those who prefer simplicity and web-based trading, while ThinkMarkets caters well to traders seeking more traditional and varied trading tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 15 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and ThinkMarkets provide comprehensive mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, catering to a wide range of trader needs. Users of both platforms can enjoy features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and access to varying time frames on their charts. While ThinkMarkets offers an autosave feature for chart drawings that Plus500 does not, Plus500 makes up for this with enhanced watchlist features, allowing seamless syncing between mobile and online accounts, a convenience ThinkMarkets lacks. Furthermore, Plus500 shines in charting capabilities, offering 110 technical studies compared to ThinkMarkets’ 94, providing a more substantial toolbox for technical analysis enthusiasts.
Regarding user ratings and overall ranking, Plus500 holds a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating and a #14 ranking out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ThinkMarkets is rated 4 stars and sits at #20 in the same category. Both apps facilitate the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring traders have up-to-date information at their fingertips. For those prioritizing a broader range of technical tools and seamless syncing capability, Plus500 might be the preferred choice, while users who appreciate an autosave feature for chart annotations might favor ThinkMarkets.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 94 |
| 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.
When comparing Plus500 and ThinkMarkets for market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and a valuable sentiment-based trading tool. However, Plus500 falls short in offering forex news from established sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, a feature that ThinkMarkets provides. On the flip side, Plus500 has the edge with research tools from Trading Central, while ThinkMarkets lacks this specific offering. Additionally, ThinkMarkets enhances its market research with tools from Acuity Trading, which are absent in Plus500's toolbox. Both brokers feature an economic calendar, helping traders stay informed on global news events.
While Plus500 and ThinkMarkets present unique benefits, there is a noticeable difference in their research ratings and rankings. Plus500 garners a 4.0-star rating for its research services, ranking 19th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, showing a stronger position in the market. In contrast, ThinkMarkets receives a 3.5-star rating and holds the 50th position. This comparison highlights Plus500's slightly superior position in providing comprehensive market research tools for traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by Plus500 and ThinkMarkets, both online brokers provide a comprehensive learning experience for beginners interested in forex and CFDs trading. Each offers over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, specifically designed to enhance beginner knowledge. Both platforms also host monthly webinars and provide a searchable archive of past sessions, allowing users to learn at their own pace. This attention to beginner education is reflected in Plus500's slightly higher education rating of 4.0 stars compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars.
In addition to extensive beginner resources, both brokers offer over ten advanced educational videos for more experienced traders. However, Plus500 lacks an investor dictionary, which is something ThinkMarkets provides, offering definitions for over 50 investing terms. Despite this difference, Plus500's more diversified and accessible educational resources place it at 31st in ForexBrokers.com's education category rankings, compared to ThinkMarkets' 52nd position, highlighting Plus500's edge in educational offerings for novices.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 ThinkMarkets. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.
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
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 92 |
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Both Plus500 and ThinkMarkets do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the online brokers Plus500 and ThinkMarkets, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers, but Plus500 uniquely accepts PayPal alongside Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for fund transactions, whereas ThinkMarkets matches only the options for Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 92 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 4000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $50 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 110 | 94 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
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