Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB and Plus500 are both prominent online brokerage firms that provide various trading services to investors around the world. Founded in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company and is not a bank. Similarly, Plus500, which began operations in 2008, is also publicly traded and not a bank. Both companies are transparent and regulated, but there are differences in their regulatory standings and trust ratings. XTB holds two highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and two trusted Tier-2 licenses, earning a very high Trust Score of 96 on ForexBrokers.com.
Comparatively, Plus500 surpasses XTB with six highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and three trusted Tier-2 licenses, culminating in a near-perfect Trust Score of 99. Both brokers are subject to rigorous regulatory oversight, providing a secure environment for traders. While XTB offers a strong level of trust and reliability, Plus500 takes a slight edge by holding more licenses and scoring the highest possible trust rating. This makes Plus500 a compelling choice for those prioritizing regulatory assurance and trust in their online brokerage.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
For commissions and fees, XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #12 of 63 at ForexBrokers.com, while Plus500 scores 4.0/5 stars and ranks #24. In simple terms, XTB’s pricing sits around the industry average, whereas Plus500 is slightly above average. That difference shows up most clearly in their typical spreads.
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account that’s largely being phased out and not promoted (available mainly to qualifying elected Professionals in the U.K. and EU or certain legacy clients). Using Q4 2023 data, XTB’s average EUR/USD spread was about 1.0 pip. The Standard account is usually cheaper for smaller trade sizes, with pricing converging at higher volumes. Minimum deposit starts at 250 in your base currency. Active traders can get spread rebates through XTB’s Lower Spread Group, returning about 5% to 30% of the spread once monthly volumes reach 20 to 1000 lots; in the EU, eligibility may require elective professional status.
Plus500’s pricing is a bit higher than average and it doesn’t offer retail discounts. The average EUR/USD spread was about 1.5 pips in April 2024. Cash rebates may be available only if you qualify as a Professional client. Bottom line: XTB typically comes out cheaper on core forex pairs and also offers potential rebates for high-volume traders, whereas Plus500 keeps a simple spread-only model that tends to cost a little more for most retail traders.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 1.3 |
| 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.
XTB and Plus500 both let you trade forex either as CFDs or spot, but XTB offers more markets overall. XTB lists 7,184 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, while Plus500 provides about 5,500 symbols and 65 forex pairs. For range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates XTB at 5 stars (ranked 15th of 63 brokers) and Plus500 at 4.5 stars (ranked 22nd), signaling a wider selection at XTB.
Both brokers allow investing in real, exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges (so you can buy stocks like Apple and Vodafone directly, not as CFDs). Neither offers copy trading. Neither supports buying actual cryptocurrency, but both support crypto derivatives. If you want the largest menu of markets, XTB has the edge; Plus500 still delivers a broad lineup for most needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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). | 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.
When comparing XTB and Plus500, both brokers offer impressive proprietary platforms developed in-house, providing users with innovative and user-friendly trading experiences. Both platforms include a free virtual demo account, allowing traders to practice and familiarize themselves with the interface before committing to real trades. However, XTB gives traders the flexibility of a Windows-based desktop download platform, which Plus500 lacks, though both brokers deliver easy access through web-based trading platforms. Although neither broker offers the widely used MetaTrader 4 or 5 platforms, they provide ample technical analysis tools for charting. XTB offers 32 drawing tools, while Plus500 edges ahead slightly with 36. Notably, only XTB permits direct trading from stock charts, adding a layer of convenience for its users.
When it comes to organizing and monitoring potential trades, both brokers offer comprehensive watch lists, with Plus500 allowing for more customization via ten columns compared to XTB’s eight. Despite these differences, both brokers receive an impressive 4.5-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. XTB holds a slight lead in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, coming in at 9th place, compared to Plus500’s 14th out of 63 brokers. Each platform thus caters to various trading needs, with XTB standing out for desktop platform availability and the ability to trade directly from charts.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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) | 39 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 36 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 10 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Plus500 both provide versatile mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android devices, catering to traders on the go. Each app offers essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, trendline drawing capabilities, and the ability to view multiple time frames like daily, weekly, or intraday on charts. When it comes to technical studies, Plus500 stands out with 115 options, compared to XTB's 39. Additionally, Plus500 allows watchlist symbol syncing, making it easier to track preferred stocks across devices, whereas XTB does not offer this feature. Conversely, XTB ensures that any drawings on charts are automatically saved, while Plus500 lacks this functionality.
In terms of user satisfaction, both platforms earn a strong 4.5-star rating for their mobile trading apps. However, XTB holds a slightly higher rank, placing 8th out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category, while Plus500 is ranked 14th. Both apps enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, offering a reliable and engaging trading experience. Whether you prioritize detailed charting options or seamless syncing across devices will help determine which platform might be the better fit for your trading needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 115 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to providing daily market insights, both XTB and Plus500 stand out as they each offer daily market commentary to keep traders informed. However, when delving into specialized market news, XTB takes a lead by incorporating forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which Plus500 lacks. Though both platforms lack tools from Autochartist, Plus500 compensates with research features from Trading Central, offering technical analytics not available on XTB. For traders interested in market sentiment, both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools that highlight trading positions across various instruments, ensuring users stay in tune with market trends.
In terms of specialized market research, neither XTB nor Plus500 offers resources from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. However, both platforms provide an economic calendar that highlights key global events, helping traders stay ahead of economic changes. Despite some similarities, XTB is favored for research capabilities, boasting a stellar 5-star rating and ranking 7th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Plus500, while still competitive with a 4-star rating, follows behind in 19th place. For traders focused on research-driven strategies, XTB's superior integration of high-quality forex news and higher industry ratings make it a more appealing choice.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners between XTB and Plus500, both online brokers provide a variety of learning materials suitable for those new to trading. They each deliver more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focusing on forex and CFDs. Additionally, both platforms host at least one online webinar every month and have an archive of past webinars for users to search through. This accessibility to educational content ensures that starters in the trading world have ample resources to explore and learn at their own pace.
However, there are distinctions in how each broker is perceived in terms of educational quality. XTB boasts a higher rating, receiving 5 stars for education, compared to Plus500, which is rated at 4.0 stars. Furthermore, XTB ranks significantly higher in the educational category at number 11 out of 63 brokers, whereas Plus500 is positioned at number 31. Despite neither broker offering an investor dictionary with definitions of at least 50 investing terms, the overall learning experience for beginners may be more enriched with XTB due to these differences in ranking and rating.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than Plus500. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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Plus500
|
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 |
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Both XTB and Plus500 do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XTB and Plus500 offer convenient options like PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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). | 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 | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €50 | |
| 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 | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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 | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 10 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 36 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 115 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | XTB | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Plus500 Review |
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