Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs Xtrade, 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, particularly focusing on regulatory aspects, both Plus500 and Xtrade present distinct profiles. Plus500, established in 2008 and publicly traded, stands out with a remarkable ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99. This score signifies it as a highly trusted choice. The broker boasts six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, highlighting its strong regulatory framework and commitment to providing a secure trading environment. Plus500 is not a bank, but its credentials offer reassurance for those seeking a reliable platform.
On the other hand, Xtrade, founded in 2003, is privately held and holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 74, categorizing it as average risk. Xtrade possesses one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, indicating it meets standard regulatory requirements but may not have the same level of oversight as Plus500. Similar to Plus500, Xtrade is not a bank. While Xtrade offers a safe experience with compliance to necessary regulations, traders focused on trust and transparency might find Plus500's higher licensing and trust score appealing.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers, Plus500 shows a slightly above-average pricing structure compared to its peers, particularly in the active trader category, where it lags behind top contenders like IG and Saxo. While Plus500 does not offer retail client discounts, it provides cash rebates akin to an active trader program for those who qualify as Professional clients. The spread for EUR/USD was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry norm. Plus500 received an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, placing it at the 23rd position out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Xtrade does not provide average spread data, leaving potential clients without a complete picture of potential costs. This lack of transparency likely contributes to Xtrade’s lower rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. Furthermore, Xtrade ranks last at the 63rd place out of the 63 brokers surveyed by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category.
In summary, Plus500 presents a more competitive pricing model compared to Xtrade, with tangible benefits for Professional clients and notably higher customer ratings and ranks. While Xtrade might offer different advantages, its position in terms of commissions and fees is noticeably weaker, making Plus500 a more attractive choice for those sensitive to commission structures.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $250 |
| 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 | No |
| 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 Plus500 and Xtrade, Plus500 stands out with its expansive selection of investment options, offering a substantial 5,500 tradeable symbols compared to Xtrade's 482. Both platforms facilitate forex trading through CFDs, yet Plus500 offers a slightly broader range with 65 forex pairs, while Xtrade has 56. For investors interested in exchange-traded securities, Plus500 provides access to U.S. and international markets, enabling clients to buy well-known stocks such as Apple and Vodafone directly. In contrast, Xtrade does not offer such access, focusing solely on CFD trading rather than direct stock purchases.
Despite both brokers offering cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies for purchase, Plus500 receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars for its range of investments, reflecting its extensive offerings and versatility. Xtrade, while still commendable with a 3.5-star rating, doesn't match the breadth available on Plus500. ForexBrokers.com ranks Plus500 higher at #21 out of 63 brokers for its investment range, while Xtrade comes in at #49. Neither platform supports copy trading, which may be a consideration for investors seeking that functionality.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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). 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.
Both Plus500 and Xtrade offer users the chance to practice with simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, along with proprietary platforms developed by each company. These platforms are accessible via web browsers, but neither broker provides a Windows-based desktop download option. Popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are not available with either Plus500 or Xtrade. Additionally, they do not support third-party social trading platforms such as DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, and copy trading is not an option with these brokers.
When it comes to charting, Plus500 provides 36 drawing tools, whereas Xtrade offers a greater range with 100, giving users a wider array of tools for technical analysis. However, Xtrade stands out by allowing trades directly from stock charts, a feature Plus500 lacks. In terms of watch list customization, Plus500 leads with 10 columns, one more than Xtrade. Despite these differences, Plus500 is highly rated with 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, much higher than Xtrade's 3.5-star rating. Furthermore, Plus500 ranks #14 among 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category according to ForexBrokers.com, far surpassing Xtrade, which is ranked at #58.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | 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) | 115 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and Xtrade, there are several key differences to consider. Both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android users, but Plus500 stands out for its stock and forex price alert feature, something Xtrade does not offer. Additionally, Plus500's app supports watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless integration with a client's online account, whereas Xtrade lacks this functionality. For traders who rely on technical analysis, Plus500 provides a rich array of 115 technical studies in its app, while Xtrade's offerings in this area are not specified. Plus500 also offers the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, which Xtrade does not support.
Real-time quote watchlists are available in Plus500's app, adding to its user-friendly experience. Both brokers do not auto-save chart drawings, but Plus500's overall features significantly enhance the user experience, reflected in its 4.5-star rating compared to Xtrade's 4 stars. Furthermore, Plus500 ranks #14 in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com, outperforming Xtrade, which is ranked at #53. These differences highlight Plus500's stronger focus on providing a comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Plus500 and Xtrade, both brokers offer daily market commentary and access to an economic calendar that highlights global news events. However, Plus500 stands out for providing research and analysis tools from Trading Central, such as Technical Analytics, and a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the ratio of long and short positions across different instruments. Xtrade, on the other hand, does provide forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which Plus500 lacks, but does not offer the same level of technical analysis tools. Neither broker avails research tools from companies like Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
In terms of research quality, Plus500 receives a rating of 4.0 stars, ranking 19th among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This highlights its competitive edge in offering valuable trading insights. Xtrade, while useful, has a rating of 3.5 stars, placing it at 52nd in the rankings. Overall, Plus500 offers broader and more advanced research tools for traders seeking extensive market analysis, aside from lacking direct integration of news from top-tier sources.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Plus500 and Xtrade provide a variety of materials focused on forex or CFDs trading. Plus500 offers a comprehensive selection of more than 10 educational pieces, including articles and videos, along with the opportunity to attend monthly online webinars. Furthermore, Plus500 provides a searchable archive of recorded webinars, allowing beginners to revisit past sessions at their own pace. In addition, beginners can access a series of 10 instructional videos tailored specifically to their needs, while more advanced traders have another set of 10 videos to enhance their expertise. Although Plus500 does not offer an investor dictionary, its structured educational resources have earned it a 4-star rating and a commendable ranking of #31 out of 63 brokers in the Education category.
Xtrade, on the other hand, matches Plus500 in offering over 10 educational resources such as articles and videos that cover forex and CFDs trading. However, Xtrade does not provide online educational webinars or a searchable archive of previous sessions. Moreover, while Xtrade lacks beginner-focused educational videos, it compensates with an investor dictionary containing definitions of over 50 investing terms, which can be a valuable tool for new investors. Rated at 3.5 stars for education and ranked #46 among 63 brokers, Xtrade provides useful resources, but falls short of the offerings at Plus500 when it comes to interactive learning opportunities and video content aimed at beginners and advanced traders alike.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Xtrade. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
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
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 74 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Plus500 and Xtrade do not offer the ability to buy actual cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Plus500 and Xtrade offer Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options for depositing and withdrawing funds, only Plus500 provides the flexibility of using PayPal, as neither broker 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2003 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | No | |
| 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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). 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $250 | |
| 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 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | 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 | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Xtrade Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill