Deciding between Plus500 and Markets.com can be challenging, as both platforms are known for delivering positive user experiences. However, there are some key differences that could influence which broker is better aligned with your trading style and goals.

In this comprehensive Plus500 vs. Markets.com comparison, we break down the key features and advantages of each platform to help you make a well-informed decision.

SR
Headquarters	Israel	United States
Regulators	ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS	ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Owned by Public Company?	Yes	Yes
Year Established	2008	2008
Execution Type(s)	Market Maker	Market Maker
Minimum Deposit	$100	$100
Negative Balance Protection	Yes	No
Trading Platform(s)	Proprietary platform, Web-based	Proprietary platform
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD	1.3 pips	0.7 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD	1.7 pips	1.1 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil	–	$0.05
Average Trading Cost Gold	–	$0.30
Retail Loss Rate	82.00%	79.90%
Minimum Raw Spreads	Not applicable	Not applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads	Not applicable	0.6 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex	Commission-free	Commission-free
Islamic Account	Yes	Yes
Signals	No	Yes
US Persons Accepted?	Yes	No
Managed Accounts	No	No
	Visit Website	Visit Website

Features and Platforms

Plus500 and Markets.com, owned by Playtech PLC, are both publicly-listed multi-asset brokers located in the UK; each is also a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. While both brokers have catered to clients since 2008, Markets.com has matured into a significantly more competitive broker. Plus500 only provides its own sub-standard proprietary trading platform, without support for automated or social trading. It does not offer research but publishes brief market commentary. Seven articles, which include short videos, add limited educational content. Markets.com offers traders two versions of its proprietary trading platform, together with the MT4/MT5 trading platforms.

Available Markets

Currency Pairs	Yes	No
Cryptocurrencies	Yes	No
Commodities	Yes	Yes
Crude Oil	Yes	Yes
Gold	Yes	Yes
Metals	Yes	Yes
Equity Indices	Yes	Yes
Stocks (non-CFDs)	No	No
Bonds	No	Yes
ETFs	Yes	Yes
Options	Yes	No
Futures	No	No
Synthetics	No	No

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD	1.3 pips	0.7 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD	1.7 pips	1.1 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil	–	$0.05
Average Trading Cost Gold	–	$0.30
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin	–	$51.50
Minimum Raw Spreads	Not applicable	Not applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads	Not applicable	0.6 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex	Commission-free	Commission-free
Deposit Fee	No	No
Withdrawal Fee	No	No
Inactivity Fee	$10 monthly after 3 months	N/A

Plus500 offers commission-free, dynamic, market-dependent Forex spreads, while Markets.com features a minimum markup of 0.6 pips. The former displays higher markups on equity CFDs, while the latter implements a more cost-effective pricing structure. Traders at both brokers receive the effects of corporate actions. Traders pay swap rates on leveraged overnight positions at Plus500 and Markets.com. Neither broker charges internal deposit nor withdrawal fees, but third party-costs may apply.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator	United Arab Emirates, Australia, Cyprus, Estonia, Israel, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, United Kingdom, South Africa	Australia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, South Africa
Name of the Regulator	ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS	ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Regulatory License Number	509909, 250/14, 417727, 486026, 47546, SD039, 100648-1, NOT AVAILABLE, 4.1-1/18, F005651	607305, 092/08, 424008, SIBA/L/14/1067, 46860

Plus500 operates under regulatory supervision in seven jurisdictions, including the UK, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Seychelles, and Singapore. However, it’s worth noting that in 2012, Plus500 received a fine from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for inaccurate transaction reporting. Despite this, the broker remains compliant and adheres to all regulatory standards.

Markets.com, on the other hand, is regulated in the UK, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands — and holds a clean regulatory record to date.

Both brokers are publicly listed companies and comply with strict capital requirements. They also ensure the segregation of client funds and offer negative balance protection, providing a secure trading environment for clients.

While both brokers maintain strong regulatory standing and client fund protection, Markets.com has a slight advantage in terms of trust, especially considering Plus500’s past regulatory missteps over the last eight years.

All client funds held by Plus500’s Cyprus entity are kept in segregated accounts in accordance with the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) regulations.

Plus500 vs Markets.com Verdict

Both Plus500 and Markets.com offer clients access to a secure trading environment and a wide range of over 2,000 financial instruments. However, the quality of the overall trading experience differs significantly between the two.

Plus500 provides a proprietary trading platform that, while user-friendly, lacks essential functionality. It does not support automated or social trading solutions, limiting flexibility for more advanced traders. Additionally, Plus500 falls short in terms of educational and research resources — with only seven educational articles and no in-depth market research, it fails to meet the needs of new and experienced traders alike. Moreover, 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money on the platform, underlining the importance of enhanced support and education for clients.

Markets.com, on the other hand, offers a more robust and competitive trading environment. Clients have access to both MT4 and MT5 platforms, fully supporting automated trading strategies. In addition to a dedicated CFD trading platform and an investor platform, Markets.com provides 14 advanced trading tools and value-added features that enhance user experience. Traders also benefit from high-quality research, curated market news, and XRay — a personalized financial live-streaming service that sets Markets.com apart from its competitors. Despite 75.6% of retail clients incurring losses, the platform’s superior support, tools, and resources offer a better foundation for trading success.