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.
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SR |
 |
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Headquarters |
Israel | United States |
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Regulators |
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS | ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
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Owned by Public Company? |
Yes | Yes |
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Year Established |
2008 | 2008 |
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Execution Type(s) |
Market Maker | Market Maker |
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Minimum Deposit |
$100 | $100 |
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Negative Balance Protection |
Yes | No |
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Trading Platform(s) |
Proprietary platform, Web-based | Proprietary platform |
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Average Trading Cost EUR/USD |
1.3 pips | 0.7 pips |
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Average Trading Cost GBP/USD |
1.7 pips | 1.1 pips |
|
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil |
– | $0.05 |
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Average Trading Cost Gold |
– | $0.30 |
|
Retail Loss Rate |
82.00% | 79.90% |
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Minimum Raw Spreads |
Not applicable | Not applicable |
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Minimum Standard Spreads |
Not applicable | 0.6 pips |
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Minimum Commission for Forex |
Commission-free | Commission-free |
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Islamic Account |
Yes | Yes |
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Signals |
No | Yes |
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US Persons Accepted? |
Yes | No |
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Managed Accounts |
No | No |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Features and Platforms
|
MT4 |
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MT5 |
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MT4/MT5 Add-Ons |
No | No |
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cTrader |
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Proprietary Platform |
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Automated Trading |
No | Yes |
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Social/Copy Trading |
No | No |
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DOM? |
No | Yes |
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Guaranteed Stop Loss |
Yes | No |
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Scalping |
No | Yes |
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Hedging |
No | Yes |
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One-Click Trading |
No | Yes |
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OCO Orders |
No | No |
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Interest on Margin |
No | No |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Available Markets
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Currency Pairs |
Yes | No |
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Cryptocurrencies |
Yes | No |
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Commodities |
Yes | Yes |
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Crude Oil |
Yes | Yes |
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Gold |
Yes | Yes |
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Metals |
Yes | Yes |
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Equity Indices |
Yes | Yes |
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Stocks (non-CFDs) |
No | No |
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Bonds |
No | Yes |
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ETFs |
Yes | Yes |
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Options |
Yes | No |
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Futures |
No | No |
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Synthetics |
No | No |
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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 |
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Withdrawal Fee |
No | No |
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Inactivity Fee |
$10 monthly after 3 months | N/A |
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Security and Trust
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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 |
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Name of the Regulator |
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS | ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
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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 |
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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.