
Plus500 offers a streamlined spread-only trading environment through its proprietary platform, backed by tier-1 regulation across multiple jurisdictions.
Spreads from
1 pips
Commission
$0 (spread-only)
Min deposit
$65
Established
2008
Regulated by
FCA · ASIC · CySEC · MAS (Singapore) · JFSA (Japan) · FSCA (South Africa) · DFSA (Dubai) · SCB (Bahamas) · FSA Seychelles · FMA (New Zealand)
Written byLaverlane Team·Updated6 Oct 2026
Researched with AI assistance and verified by our editors
Regulation
Plus500 holds tier-1 licences across key jurisdictions to deliver strong regulatory oversight.
Is Plus500 legit? It is a regulated broker: Plus500UK Ltd holds authorisation from the FCA under FRN 509909, Is Plus500 legit? It is a regulated broker: Plus500UK Ltd holds authorisation from the FCA under FRN 509909, while retail traders in the European Economic Area (EEA) register through Plus500CY Ltd, which is licensed by CySEC. If you're outside its core Tier 1 regions, you'll usually open your account with a regional entity instead.
As a parent entity listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, corporate governance and financial disclosures adhere to public reporting standards. We scored this section lower than the licences alone would suggest because we have not independently verified Plus500's enforcement history and several of the group's licences sit with lower-tier regulators.
Key facts
A long operating history and public stock listing distinguish Plus500 from private margin brokers.
Client-facing entity
Plus500UK Ltd
Regulators
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS (Singapore), JFSA (Japan), FSCA (South Africa), DFSA (Dubai), SCB (Bahamas), FSA Seychelles, FMA (New Zealand)
Restricted countries
US, BE, IR, SY, KP
Negative-balance protection
jurisdiction-only
Minimum deposit
$65
Max leverage (UK/EU retail)
1:30
Max leverage (Australia)
1:30
Max leverage (offshore entity)
1:300
Max leverage (professional)
1:300
Typical EUR/USD spread
1 pips
Platforms
Proprietary
Account currencies
USD, EUR, GBP
Founded in 2008, Plus500 has expanded into a global financial technology provider serving active derivative markets. Operating as a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker PLUS provides clients with transparent financial reporting. This long track record under strict public scrutiny offers operational stability compared to non-regulated, offshore providers.
Best for
Pros & cons
Fund safety
Client balances remain segregated from corporate funds under strict statutory protection rules.
Retail balances handled by Plus500UK Ltd carry protection up to GBP 85,000 under the FSCS scheme, whereas Plus500CY Ltd client deposits fall under the Cypriot ICF capped at EUR 20,000. All client money stays held in segregated bank accounts isolated from corporate operational funds.
Negative balance protection applies to retail accounts under certain regulated entities and jurisdictions, so clients should check which protections apply to their contracting entity. We scored this section below the maximum because two of the four entities listed carry no compensation scheme, so your protection depends on which entity you contract with.
Account terms
Account terms offer transparent operational rules alongside a strict inactivity fee timeline.
Plus500 charges an inactivity fee of up to USD 10 per month after an account has had no login for three months. Dealing terms outline standard market maker operations with transparent risk management rules. Requote policies ensure orders process without price re-quotes, though trades execute at prevailing market prices during high volatility.
Costs
Pricing follows a spread-only structure without separate per-lot execution fees.
EUR/USD spreads were around 1.0 pip on the Plus500 instrument page when we checked on 6 October 2026, presenting a competitive option for commission-free derivative trading. Holding overnight positions incurs variable overnight funding; the exact rate for each instrument is shown in the platform. Additional non-trading costs remain low, with zero deposit fees and no charges for standard electronic withdrawals.
| Instrument | Asset class | Typical spread | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Forex CFD | 1 | pips |
| GBP/USD | Forex CFD | 1.2 | pips |
| USD/JPY | Forex CFD | 2.4 | pips |
| US 100 (Nasdaq) | Index CFD | 1.8 | points |
| US 500 (S&P 500) | Index CFD | 0.7 | points |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | Commodity CFD | 0.84 | $ / oz |
| US Crude Oil | Commodity CFD | 0.07 | $ / bbl |
Spreads shown are typical, not guaranteed, and widen during volatile sessions or outside main market hours. Figures reflect the broker's standard retail account.
Markets
Over 2,800 CFD instruments span forex, equities, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and options.
Forex CFD
60 pairs
Index CFD
30 indices
Commodity CFD
Metals, energies, softs
Single-Stock CFD
2000 shares
Crypto CFD
Available ✓ · Weekend trading ✓
Real ownership: Stocks / ETFs
Stocks, ETFs
Traders can access extensive global equity markets, including major shares across the US, UK, and European exchanges. The instrument coverage extends to market indices, energy, precious metals, and weekend cryptocurrency trading. Bitcoin on Plus500 is traded as a CFD rather than as the coin itself, and cryptocurrency CFDs are not available to UK retail clients. Direct share ownership options are also offered in select European regions alongside standard leveraged derivatives.
Platforms
Trading executes through an intuitive proprietary WebTrader and native mobile applications.
The custom Plus500 WebTrader platform integrates financial charts, risk management tools, and real-time market alerts within an uncluttered layout. The iOS and Android apps let you manage your account on the go. However, the software operates as a closed ecosystem, offering no support for MT4, MT5, cTrader, or custom Expert Advisors.
Execution
Orders route through an internal market-making model without ECN execution stats.
Plus500 acts as the principal counterparty to client transactions using an internal dealing desk execution model. This setup enables competitive spread pricing without charging added commissions per lot. Execution speed remains fast for manual orders, though detailed slippage metrics and ECN order-book depth are not publicly published.
Leverage
Leverage limits comply strictly with local regulatory ceilings across regional entities.
Retail accounts registered under UK, European, and Australian entities face a maximum leverage cap of 1:30 for major currency pairs. The Plus500SEY entity operates under different rules, so check the leverage limit in your own contract before you trade. Professional clients who waive specific regulatory protections can access leverage up to 1:300 upon qualifying. Positions are closed automatically when your equity falls to 50% of the margin required to hold them, which helps limit retail account drawdowns.
Leverage magnifies both gains and losses, so a small market move can quickly wipe out your margin. CFDs are complex instruments, and Plus500's own website states that 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider (checked 5 October 2026).
Account types
A unified Standard account provides complete instrument access without account tier confusion.
| Account | Min deposit | Commission | Swap | Spread | Demo | Islamic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $65 | Spread-only | Variable overnight funding (see platform) | From 1 pips · Variable | Yes | Not stated |
Plus500 avoids multi-tier deposit requirements by offering a single Standard account structure for all retail clients. The minimum deposit depends on the payment method and is shown on the platform’s funds screen. The account gives you access to all 2,800 markets under spread-only pricing. A Plus500 demo account is also available, so you can practise before you put in any real money. Professional traders can request account reclassification to access higher leverage tiers.
Funding
Deposits and withdrawals process without internal broker fees across major payment methods.
Fund transfers support bank wire, major credit cards, PayPal, and Skrill with zero internal processing charges. Plus500 says withdrawals are normally processed within 1-3 business days, although when the money reaches you depends on the payment method. Each payment method has its own minimum deposit, shown on the platform’s funds screen.
Support
Customer support operates 24/7 via live chat, email, and WhatsApp messaging.
Multilingual support coverage runs around the clock seven days a week, benefiting traders active in weekend crypto markets. Assistance is available through instant live chat, WhatsApp, and email ticket routing. An extensive online help centre covers common operational questions regarding deposits, platform features, and verification.
Availability
It's available in many parts of the world, but not in restricted countries such as the United States.
Plus500 accepts clients across the UK, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia and South America under its regional entity licences. Due to local derivative restrictions, residents of the US, Belgium and the Canadian province of Quebec cannot open trading accounts, while the rest of Canada is served by the CIRO-regulated Plus500CA Ltd. Traders must verify whether local laws permit retail derivative contracts before completing registration.
Verdict
Plus500 is a publicly listed CFD provider that keeps client money in segregated accounts and makes it simple for retail traders to access a wide range of markets. Its spread-only pricing keeps trading costs simple, although overnight financing and the inactivity fee still apply, and it covers over 2,800 instruments. However, the strict reliance on custom software without MetaTrader compatibility limits options for automated trading strategies. Overall, it's a good fit for retail traders who place orders manually and want to trade several asset classes through CFDs.
Choosing Plus500 depends on trading priorities. If priority lies in strong institutional oversight, clear pricing, and straightforward execution on mobile or web, the broker meets expectations. Traders requiring custom indicators, algorithmic trading capabilities, or lower inactivity windows should consider alternative ECN providers. If you are weighing eToro vs Plus500, bear in mind that Plus500 CFD accounts run only on its own WebTrader and mobile apps, with no MetaTrader or TradingView support, so check which platform you need first.
If you want a simple WebTrader experience from a publicly listed company, Plus500 is a good fit for multi-asset CFD trading. Intraday automated traders relying on Expert Advisors should look to platforms offering full API and MetaTrader support.
FAQ
Plus500 is owned by Plus500 Ltd, a financial technology company listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under ticker PLUS. The parent company operates through licensed subsidiaries across the UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia. As a listed company, it has to publish regular financial reports.
Plus500 account closure requires settling all open derivative positions and withdrawing remaining balances to zero. Once the account balance reflects zero, account holders submit a formal closure request through the support chat or web portal. Customer service confirms account deactivation via email upon processing.
Plus500 handles data deletion requests in accordance with financial regulatory record-keeping laws. Clients can request account deletion after zeroing out their balance and closing active trades. Certain transaction records remain archived for mandatory compliance retention periods despite personal profile deactivation.
Plus500's CFD accounts trade on its proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps and do not connect to TradingView. TradingView integration is offered only by Plus500US for its separate futures service, which is not available to CFD clients. Traders who need TradingView charting on a CFD account should consider a broker that supports it.
Plus500 operates as a spread-only derivative broker providing access to over 2,800 CFD markets. Clients trade price movements of underlying assets on a proprietary WebTrader without physical asset delivery. Revenue comes mainly from spreads rather than separate trade commissions.
Alternatives
Eightcap offers CFDs on 850+ markets through TradingView, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradeLocker, with a Raw account that starts from 0.0 pips. Clients outside the regulated regions contract with Eightcap Global Limited in The Bahamas, which carries no statutory compensation scheme.
Octa offers swap-free forex and CFD trading on OctaTrader, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, with no trading commission and a $25 minimum deposit. Accounts on octabroker.com are with Versustrategy Inc, registered in Saint Lucia, and the legal documents page lists no financial regulator.
JustMarkets offers leverage of up to 1:3000, swap-free trading and MT4, MT5 and its own app, but international clients contract with an offshore Seychelles entity without a statutory compensation scheme.
FXCM offers forex and CFD trading on Trading Station, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView. Accounts on the international website are with Stratos Global LLC, an offshore entity in St Vincent and the Grenadines that sits outside the group’s regulated companies.
ThinkMarkets offers ThinkTrader, TradingView, MT4 and MT5 with 4,000+ instruments and leverage of up to 1:500 on Standard and ThinkZero accounts. International clients contract with a Seychelles-licensed entity.
IronFX operates as a retail CFD broker providing high leverage up to 1:1000 on MetaTrader 4, but international clients contract through an offshore entity without statutory compensation protection.
CFI Financial offers MT5, TradingView and its own app with no minimum deposit and leverage of up to 1:500. International clients trade with CFI International Ltd, licensed in Mauritius.
EC Markets offers MT4, MT5 and its own app with a $10 minimum deposit on STD and ECN accounts and leverage of up to 1:1000. International clients trade with the Mauritius-licensed entity.
General CFD risk warning
CFDs are complex leveraged products and carry a high risk of rapid losses. They do not give you ownership of the underlying asset. Depending on your jurisdiction, broker entity and client classification, protections such as leverage limits and negative-balance protection may differ or may not apply. Where negative-balance protection is not provided, losses may exceed the funds you deposit. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.
Disclaimer
This page is provided for general information only. Nothing on this page constitutes investment, tax or trading advice, or a recommendation to open an account or trade with a particular broker. Laverlane does not provide personalised investment advice. We are not a broker or financial institution, we do not arrange or execute trades, and we do not hold client funds.
Broker availability, spreads, fees, leverage, products and legal protections, including compensation schemes and negative-balance protection, vary by the broker’s legal entity, your country of residence and your client classification, and may change over time. Where a broker is required to publish its retail CFD loss rate, that figure is shown on its review page. Spreads shown are typical figures as at our verification date; they are not guaranteed and may widen, particularly during volatile market conditions.
Laverlane Scores reflect the information available at our most recent review. They are editorial assessments, not guarantees of a broker’s financial strength, reliability or future performance. Where we report a regulator warning or enforcement notice, it reflects the official public information available at the time of our review.
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Always verify the broker’s current terms, regulatory status, product availability and eligibility directly with the broker before opening an account or depositing funds.