Comparison of CommSec and Plus500
| Feature | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1995 | 2008 |
| Broker Type | DMA | MM |
| Dealing | A-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | ASIC | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA |
| Platforms | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket | Plus500 |
| Spread | ⮕ Average | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:10 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Base Currencies | AUD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD |
| Funding Methods | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | $10 per month after 3 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✔ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | - | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
| Protection Size | - | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✖ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✔ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✖ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✖ | ✖ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Shares, ETFs, options, managed funds, margin lending | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | CommSec Review | Plus500 Review |
About CommSec
CommSec is Australia’s largest online stockbroker and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank. Founded in 1995, it offers direct market access to the ASX plus 13 international exchanges, $0 account-keeping fees, tiered brokerage from A$5 per trade, and integrated banking via the CDIA settlement account. Clients can trade on desktop or via the CommSec and Pocket mobile apps, access Morningstar research, and finance portfolios through a margin-loan facility. Regulated by ASIC, CommSec is CHESS-sponsored for Australian equities, but accounts are available only to Australian residents.
Pros
- ASIC-regulated, backed by Commonwealth Bank
- Intuitive mobile app
- CHESS sponsorship for ASX shares
- Access to 13 global markets
- Integrated CDIA cash account with fast settlement
- Comprehensive research & Morningstar data
Cons
- Available only to Australian residents
- Higher brokerage than new discount brokers
- No MT4/MT5 or cryptocurrency trading
- No negative-balance protection
- Limited derivative line-up (no CFDs/FX)
About Plus500
Plus500 is a leading CFD broker known for its simple and intuitive trading platform. Founded in 2008 and regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), Plus500 provides a secure trading environment with access to a wide range of instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, shares, and ETFs. The broker is particularly praised for its user-friendly web and mobile platforms, which offer a streamlined trading experience without unnecessary complexity. While Plus500 excels in providing competitive spreads and no commission fees, it does not support third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, which may deter traders who rely on advanced charting and automated trading tools. Additionally, educational resources are somewhat limited compared to competitors, making it less ideal for traders seeking in-depth learning materials. Despite these drawbacks, Plus500 remains a popular choice for traders who prioritize ease of use and access to diverse trading instruments.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC)
- Simple and intuitive proprietary trading platform
- Wide range of tradable instruments, including forex, stocks, and commodities
- Competitive spreads and no commission on trades
- User-friendly mobile app with real-time notifications
- Free and unlimited demo account for practice
Cons
- No support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Limited educational resources for beginner traders
- Inactivity fees for dormant accounts
- No phone-based customer support; only live chat and email
CommSec & Plus500 Regulation
| Feature | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Commonwealth Securities Ltd | Plus500CY Ltd, Plus500UK Ltd, Plus500AU Pty Ltd, Plus500SEY Ltd, Plus500EE, Plus500SG Pte Ltd, Plus500US Ltd |
Countries | Australia | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
Regulators | ASIC | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA |
Investor Protection | - | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
Investor Protection Size | - | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | — | CFD |
| Min Deposit | — | $100 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Instant |
| Min Spread | — | 0.6 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | — | 100% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) | — |
| Min Deposit | $1 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 1 | — |
| Fee | $10 per 1 lot | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:1 | — |
| Stop Out | - | — |
| Margin Call | - | — |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | AUD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 3 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket | Plus500 |
Execution Speed | 3 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 0 | 65 |
Indices | 0 | 36 |
Stocks | 2200 | 1550 |
Cryptocurrencies | 0 | 0 |
Bonds | 0 | 0 |
Metals | 0 | 5 |
Energies | 0 | 7 |
Soft Commodities | 0 | 10 |
ETFs | 200 | 96 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | CommSec | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Email | hoax@cba.com.au | support@plus500.com |
Phone | +61283971206 | — |
Facebook | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | — |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing CommSec and Plus500, Plus500 comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.