Comparison of Plus500 and Trading 212
| Feature | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Instant | Instant |
| Regulation | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
| Platforms | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
| Spread | ⮕ Average | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| 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 | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £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) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | Plus500 Review | Trading 212 Review |
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
About Trading 212
Trading 212 is a reputable online broker established in 2004, offering a versatile platform that caters to both CFD and direct share trading. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and intuitive mobile application, Trading 212 provides access to a broad spectrum of financial instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Operating as a Market Maker (MM), the broker ensures competitive spreads and seamless trade executions, complemented by features such as a free demo account for practice, zero-commission trading on Invest accounts, and the ability to trade fractional shares. Regulated by esteemed authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, Trading 212 prioritizes security and transparency. Additionally, it offers a suite of educational resources and real-time news feeds to empower traders with informed decision-making tools. However, its Market Maker model and limited advanced trading functionalities may not fully meet the demands of professional traders seeking direct market access and more sophisticated analytical tools.
Pros
- Intuitive interface and mobile app suitable for all experience levels
- Offers both CFD and direct share (Invest) trading across various asset classes
- No fees on Invest accounts, making it cost-effective for long-term investors
- Ability to trade fractional shares, allowing for greater investment flexibility
- Free practice account available to hone trading skills without financial risk
- Attractive spreads and flexible leverage options enhance trading efficiency
- Licensed by reputable authorities such as the FCA, ensuring a secure trading environment
Cons
- Potential conflicts of interest as the broker acts as the counterparty to trades
- Lacks some of the sophisticated trading tools and analytics preferred by professional traders
- Customer service may not always meet the expectations of all users
- Withdrawal processing can sometimes be slower than desired
- Fewer interactive educational sessions compared to other brokers
Plus500 & Trading 212 Regulation
| Feature | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Plus500CY Ltd, Plus500UK Ltd, Plus500AU Pty Ltd, Plus500SEY Ltd, Plus500EE, Plus500SG Pte Ltd, Plus500US Ltd | Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd. |
Countries | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus |
Regulators | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | CFD | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Instant | Instant |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 100% | 25% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 45% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 3 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 65 | 31 |
Indices | 36 | 30 |
Stocks | 1550 | 3000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 0 | 0 |
Bonds | 0 | 100 |
Metals | 5 | 8 |
Energies | 7 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 10 | 23 |
ETFs | 96 | 50 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | Plus500 | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@plus500.com | info@trading212.com |
Facebook | ||
YouTube | — | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Plus500 and Trading 212, 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.