Plus500 Review 2025: Fees, Platform, Pros & Cons

79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider

Plus500 is one of the most recognizable names in the global online trading landscape, specializing in Contracts for Difference (CFDs). Founded in 2008, the broker has built its reputation on a proprietary trading platform, developed in-house to be intuitive and accessible.

What sets Plus500 apart is its robust corporate and regulatory framework. Plus500 Ltd is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: PLUS), a status that imposes strict financial transparency obligations.

But who is this broker really for? And how does it stack up against competitors in terms of costs and tools? In this comprehensive review, we objectively examine Plus500’s offering – from its platform to its regulatory setup – to understand whether it’s the right choice for your trading needs.

Plus500 Authorizations and Regulation: A Multi-Jurisdiction Broker

When you entrust your capital to an intermediary, the first and most important check is its reputation and regulatory structure. On this front, Plus500 presents a top-tier profile.

Stock Exchange Listing: A Signal of Transparency

A key differentiator is the public nature of the parent company, Plus500 Ltd, which – as noted – is listed on a major exchange.

This isn’t a mere biographical note. Being listed on one of the world’s leading stock markets entails rigorous requirements for financial transparency and corporate governance. Plus500 must regularly publish financial statements, quarterly and annual reports, and disclose sensitive metrics such as active customer numbers and operating performance. This public transparency is a meaningful safeguard for investors.

A Patchwork of Licenses: FCA, CySEC, ASIC, EFSA and More

Plus500 does not rely on a single license; it operates with a multi-jurisdiction approach. It maintains several subsidiaries worldwide, each authorized and supervised by its local financial authority. This means the broker must comply with different, stringent regulatory standards in each country where it operates.

The main regulatory bodies supervising Plus500 include:

• Plus500EE AS is authorised and regulated by the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority (Licence No. 4.1-1/18).
• Plus500UK Ltd authorized & regulated by the FCA (#509909).
• Plus500CY Ltd authorized & regulated by CySEC (#250/14).
• Plus500SG Pte Ltd, licensed by the MAS (#CMS100648-1).
• Plus500SEY Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (Licence No. SD039).
• Plus500AU Pty Ltd (ACN 153301681), licensed by:
• ASIC in Australia, AFSL #417727, Derivatives issuer licence (FSP No. 486026) in New Zealand for NZ clients, issued by the FMA;
• Authorised Financial Services Provider in South Africa, FSP #47546.

Please note that Plus500 is a CFD platform, and therefore by nature when trading CFDs you do not own and have no rights to the underlying assets. Please consider whether you fall within our target market distribution. Please refer to the disclosure documents available on the website.

Additional licenses include Dubai (DFSA) and Israel (ISA) creating a global oversight network.

Client Protection Measures for Retail Traders

Compliance with stringent regimes such as ESMA (EU) and the UK’s FCA translates into concrete safeguards for retail traders.

1. Segregated Accounts:

All client funds are held in segregated bank accounts, fully separated from the broker’s operational funds. This means that even in the unlikely event of Plus500 experiencing financial distress, client capital remains protected and cannot be used by the company for other purposes.

2. Negative Balance Protection:

For all retail accounts, Plus500 provides mandatory negative balance protection. This is crucial when trading with leverage: it ensures a trader cannot lose more than the amount deposited in their account. The maximum loss is limited to the available balance.

3. Compensation Schemes:

Depending on the jurisdiction, clients may be protected by different investor compensation schemes.
For example:

• Clients under CySEC (Europe) are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000.
• Clients under the UK’s FCA are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000.
• Clients under the Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority (EFSA) — Plus500EE AS — are members of the Investment Guarantee Sectoral Fund under the Estonian Guarantee Fund (Tagatisfond).

In addition, all retail and professional accounts benefit from Negative Balance Protection, ensuring that traders cannot lose more than their deposited capital.

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Plus500 Trading Platforms: The Broker’s Proprietary Ecosystem

Plus500 made a deliberate strategic choice: instead of offering third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 or 5, it has spent years investing in and refining its own trading ecosystem. This choice has pros and cons, but it defines the entire user experience.

The absence of MT4/MT5 means Plus500 is not suitable for traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic trading. The platform is a closed system.

WebTrader: The Heart of the Platform

WebTrader is Plus500’s primary platform, accessible directly from any modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) with no download or installation required.

Design takes center stage: the interface is clean, well-organized, and built to be highly intuitive. While CFD trading is inherently complex, WebTrader reduces technical friction, enabling traders to find instruments, analyze charts, and place orders quickly.

From a technical standpoint, the platform offers:

• Over 100 technical indicators.
• 12 different chart types (candles, bars, Heikin-Ashi, etc.).
• Multiple timeframes, from 1 minute to 1 week.
• Drawing tools for chart analysis.
• A customizable layout with light and dark themes.

Stability is another strong point: being developed in-house, the platform provides fast execution and solid responsiveness even during periods of high market volatility.

Mobile App: Trading on the Go

Many users find the Plus500 mobile app (iOS and Android) even better than the desktop version for responsiveness and design. The app mirrors the full functionality of WebTrader, with seamless synchronization across devices.

Watchlists, open positions, pending orders, and even chart configurations sync instantly. Highlights include:

• Optimized Interface: A touch-friendly design that makes chart zooming and panning smooth.
• Advanced Push Notifications: A full alert system for price moves, stop/profit triggers, calendar events, and even corporate actions.
• Security: Support for biometric authentication (Face ID, fingerprint) and 2FA.

Store ratings are high: 4.3/5 on Google Play (with over 105,000 reviews) and 4.6/5 on Apple’s App Store, reflecting the app’s quality.

Exclusive Features: +Insights and Multi-Chart View

Within the platform, Plus500 offers some unique, proprietary analytical tools.

+Insights: Community Sentiment

This is perhaps the most innovative feature. +Insights is a tool that analyzes, in real time, aggregated and anonymized data from Plus500’s large client base (over 130,000 active traders).

The tool displays:

• The most traded instruments.
• The percentage of traders with “Buy” (bullish) vs “Sell” (bearish) positions on each asset.
• Which instruments are generating the highest profits or losses across the community.

These data points can be used as a source of trade ideas, as confirmation for one’s own analysis, or – for more advanced traders – as a contrarian indicator.

Multi-Chart View

For those who need to monitor multiple markets simultaneously, WebTrader offers a powerful multi-chart feature that allows up to 25 charts to be displayed at once in a single layout. Each chart is independent and can have different timeframes, indicators, and drawing tools, enabling complex market analysis (e.g., studying cross-asset correlations).

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Who Is Plus500 For? Trader Profiles

Plus500 is not a “one-size-fits-all” broker. Its philosophy and technology make it ideal for some trading styles, and clearly unsuitable for others.

Ideal Target: Occasional Traders and Swing Traders

Plus500 excels when used for occasional trading, swing trading, and position-style investing.

• Occasional Traders (Rating: 5/5): For those who enter the market sporadically without the need to trade daily. The intuitive platform and unlimited demo reduce tech friction and let you practice without pressure.
• Day Trading (Rating: 4/5): Day trading is generally more suitable for experienced users who prefer short-term exposure. While spreads may vary depending on the instrument, Plus500’s fast execution and wide range of CFDs can support this trading style. However, as with any short-term strategy, careful risk management and awareness of trading costs remain essential.

Who It’s NOT For: Scalping, Day Trading, and Automated Trading

It’s important to be clear about who should not use Plus500.

• Scalping (Rating: 1/5 – Strongly Discouraged): Scalping (opening and closing dozens or hundreds of trades per day for a few pips) is forbidden with Plus500.
• Swing Traders (Rating: 2/5): For positions held over several days, swing trading may be less suitable due to overnight funding fees that can accumulate over time. Plus500 provides a wide range of instruments and over 100 technical indicators for market analysis, but active monitoring remains essential to manage risk effectively.
• Automated Trading (Rating: 1/5 – Not Supported): As noted, Plus500 does not support any form of automated trading. There’s no support for Expert Advisors (EAs), algorithmic APIs, or third-party platforms like MT4/MT5 or cTrader.
• Copy Trading (Rating: 1/5 – Not Available): The broker doesn’t offer social or copy trading features. Those looking for this should consider specialized alternatives.

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Tradable Instruments: CFDs Only

Plus500’s lineup is broad, with over 2,800 instruments available. It’s crucial to stress that on the main platform these are exclusively Contracts for Difference (CFDs).

This means the trader never owns the underlying asset (whether a stock, a barrel of oil, or a cryptocurrency). Instead, they enter into a contract with the broker to speculate on the price difference between opening and closing the position.

The CFD range covers nearly every market:

1. Forex CFDs

Plus500 offers CFDs on 70+ currency pairs.

• Majors: Highly liquid pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY.
• Minors: Crosses such as EUR/GBP, GBP/JPY, AUD/NZD.
• Exotics: Emerging-market currencies like USD/TRY (Turkish lira), USD/ZAR (South African rand), USD/MXN (Mexican peso). The Forex market is available 24/5.

2. Stock CFDs

One of the largest categories, with CFDs on 2,000+ equities from major markets worldwide.

• United States (NYSE & NASDAQ): Names like Apple, Amazon, Tesla, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and more.
• Europe: Listings from Italy (Ferrari, ENI, Intesa Sanpaolo), Germany (Volkswagen, Siemens), France (LVMH), and others.
• United Kingdom: Leading FTSE 100 constituents.
• Asia and Australia: Listings from Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia. When holding a stock CFD, you may receive (on long) or pay (on short) adjustments reflecting dividend payments.

3. Index CFDs

Trade the performance of an entire basket of equities. Coverage includes major global indices:

• USA 500 (S&P 500), US-TECH 100 (NASDAQ 100), Wall Street 30 (Dow Jones).
• Germany 40 (DAX), Italy 40 (FTSE MIB), France 40 (CAC), UK 100 (FTSE 100), Euro Stoxx 50.
• Japan (Nikkei 225), Hong Kong (Hang Seng), and Australia (ASX 200).

4. Commodity CFDs

A wide selection of commodity CFDs:

• Energy: Brent Crude (Oil) and WTI (Light Sweet Crude), Natural Gas.
• Precious Metals: Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium.
• Industrial Metals: Copper.
• Agricultural: Wheat, Coffee, Sugar, Cocoa, Soybeans.

5. Crypto CFDs

Plus500 offers CFDs on 15+ leading cryptocurrencies, letting you speculate on price moves without holding a digital wallet. Coverage includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Cardano, Solana, and more. A unique advantage is that crypto CFDs are often available 24/7, following the underlying market.

6. ETF and Options CFDs

The lineup also includes hundreds of ETF CFDs and—distinctively—Call and Put Options CFDs. These are complex instruments suited to experienced traders, allowing speculation on option price moves without purchasing the actual option contracts.

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Fee Structure: How Does Plus500 Earn?

Understanding the cost structure is essential. Plus500 uses an apparently simple model: no direct transaction fees to open or close CFD positions.

The broker earns primarily through the spread and other ancillary charges.

1. The Spread: The Main Cost

The spread is the difference between an instrument’s ask (buy) and bid (sell) prices. This cost is built directly into quoted prices.

Plus500’s spreads are variable, meaning they can widen or narrow depending on market liquidity and volatility.

• Positioning: Generally, Plus500’s spreads are considered wider than the industry average, especially on Forex. For example, EUR/USD averages around 0.8 pips, and GBP/USD around 1.2 pips (tested February 2025).
• However, on some indices (like DAX 40), spreads can be more competitive. On stock CFDs, spreads are wider, but unlike many competitors, Plus500 does not apply per-trade minimum commissions.
• Verdict on Spreads: Transparent (what you see is what you pay), but potentially costly for very active traders. For occasional or swing traders, the impact is more limited.

2. Overnight Financing (Swap)

This cost matters for those holding positions overnight. CFDs are leveraged products, and the broker “finances” the position beyond market close. For this service, a daily overnight financing cost is charged (or sometimes credited).

The cost is calculated daily and varies by instrument, direction (Long or Short), and current interest rates. Plus500’s swap rates are broadly in line with the industry average. The daily financing rate is visible in each instrument’s “Details” tab on the platform.

3. Inactivity and Other Ancillary Fees

Other fees to be aware of are summarized below:

Fee Type	Description and Amount
Inactivity Fee	A fee of up to $10 per month. Applies only if you do not log in to your account for 3 consecutive months. To avoid it, log in at least once every 3 months.
Currency Conversion Fee	Applied when trading an instrument denominated in a currency different from your account currency (e.g., trading US stocks with an EUR account). The fee can be up to 0.7% on the trade’s P&L.
Guaranteed Stop Order	Plus500 offers a Guaranteed Stop Loss that ensures execution at the exact requested price, even in the event of a market gap. There is no fixed fee, but an increased spread is applied to the trade.

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Plus500 Account Types: Demo, Standard, and Professional

Plus500 offers a streamlined account structure focused on three main options.

1. The Free, Unlimited Demo Account

This is one of Plus500’s strongest points.

• Free and Unlimited: No time limit, unlike many competitors that cap demos at 15–30 days.
• No Risk: Preloaded with €40,000 (or equivalent) in virtual funds, which can be topped up if depleted.
• Real-World Conditions: Uses real-time quotes and simulates actual market spreads.
• Easy Access: Only an email and password are required; no bank details or identity verification to start.

It’s ideal for beginners to learn and for experienced traders to test the platform before depositing.

2. The Standard (Retail) Account

The primary account for the vast majority of traders.

• Minimum Deposit: To activate a live account, the minimum is 100 €/£/$/AU$ (or €100 or equivalent).
• Maximum Leverage (ESMA/FCA): For retail clients in Europe and the UK, leverage is capped by regulation:
  • 1:30 for major Forex pairs.
  • 1:20 for main Indices, Gold, and minor Forex pairs.
  • 1:10 for other Commodities.
  • 1:5 for Stock CFDs.
  • 1:2 for Crypto CFDs.
• Safeguards: Includes mandatory negative balance protection.

3. The Professional Account (for Qualified Clients)

High-volume or proven-experience traders may request a Professional Account. In Europe, you must meet at least 2 of the following 3 criteria:

1. Trading Activity: At least 10 significant-size trades per quarter over the last 4 quarters.
2. Portfolio: A financial instruments portfolio (including cash) over €500,000.
3. Experience: At least one year working in the financial sector in a relevant position.

Benefits:

• Higher Leverage: Access to substantially higher leverage, up to 1:300 on Forex.

Drawbacks and Risks:

• Negative Balance Protection: both retail and professional clients benefit from this safeguard, meaning they cannot lose more than the funds deposited in their account. However, trading CFDs remains a high-risk activity that may not be suitable for all investors.
• Fewer Safeguards: Some ESMA protections for retail clients no longer apply.
• No Compensation Scheme: Generally, pro accounts aren’t covered by ICF/FSCS schemes.

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Additional Services: Plus500Invest for Real Stocks

It’s important to distinguish the core CFD offering from a separate service launched in some jurisdictions: Plus500Invest*.

This service does not involve CFDs; it allows the purchase and holding of real shares.

Key Differences Between Plus500 CFD and Plus500 Invest*:

Feature	Plus500 CFD	Plus500 Invest*
Asset Type	Contracts for Difference (Derivatives)	Real Stocks
Ownership	No actual ownership of the asset	Actual share ownership
Leverage	Yes (up to 1:30 retail, 1:5 on stocks)	No leverage
Short Selling	Yes	No
Dividends	P&L adjustments	Actual dividend payments
Costs	Spread + Overnight financing	Transaction fees (variable)
Demo Account	Available	Not available

Plus500Invest* targets a different audience: the long-term investor looking to build a traditional equity portfolio, receive dividends, and benefit from real ownership.

*Plus500Invest is available only under certain jurisdictions and regulatory entities. Availability may vary depending on the client’s country of residence.

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Plus500 Deposits and Withdrawals: Methods, Timing, and Limits

Funding on Plus500 is transparent and straightforward. The broker does not charge its own fees on most transactions, though limits apply.

How to Deposit Funds

Plus500 offers several deposit methods, with a minimum of €100 (or equivalent).

• Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): Instant processing. Funds are available immediately.
• E-Wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller): Instant processing.
• Bank Transfer: Usually credited within 1 – 3 business days.

Plus500 does not charge deposit fees.

How to Withdraw Funds

For anti-money-laundering reasons, withdrawals are processed using the same method used for deposit where possible.

Processing Times:

1. Internal Review: Plus500 processes withdrawal requests within 1–2 business days.
2. Arrival Time: After approval, timing depends on method:
   • E-wallets: 1-2 business days.
   • Credit/debit cards: 3-5 business days.
   • Bank transfer: 3-7 business days.

Withdrawal Fees:

Withdrawals are generally free, with exceptions:

• Up to 5 free withdrawals per month.
• From the 6th withdrawal onward, a $10 fee applies.
• A $10 fee applies to withdrawals under €100.

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Opening a Plus500 Account: Step-by-Step

Opening an account with Plus500 is fully online, designed to be quick and efficient. The entire process can be completed in roughly 24 hours – the time needed to verify documents.

Step 1: Initial Registration

This first step takes only a few minutes. Visit the official website, click “Start Trading,” and enter an email and password. This immediately activates the Demo Account.

Step 2: KYC Questionnaire

To move to a live account and deposit funds, you must complete the mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure required of all regulated brokers.

You’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire including:

• Personal details (name, date of birth, address).
• Financial information (occupation, source of funds, estimated wealth).
• Assessment of trading experience (number of trades, instruments used).
• Objectives and risk tolerance.

It’s essential to answer honestly. The broker uses this to assess the client’s suitability for complex products like CFDs.

Step 3: Identity Verification

The final step is document verification. Plus500 will ask you to upload:

1. Proof of Identity: A photo or scan of a valid document (ID card, passport, or driver’s license).
2. Proof of Address: A recent document (no older than 3 months) confirming your address (utility bill, bank statement).

Documents can be uploaded directly through the platform, including via smartphone photos. Plus500’s compliance team typically reviews them within 24 hours. Once approved, the account is fully active and enabled for deposits.

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Plus500 Research and Education: The Trading Academy

In recent years, Plus500 has invested in improving its educational resources, though it still trails the top education-focused brokers. Materials are grouped in the Trading Academy.

Educational Content

The content is primarily aimed at beginners and intermediate traders:

• eBook “Trading with Plus500”: A complete guide covering CFD basics, key terminology (leverage, margin, spread), basic charting, and risk management.
• Video Tutorials (Trader’s Guide): A set of 15 short videos explaining platform features, how to use alerts, how margin works, and how to interpret +Insights.
• Articles (Beginner’s Guide): 30+ articles delving into strategies, trading psychology, technical analysis (moving averages, RSI), and fundamental analysis.
• Webinars: Periodic webinars – often in partnership with external academies such as Corellian Academy – covering more advanced topics.

Despite a solid base, advanced structured courses, premium real-time newsfeeds (e.g., Reuters or Dow Jones), and an integrated community/forum are lacking.

Analytical Tools (Economic Calendar)

A particularly useful built-in tool is the Economic Calendar. Beyond listing upcoming macroeconomic releases (interest rates, inflation, GDP), it has a unique feature: for each event, it shows a list of related trading instruments.

For example, ahead of a Fed rate decision, the calendar will automatically surface the most affected assets, such as EUR/USD, the S&P 500, and Gold.

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Plus500 Customer Support: 24/7 via Chat and Email

Responsive support is essential. Plus500 provides full customer support 24/7, in multiple languages (including Italian).

There are two contact channels:

1. Live Chat: The primary channel. Accessible in WebTrader and the mobile app, typically responding within minutes. Agents are generally knowledgeable and able to resolve most issues.
2. Email: Best for more complex matters or when attachments are needed; responses typically within 24 hours.

What’s Missing: Phone Support

Plus500 has made a deliberate choice not to offer phone support. This ensures all communications are traceable and response times are optimized via chat. However, for users who prefer direct voice contact, this can be a limitation.

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Plus500 User Opinions and Reviews

User reviews offer a real-world snapshot of the broker experience.

What Reviews Say (Trustpilot, App Stores)

On Trustpilot, Plus500 maintains a positive 4.2/5 score across 17,300+ reviews (data November 2025). 77% of reviewers rate the broker 4 or 5 stars.

What users like (Positive Reviews):

• Intuitive Platform: The most common compliment – clean interface and functional layout.
• Deposits & Withdrawals: Frequent praise for speed and reliability.
• Customer Support: Live chat often described as quick and effective.
• Mobile App: Consistently praised for stability and features.

What users criticize (Negative Reviews):

• Wide Spreads: The most frequent complaint, particularly on Forex.
• Overnight Costs: Some users find overnight financing expensive.
• No Phone Support: Often cited as a downside.
• Inactivity Fee: $10 after only 3 months without login is seen as steep by some.

Note that many negative reviews come from traders who lost money. This is an inherent risk of CFD trading, not an indicator of the broker’s legitimacy.

Sports Sponsorships (Updated %year%)

Plus500 has built strong brand recognition through high-profile sports sponsorships. Previously a partner of clubs like Atlético Madrid and Atalanta, current partnerships include:

• Chicago Bulls (NBA)
• Legia Warsaw (Poland)
• BSC Young Boys (Switzerland)

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Final Verdict: Plus500’s Strengths and Limitations

After an in-depth analysis, here’s the bottom line. Plus500 is an excellent broker for its specific target – but it has clear limits for others.

Plus500 is a good fit for:

• Beginners: Thanks to the unlimited demo and an intuitive platform that reduces tech intimidation.
• Occasional Traders: Those making a few trades per month who value a fee structure without per-transaction charges.
• Swing Traders: When it comes to swing trading, traders choosing this strategy should keep in mind the overnight funding costs, which can accumulate over time and potentially reduce overall profits.
• Investors (with Plus500Invest): Those looking for a separate, long-term real-stock service.
• Reputation-Seekers: Traders who prioritize working with a listed, multi-regulated broker.

Plus500 is NOT a good fit for:

• Algorithmic Traders: No MT4/MT5, no EAs, and no APIs make it unusable for automated trading.
• Copy Traders: No social or copy trading features.
• Those Seeking Advanced Education: Educational resources are basic compared to market leaders.

Summary: Pros and Cons

Strengths (Pros)	Areas to Improve (Cons)
Generally smooth deposits and withdrawals with no broker fees	Spreads generally wider than competitors, especially on Forex
Proprietary platform (Web/App) that’s extremely intuitive and stable	No support for MetaTrader (MT4/MT5) or third-party platforms
Parent company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE)	Not suitable for Scalping/Day Trading or Automated Trading (EAs)
Free, unlimited demo account	Inactivity fee after only 3 months without login
Wide range of 2,800+ CFDs across markets	Customer support via Chat/Email only; no phone support
24/7 fast, multilingual support	Basic education resources relative to top competitors
	No Copy Trading or Social features

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❓ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Plus500