Summary

Plus500, founded in 2008 and LSE-listed, is regulated by 11 top-tier authorities and offers 2,800+ CFDs across multiple asset classes. Its proprietary platform is simple and mobile-friendly, with a $100 minimum deposit, fee-free transactions, and negative balance protection. Best suited for beginners and retail traders, it lacks MetaTrader, advanced tools, and phone support, which may limit appeal for professionals.

  • 11 regulatory licenses
  • LSE-listed for transparency
  • 2,800+ tradable instruments 
  • User-friendly platform
  • $100 minimum deposit 
  • No deposit/withdrawal fees
  • 24/7 multilingual support
  • Negative balance protection (retail)
  • Competitive spreads
  • Free unlimited demo
  • No MetaTrader platforms
  • No automated trading
  • No phone support 
  • 0.7% currency conversion fee
  • Inactivity fees after 3 months
  • Limited educational resources
  • No deposit bonuses
  • USA clients prohibited (Only Futures Allowed)
  • Higher spreads than some competitors (0.8 vs 0.6 pips)

Overview

Established in 2008, Plus500 has evolved into a global CFD powerhouse operating across more than 50 countries worldwide. This Israeli-founded broker has achieved remarkable growth, becoming publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) under ticker PLUS, adding an exceptional layer of transparency rarely seen in the CFD industry. With regulatory approval from 11 top-tier authorities including the FCA, ASIC, and the newly added CIRO (Canada), Plus500 demonstrates an unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance and client protection.

Plus500 overview

The broker has garnered numerous industry accolades for its innovative proprietary platform and exceptional customer service, consistently ranking among the most user-friendly CFD platforms globally. Offering over 2,800 tradable instruments across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, Plus500 caters to both novice and experienced traders seeking a streamlined trading experience without the complexity of traditional platforms like MetaTrader.

Visit plus500.com for more details.

Overview Table

Category Details
Headquarters Haifa, Israel
Year Established 2008
Regulation FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FMA, FSCA, MAS, FSA, CIRO, DFSA, ISA, EFSA
Public Listing London Stock Exchange (PLUS)
Instruments 2,800+ CFDs (Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Options, ETFs)
Platforms Proprietary WebTrader, iOS/Android Apps
Min. Deposit $100 (cards/e-wallets), $500 (bank transfer)
Spreads From 0.8 pips (EUR/USD)
Leverage Up to 1:300 (retail)
Demo Account Unlimited, Free
Customer Support 24/7 Live Chat, Email, WhatsApp

Facts List

  1. 11 regulatory licenses across major global jurisdictions ensuring maximum client protection
  2. LSE-listed company providing unparalleled transparency and financial reporting
  3. 2,800+ CFD instruments spanning seven asset classes for diversified trading
  4. Proprietary platform optimized for simplicity and mobile-first trading
  5. Competitive spreads starting from 0.8 pips on major forex pairs
  6. No commission trading on all CFD instruments
  7. Negative balance protection for retail clients preventing debt to broker
  8. 24/7 multilingual support available in 16 languages
  9. Low entry barrier with $100 minimum deposit
  10. Instant deposits via cards and e-wallets with no fees

Plus500 Licenses and Regulatory

Plus500's regulatory credentials stand as one of its strongest competitive advantages. The broker maintains licenses from 11 prestigious financial authorities worldwide, surpassing many competitors in regulatory coverage. This extensive oversight ensures client funds are segregated, operations are transparent, and trading conditions remain fair.

Regulatory Licenses Table

Regulatory Authority Jurisdiction License Number
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) United Kingdom 509909
Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) Cyprus 250/14
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Australia 417727
Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) Canada Active
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) UAE F005651
Israel Securities Authority (ISA) Israel 514666577
Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) Estonia Active
Financial Markets Authority (FMA) New Zealand 486026
Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) South Africa 47546
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Singapore CMS100648-1
Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) Seychelles SD039

Trading Instruments

Plus500 offers an impressive array of over 2,800 CFD instruments, providing traders with extensive market exposure across multiple asset classes. This diversity enables portfolio diversification and adaptation to various market conditions.

Asset Class Number of Instruments Key Features
Forex 60+ pairs Majors, minors, exotics; spreads from 0.8 pips
Stocks 1,900+ CFDs Global exchanges coverage, zero commissions
Indices 29 indices Major global markets, tight spreads
Commodities 24 instruments Metals, energy, agriculture
Cryptocurrencies Up to 19 coins Bitcoin, Ethereum, regional variations
Options Various CFDs on options for stocks/indices
ETFs 96 CFDs Sector and thematic exposure

 

Screenshot of Plus500's official website displaying tradable asstes

Trading Platforms

Plus500's proprietary platform ecosystem prioritizes accessibility and user experience over complex functionality. While lacking MetaTrader support, the platform excels in delivering a streamlined trading experience.

Platform Comparison Table

Feature WebTrader Mobile Apps MT4/MT5
Availability ✓ Browser-based ✓ iOS/Android ✗ Not offered
Charts 100+ indicators 100+ indicators N/A
Order Types Market, Limit, Stop, Guaranteed Stop Full range N/A
Automated Trading N/A
Price Alerts N/A
Sentiment Data N/A
+Insights Tool N/A

 

Screenshot of Plus500's official website displaying trading platforms

Plus500 How to Open an Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Opening a live trading account at Plus500 is a quick and fully digital process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Plus500 Account Opening Process List

  1. Visit Plus500.com and click "Start Trading Now."
  2. Enter your email and choose a strong password.
  3. Fill in the registration form with your personal details.
  4. Select your preferred trading platform: WebTrader or mobile
  5. Choose your account currency from 16 base currencies.
  6. Upload proof of identity and proof of residence documents.
  7. Answer a short trading experience questionnaire.
  8. Make a deposit using a credit card, PayPal, Skrill, or bank transfer.
  9. Start trading on your live account or practice on a demo.

Screenshot of Plus500's official website displaying Demo account opening process

Requirements

  • Personal details like name, address, date of birth
  • Proof of identity (passport, national ID card, driver's license)
  • Proof of residence (bank statement, utility bill, credit card statement)
  • Minimum deposit of $100 ($500 for wire transfer)

 

Charts and Analysis

Plus500 provides essential educational resources and market analysis tools, though the offering remains more limited compared to education-focused brokers.

Resource Description
Market Insights Daily analysis articles covering major market events
Traders' Talk Weekly video market analysis and trade ideas
Economic Calendar Comprehensive schedule of economic releases
Trader's Guide Basic strategy articles and platform tutorials
Video Tutorials Platform navigation and feature explanations
+Insights Analytics Real-time trader sentiment and positioning data

 

info graph of plus500`s charts and tools for traders.

Insights Analytics

  • Explore what other Plus500 clients are trading in real-time.
  • Discover the most popular or top-moving instruments.
  • Gauge crowd sentiment with long/short positioning data.
  • Track the most profitable and loss-making trades.
  • Filter data by asset class, region, and time period.
  • Access individual trader statistics to compare performance.

 

plus500 education courses

Plus500 Account Types

Plus500 maintains a simplified account structure, offering standard retail accounts for traders.

Account Types Comparison

 

Feature Retail Account Demo Account
Minimum Deposit $100 Free
Leverage Up to 1:300 1:300
Negative Balance Protection Yes N/A
Spreads Standard Real market
Virtual Funds N/A Unlimited

 

Negative Balance Protection

Plus500 provides comprehensive negative balance protection for retail clients, ensuring traders cannot lose more than their account balance. This crucial safety feature protects against extreme market volatility and price gaps, particularly important during major economic events or market crashes. The protection applies automatically to all retail accounts without additional terms or conditions, demonstrating Plus500's commitment to responsible trading practices.

Plus500 Deposits and Withdrawals

Plus500 offers flexible payment options with no fees charged by the broker for deposits or withdrawals.

Complete Payment Methods
Method Deposit Min/Max Withdrawal Min/Max Deposit Time Withdrawal Time Fees
Visa/Mastercard $100 / $40,000 $50 / Unlimited Instant 1-3 days Free
PayPal $100 / $40,000 $50 / Unlimited Instant 1 day Free
Skrill $100 / $40,000 $50 / Unlimited Instant 1 day Free
Bank Transfer $500 / Unlimited $50 / Unlimited 3-5 days 3-5 days Free
Klarna $100 / Varies Not available Instant N/A Free
iDEAL $100 / Varies Check availability Instant 1-3 days Free
GiroPay $100 / Varies Check availability Instant 1-3 days Free
Blik $100 / Varies Check availability Instant 1-3 days Free
POLi $100 / Varies Not available Instant N/A Free
PayNow $100 / Varies Check availability Instant 1-3 days Free
BPay $100 / Varies Not available 1-2 days N/A Free
Note: Currency conversion fee of 0.7% applies for non-base currency transactions.

Support Service for Customer

Plus500 provides round-the-clock multilingual support through multiple channels, though notably lacks phone support.

Support Channels

Channel Availability Languages Response Time
Live Chat 24/7 16 languages Minutes
Email 24/7 16 languages Within 24 hours
WhatsApp Business hours Multiple Quick response
Phone Not available N/A N/A

Prohibited Countries

Plus500 does not accept clients from certain jurisdictions due to regulatory restrictions or company policy. These include:

  • USA
  • North Korea
  • Iran
  • Syria
  • Sudan
  • Cuba
  • Belgium
  • Japan

The reasons vary but often relate to local licensing requirements, economic sanctions, or anti-money laundering rules.

Please note that US traders can only trade Futures with Plus500.

Attempting to trade from a prohibited country violates Plus500's terms of service. Accounts may be blocked or funds withheld. Always check your eligibility before signing up.

Special Offers for Customers

Plus500 occasionally offers bonuses. At the time of this writing, they provide a 150$ bonus on a 500$ deposit if you meet their Terms and Conditions. The bonuses mentioned are for Bronze T&Cs.

Conclusion

After a comprehensive analysis, Plus500 emerges as a highly credible and well-regulated CFD broker, particularly suited for retail traders prioritizing simplicity, security, and regulatory protection. The broker's 11 regulatory licenses, including recent additions of CIRO (Canada) and DFSA (UAE), position it among the most comprehensively regulated brokers globally.

The proprietary platform, while lacking advanced features like automated trading and MetaTrader support, excels in delivering an intuitive trading experience ideal for beginners and intermediate traders. The breadth of 2,800+ CFD instruments provides ample trading opportunities, though the 0.8 pip minimum spread on EUR/USD positions Plus500 as competitive but not market-leading on pricing.

Plus500's strengths clearly lie in its regulatory framework, user-friendly technology, and accessible entry requirements. The $100 minimum deposit, fee-free transactions, and 24/7 support create an environment conducive to retail trading success. Being publicly traded on the LSE adds unprecedented transparency rarely found among CFD brokers.

However, limitations exist. Traders requiring advanced analytical tools, automated trading capabilities, or MetaTrader platforms should consider alternatives. The absence of phone support may frustrate some clients, while the 0.7% currency conversion fee and inactivity charges after three months represent ongoing cost considerations.

For traders seeking a straightforward, highly regulated CFD trading environment without the complexity of traditional platforms, Plus500 represents an excellent choice. The broker particularly suits those valuing regulatory security over advanced features, making it ideal for risk-conscious retail traders entering the CFD market.

Plus500 FAQs

Is Plus500 regulated and safe?

Yes, Plus500 is highly regulated with 11 licenses including FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and CIRO (Canada). It's also publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange, providing exceptional transparency and safety.

What is the minimum deposit at Plus500?

$100 for credit/debit cards and e-wallets, $500 for bank transfers. No deposit fees are charged by Plus500.

Does Plus500 offer MetaTrader 4 or 5?

No, Plus500 only offers its proprietary WebTrader platform and mobile apps. MT4/MT5 are not available.

Can US residents trade with Plus500?

No, Plus500 does not accept clients from the United States due to regulatory restrictions.

What are Plus500's spreads?

Spreads start from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD. Plus500 charges no commissions on trades, with revenue coming from spreads and overnight fees.

About the Author

Arash Doostelahi

Arash Doostelahi

Arash Doostelahi is a dynamic content writer and online course creator, with expertise in content strategy, instructional design, and digital storytelling. Leveraging a blend of creativity and technical skills, Arash delivers impactful educational content and...