Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs Admirals, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Founded in 2008, Plus500 is a well-established online broker that stands out for its high level of trustworthiness. It holds an impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the "highly trusted" category. Plus500 operates under the oversight of six Tier-1 licenses, which denote a high level of regulatory credibility. The company is also publicly traded, enhancing its transparency and appeal. Additionally, Plus500 possesses three Tier-2 licenses, reflecting further regulatory oversight. Despite not being a bank, its regulatory credentials make it a reliable choice for traders.
Admirals, established in 2001, is another trusted name in the online brokerage industry, earning a solid Trust Score of 93 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com. It is backed by four Tier-1 licenses, indicating a strong regulatory framework, and like Plus500, it is not a bank. Admirals is not publicly traded, but it maintains trust with its clients through its regulatory adherence, holding three Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers exhibit trusted regulatory standards, yet Plus500 slightly edges ahead in terms of license count and public listing.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing commissions and fees between online brokers Plus500 and Admirals, traders should take note of the differences in pricing structures and rankings. Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average, particularly for active traders, with spreads averaging 1.5 pips for the EUR/USD in April 2024. While Plus500 does not offer retail client discounts, there is a possibility of cash rebates for those qualifying as Professional clients. Overall, Plus500 earns a 4.0-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranking 25th out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Admirals offers more competitive pricing with typical spreads of 0.8 pips, both on Admiral's Trade and the Zero account types. Admirals' pricing structure helps it achieve a 4.5-star rating in the commissions and fees category, placing it at the 17th position out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. This positioning shows Admirals as a favorable option for traders looking for cost-effective trading solutions compared to Plus500.
In summary, for traders prioritizing lower spreads and a higher star rating, Admirals emerges as a more attractive choice compared to Plus500. With a better rank and superior pricing, Admirals stands out in offering competitive commissions and fees within the online brokerage landscape.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investments, both Plus500 and Admirals shine with their offerings but have notable distinctions. Plus500 provides access to 5,500 tradable symbols versus Admirals' larger selection of 8,702 symbols. In the realm of forex trading, Plus500 supports 65 currency pairs, while Admirals offers a slightly greater variety with 82 pairs. Both platforms allow trading in forex as CFDs and are equipped with exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, enabling investors to buy stocks like Apple and Vodafone.
However, Admirals sets itself apart by offering copy trading, a feature not available with Plus500. In terms of cryptocurrency, neither broker provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency derivatives. Both brokers received a commendable rating of 4.5 stars for their range of investments, though Admirals ranks slightly higher at #19 on ForexBrokers.com compared to Plus500's #24 ranking. These nuances make both platforms appealing depending on an investor's specific trading preferences.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 8702 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 82 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Plus500 and Admirals, several differences become apparent. Both brokers provide the benefit of a free virtual demo account, allowing users to ease into trading with simulated scenarios. Each has its own proprietary platform, but while Plus500 does not offer a Windows-based desktop application, Admirals does, catering to those who prefer downloading software. Both brokers support web-based trading, suitable for those who favor browser flexibility. Admirals' platform is more comprehensive in terms of third-party software, supporting both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, whereas Plus500 does not offer these. For traders interested in copy trading, Admirals provides this feature, unlike Plus500.
Charting tools reveal further contrasts between the two brokers. Admirals excels with 106 drawing tools, offering a higher degree of customization for technical analysis compared to Plus500's 22 tools. Additionally, Admirals allows trades to be placed directly from stock charts, a feature not supported by Plus500. For watch lists, Plus500 provides more fields for customization with 10 options as opposed to Admirals' 7. Evaluations of their platforms result in Plus500 receiving 4.5 stars and Admirals 4 stars for their trading tools and platforms. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Plus500 is placed at #14, whereas Admirals is ranked at #20 out of 62 brokers in the same category. This comprehensive comparison highlights Plus500's streamlined approach against Admirals' feature-rich platforms, allowing traders to select based on their specific trading preferences and needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and Admirals offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, featuring essential tools for trading stocks and forex. Each provides alerts for stock and forex prices, and the ability to create and manage watchlists with real-time quotes. One notable difference between the two is Plus500's watchlist symbol syncing capability, allowing users to seamlessly sync watchlists between their mobile app and online account. While both apps enable users to draw trendlines and access various time frames for charting, Plus500 stands out with a more comprehensive selection of technical studies, offering 110 compared to Admirals' 30.
Another point to consider is that Admirals' app offers the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings, a feature not available in Plus500's app. Evaluated for their mobile trading prowess, Plus500 earns a commendable 4.5-star rating and is ranked 14th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Admirals receive a 4-star rating and ranks 28th. Whether prioritizing advanced charting tools or automated features, both apps cater to traders looking to monitor and manage their portfolios on the go.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Plus500 and Admirals for their market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary, ensuring traders stay up-to-date with relevant insights. While Plus500 delivers research tools from Trading Central and a sentiment-based trading tool, it lacks forex news from premier sources and supplementary insights from providers like TipRanks and Acuity Trading. In contrast, Admirals enriches its market research with forex news from top-tier outlets, and offers tools from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, making it a more diverse option for those seeking comprehensive market analysis.
Despite these differences, both brokers offer technical analysis features from Trading Central and provide economic calendars to track global economic events, catering to traders who rely on these tools for strategizing. In ratings, Plus500 earns 4.0 stars for research, slightly higher than Admirals' 4 stars, yet Admirals holds a stronger position, ranked 15th out of 62 brokers at ForexBrokers.com for research, compared to Plus500's 19th rank. This indicates Admirals may have a slight edge overall in terms of research capabilities for more demanding traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both Plus500 and Admirals offer a comprehensive range of educational resources for beginners looking to delve into forex and CFDs trading. Each broker provides a collection of over 10 educational pieces, comprising articles, videos, and archived webinars centered on forex and CFDs. In addition, they both host monthly online webinars and maintain a searchable archive of these recorded sessions, allowing beginners to learn at their own pace. Plus500 and Admirals also offer a wealth of educational videos, tailored to guide beginners through various trading topics, while also catering to more experienced traders with advanced content.
While both brokers boast a strong educational resource base, Admirals edges out slightly by offering an investor dictionary with over 50 trading terms, which is not available with Plus500. Despite this, both brokers are rated similarly for education, with Plus500 receiving a 4.0-star rating and Admirals rated at 4 stars. When it comes to ranking among 62 brokers, Plus500 holds the 31st spot, while Admirals is positioned higher at 12th place, demonstrating a slight advantage in the educational resources category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than Admirals. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both Plus500 and Admirals do not allow customers to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Plus500 and Admirals facilitate transactions via PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, only Admirals provides the additional convenience of ACH and SEPA transfers, distinguishing itself as a more versatile option for managing account funds.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Plus500 | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Admirals Review |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | Yes |
| Investments | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 8702 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 82 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Plus500 Review | Admirals Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Admirals Review |
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