Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs BlackBull Markets, 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 has built a solid reputation as a highly trusted online broker. It boasts a top-tier Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating a high level of trustworthiness. As a publicly traded company, Plus500 is not a bank but holds an impressive six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, emphasizing its strong regulatory standing and customer confidence. This status is bolstered by its listings on a stock exchange, providing an additional layer of transparency and reliability for its clients.
In contrast, BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, presents a different profile. While not publicly traded, it holds one Tier-1 license. It has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 78 out of 99, positioning it at average risk. Despite being a relatively newer entrant in the trading arena and not a bank, BlackBull Markets aims to offer its clients a dependable trading experience but without the extensive regulatory backing seen with Plus500.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing commissions and fees, Plus500 and BlackBull Markets offer different pricing structures that cater to distinct trading needs. Plus500, although slightly above the industry average in terms of pricing, garners a rating of 4.0 stars in this category. It does not offer discounts to retail clients, yet provides cash rebates for those qualifying as Professional clients. The average spread for EUR/USD at Plus500 was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than what many top forex brokers offer. In terms of ranking, Plus500 stands at #25 out of 62 brokers as assessed by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, BlackBull Markets presents a varied fee structure based on the account type chosen. With a notable 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, its costs also hover around the industry average. The Prime account, which is often preferred due to lower spreads, boasts an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 pips, resulting in a total cost of 0.76 pips when including commission. This account requires a $2,000 minimum deposit, while the Standard account offers commission-free trading, with broader spreads but no minimum deposit requirement. BlackBull Markets’ ECN Institutional account is tailored for active traders willing to invest at least $20,000, offering competitive commission rates of $2 per side. It holds a commendable #19 rank among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, while Plus500 may suit a particular segment of traders due to its cash rebates and Professional client offerings, BlackBull Markets provides more tailored choices through its various accounts, particularly for those who prioritize narrower spreads and are willing to meet minimum deposit thresholds. Both brokers boast commendable ratings, catering to different trader preferences and strategies.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.76 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 comparing the range of investments offered by Plus500 and BlackBull Markets, both brokers provide opportunities for forex trading either as a CFD or spot contract. However, BlackBull Markets stands out with a significantly larger offering of 26,000 tradeable symbols compared to Plus500's 5,500. In forex pairs, BlackBull Markets again has the edge with 72 pairs available, slightly surpassing Plus500's 65. Both brokers allow trading of U.S. and international stocks like Apple and Vodafone, but only BlackBull Markets provides copy trading capabilities. Neither platform offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, though they both provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives.
In terms of recognition within the industry, Plus500 holds a solid 4.5-star rating for its range of investments, sitting at the 24th spot among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets receives a higher rating of 5 stars and ranks 6th, reflecting a more comprehensive suite of investment options. Whether you prioritize variety in tradeable symbols or the addition of features like copy trading, BlackBull Markets may prove more appealing for those seeking extensive investment opportunities. On the other hand, Plus500 remains a strong choice for investors satisfied with a slightly smaller array of options and features.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 72 |
| 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 exploring the trading platforms and tools of Plus500 and BlackBull Markets, it's clear they both cater to diverse trader needs, yet with distinct differences. Plus500 offers a virtual demo account for simulated trading, providing an excellent way to practice without financial risk. It features an intuitive proprietary platform built in-house, but does not provide a desktop download option for Windows. Instead, Plus500 focuses on a seamless web-based trading experience. Traders will find the platform equipped with 10 columns for watch lists and 22 drawing tools, though it lacks direct trading from stock charts. Despite these limitations, Plus500 earns a solid 4.5-star rating and is ranked 14th in the trading platforms and tools category by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, BlackBull Markets provides both a virtual demo account and a broad suite of third-party platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and 5. It supports a Windows-based desktop download, catering to traders who prefer traditional software installations. The platform shines in offering copy trading and additional tools like ZuluTrade, although it doesn’t have its own proprietary software. With 60 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, BlackBull Markets is a strong contender for clients seeking comprehensive chart analysis features. While its trading platforms and tools receive a respectable 4-star rating, it ranks 28th in the ForexBrokers.com comparison, reflecting both its strengths and areas where some may prefer Plus500's offerings.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and BlackBull Markets offer iPhone and Android apps, providing users the flexibility to trade on the go. These apps support real-time price alerts and allow for watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring a seamless trading experience between mobile and desktop platforms. However, Plus500 stands out by providing a more extensive selection of technical studies, 110 compared to BlackBull Markets' 30, giving traders a wider range of analytical tools at their fingertips. Both trading apps allow users to draw trendlines and view charts across different time frames, ensuring comprehensive chart analysis on mobile devices.
Plus500 and BlackBull Markets enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, which is crucial for active traders. While both apps are well-rated, Plus500 claims the edge with a 4.5-star rating compared to BlackBull Markets' 4-star rating. Plus500 is ranked 14th out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its slightly superior performance in features and functionality. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets ranks 30th, and it allows auto-saving of chart drawings, a minor yet useful feature for traders who frequently rely on chart annotations.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
In comparing the market research offerings of Plus500 and BlackBull Markets, both brokers provide daily market commentary along with sentiment-based trading tools, ensuring traders stay informed and make insightful decisions. They also offer an economic calendar to help track global news events. However, only Plus500 provides access to Trading Central's technical analysis tools, while BlackBull Markets utilizes the resources from Autochartist, catering to traders with different analytical preferences.
Neither Plus500 nor BlackBull Markets deliver forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, and they don't include research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Despite these similarities, Plus500 slightly edges out with a marginally higher research rating of 4 stars and ranks #19, compared to BlackBull Markets, which holds a similar research rating of 4 stars but ranks one place higher at #18 among 62 brokers, as per ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both Plus500 and BlackBull Markets provide educational resources that cater to individuals looking to begin their journey in forex and CFDs trading. They both boast a collection of at least ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, that primarily focus on these trading subjects. Additionally, they each host online webinars for their clients monthly, ensuring continuous learning opportunities. Importantly, those who miss live sessions can access a searchable archive of recorded webinars, enabling flexible learning on demand.
When it comes to beginner-friendly content, both platforms rise to the occasion by offering over ten educational videos that focus specifically on introductory trading topics. For those seeking more advanced knowledge, both brokers again provide a similar number of videos tailored for experienced traders. However, BlackBull Markets distinguishes itself by including an investor dictionary that covers over 50 investing terms, which is an area where Plus500 falls short. In terms of educational ratings, both brokers score 4 out of 5 stars and are close in ranking, with Plus500 positioned at #31 and BlackBull Markets slightly ahead at #29 according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BlackBull Markets. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
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
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
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Both Plus500 and BlackBull Markets do not allow purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Plus500 and BlackBull Markets support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing funds, Plus500 exclusively offers PayPal, whereas neither platform provides ACH or SEPA transfers as funding methods.
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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 72 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.76 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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