Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs Eightcap, 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.
Plus500 and Eightcap are two online brokers offering trading services to global customers, but they differ significantly in terms of trust and regulatory standing. Founded in 2008 and 2009 respectively, both companies are not banks. Plus500 is a publicly traded company, giving it additional visibility and scrutiny on the stock exchange, whereas Eightcap remains privately held. In terms of regulation, Plus500 stands out with six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, contributing to its top-tier Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is highly trusted.
Eightcap holds three Tier-1 licenses but no Tier-2 licenses, resulting in a Trust Score of 85, which still categorizes it as a trusted option, though not at the same level as Plus500. For investors prioritizing regulatory oversight and credibility, Plus500 offers a more fortified position through its extensive regulatory compliance and public trade status. Meanwhile, Eightcap, with a solid yet slightly lower trust rating, may appeal to those seeking an unlisted broker that still maintains a steady level of trust.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Plus500 and Eightcap, there are notable differences to consider. Plus500's pricing comes in slightly above the industry average and doesn't quite measure up against top forex brokers for active trader pricing. While there are no retail discounts available, Plus500 does offer cash rebates for those qualified and classified as Professional clients. The average spread for EUR/USD pairs at Plus500 was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which surpasses the industry norm. For its commission and fees, Plus500 scores a solid 4.0 stars and ranks 25th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Eightcap provides flexibility with two account types across its global branches in locations like Australia and the Bahamas. Traders can choose between a commission-based Raw account or a spread-only Standard account. The Raw account boasts an average spread of 0.06 pips, but when the per-side commission of $3.50 per trade is included, the cost hovers around 0.76 pips. This is slightly lower than the industry average of 0.8 pips. Despite this, Eightcap remains a bit pricier than the least expensive forex brokers in the market. Eightcap likewise earns a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, coming just behind Plus500 at 26th place out of 62 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com rankings.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| 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 comparing Plus500 and Eightcap in terms of their investment offerings, Plus500 stands out with a broader range of tradeable symbols, totaling 5,500 compared to Eightcap's 736. Both platforms offer forex trading through CFDs, with Plus500 providing 65 tradeable forex pairs, slightly ahead of Eightcap, which offers 56 pairs. A significant advantage of Plus500 is its ability to facilitate the purchase of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to invest in major companies like Apple and Vodafone directly—not just as CFDs. Eightcap, in contrast, does not provide this option, focusing more on CFD-based transactions without direct access to international stock markets.
In terms of additional features, Plus500 does not support copy trading, whereas Eightcap offers this beneficial tool, allowing users to mimic the trades of experienced investors. Both brokerage platforms provide cryptocurrency derivatives for trading but do not allow for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, Plus500 receives a higher score of 4.5 stars for its range of investments compared to Eightcap's 3.5 stars. Additionally, ForexBrokers.com ranks Plus500 at #24, placing it ahead of Eightcap, which is ranked at #40 out of 62 brokers. This comparison highlights Plus500's superior offerings and accessibility to a wider range of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 736 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 trading platforms and tools between Plus500 and Eightcap, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice without risks. Plus500 provides a proprietary platform, distinctively designed in-house, and offers a web-based trading option packed with 22 drawing tools for charting. However, it lacks support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and does not facilitate copy trading. In contrast, Eightcap does not have a proprietary platform but impresses with a Windows desktop platform while also supporting both MT4 and MT5, and enabling copy trading. Yet, it offers fewer drawing tools, totaling 15.
Both brokers support web-based trading but differ in the functionality offered. Eightcap allows trading directly from stock charts, unlike Plus500. Although Plus500 excels in watch list customization with 10 columns, Eightcap offers fewer, with just 7 columns. Rated at 4.5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, Plus500 ranks higher at #14 among 62 brokers, whereas Eightcap, with a commendable 4-star rating, holds the #38 spot. This reflects Plus500's stronger appeal to traders seeking user-friendly proprietary tools and diverse charting options.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and Eightcap offer their users mobile trading apps available on iPhone and Android devices, catering to traders on the go. Each platform supports stock and forex price alerts, and users can create watchlists that sync with their online accounts. This feature ensures any changes are synchronized across all devices. Where Plus500 truly excels is in its provision of technical studies. Offering 110 options in contrast to Eightcap's 30, Plus500 provides users with more tools for analyzing market trends. Both apps enable users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. However, Eightcap’s app goes a step further by automatically saving chart drawings, a feature that Plus500 lacks.
When it comes to ratings and rankings, Plus500 leads with a 4.5-star rating for its mobile trading app, slightly ahead of Eightcap's 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500’s app ranks 14th among 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, considerably higher than Eightcap, which stands at 38th. These distinctions make Plus500 a strong contender for those seeking a feature-rich mobile trading experience, whereas Eightcap may appeal to users who value auto-saving features and sync capabilities.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When comparing Plus500 and Eightcap for market research capabilities, both online brokers deliver daily market commentary and provide an economic calendar that highlights significant global events. However, Plus500 has the added benefit of utilizing tools from Trading Central, granting users access to advanced technical analytics not offered by Eightcap. Both brokers do not offer forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg or Reuters, nor do they employ analysis tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading. Furthermore, neither company integrates market research from TipRanks into their platforms.
In terms of sentiment-based trading tools, both Plus500 and Eightcap are evenly matched, providing features that reveal trader positions on various financial instruments. Despite this parity, Plus500 edges ahead with a slightly higher research rating of 4.0 stars compared to Eightcap's 3.5 stars. This higher rating is reflected in their respective rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Plus500 is placed at #19 among 62 brokers, while Eightcap stands at #39. This comparison reveals Plus500 as a more favorable option for traders who value the quality of research tools and resources.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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.
When comparing the educational resources offered to beginners by Plus500 and Eightcap, both platforms provide a solid foundation with a range of forex and CFD tutorials including articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, Plus500 stands out with a few additional offerings that are particularly beneficial for beginners. Unlike Eightcap, Plus500 hosts monthly educational webinars, providing a live learning experience that can be quite valuable for new traders. Plus500 also maintains a searchable archive of these webinars, allowing users to revisit past sessions at their convenience, a feature also available on Eightcap's platform.
Another significant distinction is in the variety of video content offered. Plus500 provides videos tailored not only to beginners but also to advanced traders, while Eightcap focuses primarily on beginner topics. Despite Eightcap offering a comprehensive investor dictionary that is missing from Plus500's suite of resources, Plus500 holds a higher education rating overall, earning 4.0 stars compared to Eightcap's 3.5 stars. Plus500's commitment to providing diverse learning resources and consistent monthly webinars has earned it a higher ranking in the educational category by ForexBrokers.com, placing it at #31 out of 62 brokers, while Eightcap ranks at #40.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Eightcap. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Eightcap finished with an overall rank of #38.
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
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Both Plus500 and Eightcap provide investors with the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both Plus500 and Eightcap do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for deposits and withdrawals, but they do allow transactions via PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, offering a versatile range of funding options for their users.
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 | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Eightcap Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 736 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.0 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Eightcap Review |
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