Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs FP 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 stands out as a highly trusted online broker with a top ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99. Listed on a stock exchange, Plus500 holds an impressive collection of regulatory approvals with six Tier-1 licenses, reflecting the highest level of trust, as well as three Tier-2 licenses. Despite not being a bank, Plus500's robust regulation and transparency offer an appealing option for investors seeking reliability and security in their trading activities.
FP Markets, established in 2005, offers a trustworthy option with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 89, placing it in the trusted category. Though not publicly traded, FP Markets maintains two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, highlighting its commitment to regulatory standards. This well-established broker caters to traders looking for a reliable platform without the backing of a stock exchange listing. Both brokers are non-banking entities and provide distinct levels of trust and regulatory compliance for traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2005 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing Plus500 and FP Markets in terms of commissions and fees, Plus500 leans towards slightly higher pricing, placing it above the industry average. This broker doesn’t offer retail clients discounts but provides cash rebates for Professional clients. During April 2024, Plus500's spreads for the EUR/USD averaged 1.5 pips, which is above the industry norm. Plus500 is rated at 4.0 stars for commissions and fees and stands at #25 out of 62 brokers in the category ranked by ForexBrokers.com.
FP Markets, on the other hand, offers highly competitive pricing, especially for its commission-based ECN account through MetaTrader and cTrader, making it a global leader in cost-efficiency. The broker has been recognized as Best in Class for Commissions and Fees in 2024. Particularly, its Raw ECN account features competitive spreads averaging 0.1 pips (0.8 pips all-in with commission). The Standard account has wider spreads averaging 1.1 pips for EUR/USD, while cTrader can be used with both account types. FP Markets is rated 5 stars and holds the #6 spot out of 62 brokers for Commissions and Fees by ForexBrokers.com.
FP Markets also provides an Iress platform suite for those based in Australia, with varying account options tailored for active traders. To avoid additional fees, the Premier account or a minimum monthly commission is required. FP Markets' share CFD offering on Iress supports Direct Market Access (DMA). For traders seeking a low-cost option, the Iress Investor account is available, though it comes with limitations such as no default streaming data.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $100 AUD |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| 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 the investment offerings of Plus500 and FP Markets, there are clear distinctions and notable similarities. Both platforms provide an avenue for forex trading via CFDs, catering to traders interested in this financial instrument. In terms of the breadth of tradeable symbols, Plus500 offers a substantial 5,500, while FP Markets surpasses this with an impressive 10,000 symbols. Forex enthusiasts will find Plus500 offering 65 pairs, slightly fewer compared to FP Markets, which boasts 71 pairs. A unique advantage of Plus500 is its provision of exchange-traded securities from both U.S. and international markets, enabling clients to purchase shares like Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. FP Markets, in contrast, does not offer direct access to such securities but shines with its copy trading feature, a tool absent in Plus500's offerings.
Exploring cryptocurrency options, both brokers allow trading of crypto derivatives, although neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrency. Both brokers receive a commendable rating of 4.5 stars for their range of investments, despite their differences. However, in terms of global ranking by ForexBrokers.com within the Range of Investments category, FP Markets edges out Plus500, ranking at 18 compared to Plus500’s rank of 24, reflecting a broader investment scope and features that appeal to a wide range of traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 71 |
| 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Plus500 and FP Markets come equipped with features for new and experienced traders. Plus500 provides a seamless web-based platform paired with a proprietary platform, allowing traders the flexibility to simulate trades using a virtual demo account. While it doesn't support popular tools like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or offer copy trading, it compensates with a rating of 4.5 stars from ForexBrokers.com and holds an impressive #14 ranking out of 62 brokers for its trading platforms and tools. Plus500 offers 22 drawing tools for charting but does not allow direct trading from a stock chart.
Meanwhile, FP Markets stands out with its wide range of trading options, including both proprietary and downloadable desktop platforms on Windows. It impressively supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and offers copy trading for those seeking to emulate successful traders. Although it is ranked #23 by ForexBrokers.com and holds a 4-star rating, FP Markets enables direct trading from stock charts, enhancing convenience for active traders. With 17 drawing tools and a smaller number of watch list columns compared to Plus500, FP Markets offers an enriched but slightly different trading experience, making it a strong contender for traders who value flexibility and diverse tool offerings.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and FP Markets, it's clear both platforms offer significant functionality for traders on the go. Both apps are available on iPhone and Android devices, allowing easy access to trading at any time. They also provide stock or forex price alerts to keep traders informed of market movements. While both platforms enable users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, Plus500 stands out with its availability of 110 technical studies, surpassing FP Markets’ MetaTrader default offerings. Additionally, Plus500 offers watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to seamlessly update their watchlists between mobile devices and their online accounts, whereas FP Markets lacks this feature. However, FP Markets has the advantage of auto-saving chart drawings, a feature not present in Plus500’s mobile app.
Both Plus500 and FP Markets support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, providing traders with the data they need to make informed decisions. In terms of ratings, Plus500 slightly outshines FP Markets with a score of 4.5 stars compared to 4 stars. As ranked by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 places 14th out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, while FP Markets holds the 18th position. Overall, Plus500’s app may appeal more to those who prioritize technical analysis tools and seamless integration across devices, while FP Markets offers a dependable platform with the added benefit of auto-saving feature for chart drawings.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | MetaTrader (Default) |
| 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 it comes to market research offerings, both Plus500 and FP Markets provide daily market commentary, ensuring that traders are kept informed with relevant insights. However, FP Markets excels with its provision of forex news sourced from leading agencies like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while Plus500 does not offer this feature. Both brokers provide tools from Trading Central to aid in technical analysis, and they each feature sentiment-based trading tools for assessing long or short positions across various instruments. An economic calendar is also available from both brokers, allowing traders to track key global news events.
For those seeking specialized research tools, FP Markets offers resources from Autochartist, a company known for its advanced technical analysis tools, whereas Plus500 does not support these tools. Neither broker provides services from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Despite both receiving a solid research rating of 4 stars out of 5, Plus500 holds a higher rank in the research category, positioned at 19th out of 62 brokers rated by ForexBrokers.com, compared to FP Markets' 25th place. This indicates that Plus500 might have a slight edge in its overall research offering, according to this ranking.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Plus500 and FP Markets for educational resources available to beginners, both online brokers provide a solid range of materials to help newcomers get started with forex and CFDs trading. Both platforms offer at least 10 educational pieces, such as articles, videos, or webinars, specifically aimed at beginner traders. Each broker also conducts monthly online webinars and provides a searchable archive of these sessions for convenient access to previously recorded content. Moreover, traders at both Plus500 and FP Markets can benefit from a minimum of 10 beginner-friendly educational videos, making it easy to grasp essential trading concepts.
For those seeking more advanced knowledge, both brokers have over 10 educational videos catering to experienced traders. However, FP Markets outshines Plus500 by offering an investor dictionary that includes definitions for over 50 investing terms, a tool that can be particularly valuable for new traders trying to familiarize themselves with trading jargon. Despite this, both brokers share the same education rating of 4 out of 5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 holds the 31st rank for education among 62 brokers, while FP Markets ranks slightly better in 23rd place, showcasing its slightly more comprehensive suite of educational tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FP 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 FP Markets. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while FP Markets finished with an overall rank of #19.
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
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 89 |
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Both Plus500 and FP Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, focusing instead on providing options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Plus500 and FP Markets provide versatile deposit and withdrawal options, supporting PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, although neither broker supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | FP Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 89 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | FP Markets Review |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 89 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2005 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 71 | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $100 AUD | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | MetaTrader (Default) | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | FP 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 | FP 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 | FP Markets Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | FP Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 89 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | FP Markets Review |
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