Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs GBE brokers, 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, founded in 2008, stands as a prominent online broker with a Trust Score rating of 99, the highest level awarded by ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is highly trusted. As a publicly traded entity, Plus500 carries six Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its strong regulatory standing, and an additional three Tier-2 licenses further affirm its credibility in the financial sector. Unlike banks, Plus500 does not hold banking status but maintains its role as a leading financial service provider with extensive regulatory cover.
Comparatively, GBE Brokers, established in 2013, is a private entity with a Trust Score rating of 71, positioning it within the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. Although not publicly traded, GBE Brokers has obtained one Tier-1 license which signals a level of trust in its operations, although it holds no Tier-2 licenses. Like Plus500, it is not a bank but focuses on delivering brokerage services with a lesser degree of regulatory backing than its counterpart.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2013 |
| 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 comparing the commissions and fees of Plus500 and GBE brokers, both platforms have their unique offerings. Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average and may not be the best choice for active traders when compared to leaders like IG or Saxo. Although Plus500 does not offer discounts to retail clients, they provide cash rebates for those who qualify as Professional clients, similar to an active trader program. The average spread for the EUR/USD at Plus500 was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is above the industry standard. Plus500 holds a 4.0-star rating out of 5 for commissions and fees and is ranked #25 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in this category.
On the other hand, GBE brokers' averaged spread data is not available, which makes it somewhat challenging to assess directly against Plus500 for spreads and pricing. GBE brokers have the same 4-star rating for commissions and fees as Plus500, indicating they are a competitive option in terms of pricing. However, GBE brokers hold a lower rank of #36 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, suggesting they might lag behind a bit in this category when compared to Plus500.
Overall, both Plus500 and GBE brokers offer comparable star ratings for their commissions and fees, making them solid options in the market. However, Plus500 secures a slightly better ranking, potentially making it a more appealing choice for those who prioritize competitive pricing and commission structures. Evaluating specific needs and priorities can help in choosing between these two platforms.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| 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 comparing Plus500 and GBE brokers, significant differences in their range of investments come to light. Plus500 offers a substantial 5,500 tradeable symbols, giving traders a wide array of choices, whereas GBE brokers provide 500 symbols. Similarly, Plus500 offers 65 tradeable forex pairs compared to GBE brokers' 71. However, when it comes to exchange-traded securities, Plus500 provides the option to purchase shares like Apple on U.S. exchanges and Vodafone on international ones, a feature that GBE brokers do not offer. Both brokers permit forex trading as CFDs and feature cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of copy trading, Plus500 does not offer this service, while GBE brokers do.
In terms of ratings, Plus500 outshines with a solid 4.5-star score for its range of investments, while GBE brokers receive a 3.5-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is ranked 24th among 62 brokers for range of investments, demonstrating its more extensive offerings. Meanwhile, GBE brokers stand at 44th place in the same category. These rankings highlight Plus500's broader investment options, making it a potentially more attractive platform for those seeking diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 |
| 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 comparing Plus500 and GBE brokers, it's clear they both offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts. However, a key difference lies in their trading platforms. Plus500 provides a proprietary platform developed in-house, which is accessible via web-based browsers but doesn't support Windows-based desktop downloads. In contrast, GBE brokers doesn't offer a proprietary platform but supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, including a Windows-based desktop download. Another distinction is the availability of copy trading; GBE brokers offers this feature, whereas Plus500 does not.
Both brokers provide web-based trading platforms, but they differ in tools. Plus500 boasts an edge with 22 drawing tools for charting, while GBE brokers offers 15. GBE allows direct trading from stock charts, a feature Plus500 lacks. When it comes to organizing watch lists, Plus500 supports more columns. For Trading Platforms and Tools, Plus500 receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars and ranks 14th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, surpassing GBE brokers, which holds a 4-star rating and stands at 57th position. These differences highlight Plus500's useful in-built tools despite GBE's compatibility with renowned platforms.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Plus500 and GBE Brokers offer solid options for traders using iPhones and Android devices. Plus500 and GBE Brokers both provide essential features like the ability to receive stock or forex price alerts and to draw trendlines on charts. However, Plus500 goes the extra mile with its capability to sync watchlists between its mobile app and your online account, while GBE Brokers lacks this feature. Plus500 also offers a comprehensive selection of 110 technical studies for charting, significantly more than GBE Brokers' 30 studies. This means you'll have more tools at your disposal for analyzing market trends on Plus500's app.
Both apps offer the flexibility to view charts across different time frames and create watchlists with real-time quotes, making them practical choices for active traders. One area where GBE Brokers shines is the auto-saving of drawings on charts, a feature not available with Plus500. In terms of user satisfaction, Plus500 stands out with a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to GBE Brokers' 4 stars. Additionally, Plus500 ranks 14th out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, according to ForexBrokers.com, while GBE Brokers is ranked at 57th. These factors make Plus500 a more attractive option for those seeking a fully-featured mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 the market research features of Plus500 and GBE Brokers, several differences stand out. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, ensuring traders have access to timely insights. However, in terms of forex news from top-tier sources, neither broker offers updates from leading providers like Bloomberg or Reuters. While Plus500 provides technical analysis tools from Trading Central, enhancing its research capabilities, GBE Brokers falls short in this area. Both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools that reveal the ratio of long or short positions, essential for traders looking to gauge market sentiment. Additionally, both brokers include an economic calendar for tracking global economic events.
Plus500 is rated higher for research with a rating of 4.0 stars out of five, compared to GBE Brokers' 3 stars. Furthermore, in a ranking of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 holds the 19th spot, whereas GBE Brokers is ranked significantly lower at 61st. These ratings reflect Plus500’s broader range of research offerings, making it a more favorable option for traders seeking comprehensive analysis tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, Plus500 clearly sets itself apart from GBE Brokers. Plus500 offers a comprehensive range of educational materials, including over 10 pieces focusing on forex or CFDs, ensuring a solid foundation for new traders. In addition, Plus500 hosts monthly webinars to enhance learning opportunities and provides access to a searchable archive of recorded sessions. This broker also caters to both beginners and experienced traders with a substantial collection of educational videos tailored to each group, fostering a well-rounded trading education.
On the other hand, GBE Brokers does not meet the same educational standards as Plus500, lacking many of these learning tools. They offer fewer resources overall, with no regular webinars or video content specifically designed for newcomers. Plus500's dedication to education is reflected in its higher rating of 4.0 stars for educational support, compared to GBE Brokers' 3-star rating. This commitment to learning also ranks Plus500 at #31 out of 62 brokers for education, while GBE Brokers find themselves at the bottom of the list at #62. For beginners seeking a broker with superior educational offerings, Plus500 presents a more supportive environment.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
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 GBE brokers. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #56.
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
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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Both Plus500 and GBE brokers do not allow the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, however, they do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Plus500 and GBE brokers, both support PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but only GBE brokers additionally offers ACH and 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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | GBE brokers | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $500 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | Plus500 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
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