Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs Plus500, 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.
Interactive Brokers, founded in 1977, and Plus500, established in 2008, both enjoy top-tier credibility in the online brokerage world. They each have a perfect 99 Trust Score rating on ForexBrokers.com, indicating they are highly reliable. Both firms are publicly traded, offering transparency and investor oversight. Although neither is a bank, they are distinguished by their regulatory approvals: Interactive Brokers holds nine Tier-1 licenses while Plus500 has six, reflecting their strong compliance with top financial regulatory bodies worldwide.
On the Tier-2 license front, Plus500 takes a slight lead with three approvals compared to Interactive Brokers' two. These licenses further underscore the general trustworthiness and security for users trading with these brokers. Whether you choose Interactive Brokers or Plus500, both options provide extensive regulatory backing, granting consumers peace of mind when trading online.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Interactive Brokers is a standout choice for traders looking for competitive commission rates. With a 5-star rating in the commissions and fees category and a remarkable #2 ranking out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, it's an appealing option for those engaged in forex trading. However, comparing its pricing to other brokers can be challenging, as Interactive Brokers does not publish average spreads for forex. Nonetheless, the average spread for EUR/USD stands at a low 0.19 pips, translating to an all-in spread of 0.59 pips when adding commissions. Forex trading commissions begin at 0.00002 (0.2 basis points) of the trade value in U.S. dollars, with a minimum of $2 per order. Notably, active traders can enjoy further reductions in fees based on trading volumes.
Conversely, Plus500 offers pricing that generally sits above the industry average. It has a 4-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks #25 out of 62 brokers. For the EUR/USD pair, Plus500's spreads averaged 1.5 pips as of April 2024, which is notably higher than many competitors. Though Plus500 does not typically offer retail discounts, Professional clients may access cash rebates through a program akin to active trader incentives. These rebate options, however, may not match the low commission rates seen at brokers like IG or Saxo for high-volume traders.
In summary, Interactive Brokers presents a compelling choice for traders prioritizing low commissions, especially with its provisions for active traders. Plus500, while reliable, may be less attractive to cost-sensitive forex traders due to its higher spreads and lack of widespread discounts. Ultimately, Interactive Brokers leads in competitive cost structure, whereas Plus500 might appeal more to those comfortable with its pricing model and the benefits offered to Professional clients.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 1.5 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 1.5 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments available through Interactive Brokers and Plus500, Interactive Brokers stands out for its extensive offering. Interactive Brokers provides access to an impressive 8,500 tradable symbols, encompassing a broad selection of 90 forex pairs, and allows clients to buy actual cryptocurrencies directly, in addition to derivatives. Meanwhile, Plus500 offers a solid range with 5,500 symbols and 65 forex pairs, but lacks the direct purchase option for cryptocurrencies, sticking only to derivatives.
Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs, and allow clients to buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone shares. Neither platform supports copy trading. Rated 5 stars, Interactive Brokers tops the chart at ForexBrokers.com, taking the #1 spot for the range of investments category out of 62 brokers. Plus500 holds a respectable position with 4.5 stars, ranked #24 in the same category. This makes Interactive Brokers a preferable choice for those seeking a wider range of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 5500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 65 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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). | 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. |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Interactive Brokers and Plus500 both cater to traders with proprietary platforms designed to meet varying needs, yet there are distinct differences between the two. Both brokers provide the opportunity for simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without the risk of losing real money. Interactive Brokers offers a comprehensive suite with both a Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based interface, whereas Plus500 limits traders to a web-based platform only. For chart enthusiasts, Interactive Brokers excels, offering 85 drawing tools and the capability to trade directly from stock charts, highlighting its flexibility and advanced functionality. In comparison, Plus500 provides 22 drawing tools and does not support trading from stock charts.
When it comes to organizing market information, Interactive Brokers stands out with a staggering 659 columns available for watchlists, dwarfing the 10 columns offered by Plus500. This extensive customization can be a significant advantage for detail-oriented traders seeking granular data insights. Despite these differences, both brokers maintain a strong standing, as reflected in their high ratings for trading platforms and tools. On ForexBrokers.com, Interactive Brokers ranks third among 62 brokers with a perfect 5-star rating, while Plus500 holds a respectable 4.5-star rating, ranking 14th. These accolades suggest that both platforms have much to offer, though Interactive Brokers may present a more versatile toolkit for traders who require advanced features and extensive customizations.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 114 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 22 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 10 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Interactive Brokers and Plus500 offer comprehensive mobile trading experiences with apps available for iPhone and Android devices. Users can receive stock and forex price alerts and synchronize watchlists between their mobile app and online accounts seamlessly. On the charting front, Interactive Brokers provides 97 technical studies, while Plus500 offers a slightly higher number with 110 studies. Both platforms enable traders to draw trendlines and view stock or forex charts across multiple time frames, such as daily or intraday, although neither app automatically saves chart drawings.
Interactive Brokers and Plus500 each support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes for convenient market tracking. Interactive Brokers edges slightly ahead in ratings, receiving a full 5 stars for its mobile trading app compared to Plus500’s 4.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Interactive Brokers ranks 4th, and Plus500 ranks 14th out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, reflecting a generally favorable reception for both, with Interactive Brokers achieving top-tier recognition.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 110 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Interactive Brokers and Plus500 both provide daily market commentary, making them valuable resources for staying informed each day. However, Interactive Brokers stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature Plus500 lacks. While both platforms harness the expertise of Trading Central for technical analysis tools, Plus500 does not provide access to Autochartist, which neither broker offers. Additionally, both brokers share a sentiment-based trading tool that shows long or short positions ratios, helpful for tracking market sentiments.
For those seeking comprehensive market research, Interactive Brokers offers tools from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, which Plus500 does not. Each broker provides an economic calendar for global events. With a research rating of 5 stars and ranked #3 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Interactive Brokers excels in research offerings. Meanwhile, Plus500, rated 4 stars and ranked #19, offers commendable features but some significant gaps compared to Interactive Brokers.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources provided by Interactive Brokers and Plus500 for beginners, both platforms offer a wealth of tools designed to support online traders. Interactive Brokers stands out with a comprehensive suite of educational materials, providing more than 10 pieces focused on forex and CFDs. They host online client webinars monthly and maintain an archive of recorded sessions for users to revisit. Interactive Brokers also supplies a robust collection of beginner-friendly videos and an impressive array of advanced content for more experienced traders. Additionally, this broker includes an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, making it a valuable resource for those new to trading. Their efforts are reflected in their top-tier education rating of 5 stars and a ranking of #3 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Plus500 also offers significant educational support with over 10 resources focusing on forex and CFDs. Similar to Interactive Brokers, they provide monthly webinars and maintain an archive of these sessions. The platform caters to novice and advanced traders alike by offering a substantial number of beginner and advanced educational videos. However, Plus500 lacks an investor dictionary with 50 investing terms, which is a notable gap compared to Interactive Brokers. Reflecting these strengths and limitations, Plus500 earns an education rating of 4.0 stars and is ranked #31 by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers in the education category.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than Plus500. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14.
Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted multi-asset broker with an extensive offering of tradeable global markets. It delivers competitive fees and high-quality research and education, as well as a modern, institutional-grade trading platform suite.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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Plus500
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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Interactive Brokers and Plus500 differ in their cryptocurrency offerings, with Interactive Brokers allowing users to purchase both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas Plus500 only provides access to cryptocurrency derivatives.
Interactive Brokers supports ACH, SEPA, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds but does not offer PayPal, Skrill, or card payments, whereas Plus500 provides flexible options including PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, yet lacks ACH and SEPA transfer support.
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 | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
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| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 5500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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). | 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. |
| Cost | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 1.5 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 1.5 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | €100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 10 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 114 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 22 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 97 | 110 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Interactive Brokers Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | Plus500 Review |
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