Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs Markets.com, 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 Markets.com are both well-established online brokers catering to diverse trading needs. Plus500 was founded in 2008 and is a publicly traded company, though neither broker operates as a bank. In terms of regulatory standings, Plus500 appears more highly trusted with six Tier-1 licenses, which are held in high esteem by the Forex community. In addition, Plus500 holds three Tier-2 licenses, giving it a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score Rating of 99, reflecting its strong credibility.
In contrast, Markets.com has a slightly longer history, having been founded in 1999. However, it is not listed on any stock exchange. Markets.com maintains a solid regulatory framework with three Tier-1 licenses alongside one Tier-2 license. This grants it a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, indicating it is also considered highly trusted, though it ranks below Plus500 in terms of overall trust and regulation. Both brokers provide reliable environments for traders, but Plus500 stands out with its higher number of elite Tier-1 licenses and public trading status.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
In the realm of online brokerage, Plus500 and Markets.com offer distinct approaches to commissions and fees, catering to different customer needs. Plus500's overall pricing sits slightly above the average in the industry, lacking some of the competitive edge seen in top forex brokers like IG or Saxo. While Plus500 does not offer discounts to retail clients, they do provide cash rebates if you qualify as a Professional client. For the popular EUR/USD pair, Plus500's spreads averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry standard. This earned Plus500 a commission and fees rating of 4.0 stars from ForexBrokers.com, placing it at rank #25 out of 62 brokers.
Markets.com, on the other hand, does not provide average spread data, making direct comparison with Plus500 slightly challenging. With a commission and fees rating of 3.5 stars by ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com stands at rank #49 out of 62 brokers. While specific spread information isn't available, this rating suggests a less competitive fee structure compared to Plus500.
In summary, Plus500 generally offers a higher cost structure for traders, but it compensates through its rebate program for qualified clients. Markets.com lacks detailed spread data, resulting in a lower rating and rank. Choosing between these brokers will largely depend on your trading frequency and whether you can access Plus500's Professional client benefits.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $100 |
| 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 | 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.
Plus500 and Markets.com are popular online brokers, each offering diverse investment options to traders. Plus500 provides access to a vast selection of 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs available as CFDs, granting traders a broad spectrum of opportunities. On the other hand, Markets.com also offers forex trading as CFDs with 57 forex pairs and a total of 2,179 tradeable symbols. However, Plus500 stands out by allowing users to buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, which Markets.com does not offer. This feature lets Plus500 clients invest directly in companies like Apple and Vodafone, providing a more extensive direct investment scope.
While both platforms offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, they do not support the purchase of actual cryptocurrency. Additionally, Markets.com has the unique feature of copy trading, allowing users to replicate the portfolios of successful traders, a service Plus500 does not provide. In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, Plus500 slightly edges out with a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 24th out of 62 brokers for the range of investments by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Markets.com receives a 4-star rating and is ranked 29th in the same category. These distinctions highlight Plus500's strength in investment variety, while Markets.com appeals to those interested in copy trading as a strategic tool.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 57 |
| 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 Markets.com, both brokers offer free demo accounts, which allow new traders to practice without financial risk. Each of these brokers has developed their own proprietary trading platforms, demonstrating a commitment to providing a tailored trading experience. While both platforms are accessible via web browsers, only Markets.com offers a Windows-based desktop download option, giving it an edge for traders who favor desktop software. Additionally, Markets.com supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, offering advanced trading tools and customization, whereas Plus500 does not. Plus500, however, offers more drawing tools for charting, with 22 options compared to Markets.com's four, providing users with greater flexibility in analyzing market data.
For those interested in copy trading, Markets.com includes this through its offering, whereas Plus500 does not support copy trading features. Despite these differences, neither platform allows direct trading from stock charts, nor do they include DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. In terms of organization, Plus500 provides watch lists with up to 10 columns, allowing for more detailed data tracking, compared to Markets.com's six columns. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is notably ranked higher for trading platforms and tools, holding the 14th position out of 62 brokers and earning a 4.5-star rating. In contrast, Markets.com ranks 26th with a 4-star rating, pointing to Plus500's slightly superior offerings in this category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and Markets.com provide mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users, offering a range of features to enhance the trading experience. Users of both platforms can receive stock and forex price alerts and enjoy the convenience of watchlist symbol syncing, which ensures that any changes made within the mobile app are mirrored in the online account. Plus500 stands out with 110 technical studies available in its mobile app, compared to Markets.com's zero studies on its dedicated app and a default number on MT4. The ability to draw trendlines is available on both trading apps, although only Plus500 supports viewing multiple time frames for stock or forex charts.
Neither Plus500 nor Markets.com's mobile apps automatically save drawings on charts. However, both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. In user ratings, Plus500 enjoys a slightly higher score of 4.5 stars compared to Markets.com's 4 stars, reflecting its superior standing. Furthermore, Plus500 is ranked 14th out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com holds the 33rd spot. This ranking showcases Plus500 as a more favored choice for traders seeking feature-rich mobile trading solutions.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both Plus500 and Markets.com provide valuable resources for traders. They each offer daily market commentary and maintain economic calendars featuring global news events. However, there are distinct differences in the range of research tools they provide. Plus500 stands out with its access to Trading Central's Technical Analytics and a sentiment-based trading tool, helping traders see market positions. In contrast, Markets.com provides forex news from high-profile sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which can be a significant advantage for those seeking the latest information from trusted names.
While Plus500 boasts a commendable research rating of 4 out of 5 stars, matching that of Markets.com, both platforms have unique offerings that set them apart. Despite Plus500's slightly lower ranking at #19 compared to Markets.com's #17, its specialized tools might appeal more to traders looking for advanced technical analytics and sentiment analysis. On the other hand, Markets.com's strength in delivering timely, high-tier news could be beneficial for those who prioritize staying up-to-date with market developments. Each platform, with its strengths, caters to different trader needs, making the choice largely dependent on individual trading strategies and preferences.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| 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 for beginners at Plus500 and Markets.com, there are some key differences to consider. Plus500 stands out by providing more than 10 educational pieces focusing on forex or CFDs, while Markets.com falls short in this area. Both brokers, however, offer online educational webinars each month, catering to clients who prefer interactive learning. Plus500 goes the extra mile with a searchable archive of these recorded webinars, offering a convenient way for users to revisit past sessions, a feature that Markets.com does not provide.
Both Plus500 and Markets.com make similar efforts in offering educational videos. Each provides at least 10 beginner-focused videos, along with an equal number of advanced topics tailored for seasoned traders. Neither of the brokers offers an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms. Based on expert ratings, Plus500 and Markets.com both earn a commendable 4 out of 5 stars for their educational offerings. In terms of rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 edges out with a rank of #31 compared to Markets.com, which is positioned at #34 out of 62 brokers analyzed for educational resources.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Markets.com. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both Plus500 and Markets.com do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, focusing instead on providing options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Plus500 and Markets.com, it is notable that neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers for funding accounts, but Plus500 is distinct in supporting PayPal, alongside both platforms offering fund transfers via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 1999 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
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