Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs Trade Nation, 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.
When comparing online brokers Plus500 and Trade Nation, it's clear that Plus500 is the more established of the two, having been founded in 2008, six years before Trade Nation in 2014. Plus500 stands out as a publicly traded company, while Trade Nation is not listed on a stock exchange. Both brokers operate without banking services, maintaining their focus on financial trading. In terms of trust and security, Plus500 shines with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, while Trade Nation holds a respectable but lower score of 85.
Plus500 offers impressive regulatory oversight with six Tier-1 licenses, deemed highly trusted, and three Tier-2 licenses, which are considered trusted. On the other hand, Trade Nation holds two highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and one trusted Tier-2 license. These licenses reflect each broker's commitment to providing secure trading environments, but Plus500 demonstrates a higher degree of regulatory assurance, aligning with its superior Trust Score.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2014 |
| 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 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Plus500 and Trade Nation, several key differences emerge. Plus500's pricing structure is slightly above the industry average, particularly for active trader pricing. While the broker does not offer discounts to retail clients, it does provide cash rebates for those who qualify as Professional clients. During April 2024, spreads for the EUR/USD averaged 1.5 pips at Plus500. In terms of ratings, Plus500 scores 4.0 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees and ranks 25th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Trade Nation, on the other hand, is noted for its competitive fixed-spread pricing strategy across all tradeable symbols on its unique platform, as well as variable-spread pricing on its MetaTrader platform. The fixed spread for the EUR/USD pair is listed at 0.6 pips, though it briefly widens to as much as 1.4 pips during a daily rollover period, resulting in a true average spread closer to 1 pip. Trade Nation's impressive approach to pricing earns it a full 5-star rating for commissions and fees, placing it 7th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In terms of account offerings, Trade Nation provides three types primarily on its MetaTrader platform, including a commission-based Raw Spread account and a commission-free account, alongside its proprietary TN Trader account. Notably, the TN Trader account typically offers the most favorable spreads when considering all-in costs. While Plus500 maintains an above-average pricing structure, Trade Nation's consistent and competitive spread offerings make it a strong contender in the realm of online trading.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| 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 shines in the investment offerings by providing a wide array of 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs available through CFD contracts. This extensive selection is complemented by access to both US and international exchange-traded securities, allowing clients the opportunity to directly invest in companies like Apple and Vodafone. On the cryptocurrency front, Plus500 offers a selection of cryptocurrency derivatives, although it doesn't facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. This robust combination of offerings has earned Plus500 a high rating of 4.5 stars for its range of investments and ranks it 24th out of 62 brokers in this category.
Trade Nation caters to investors with a library of 1,000 tradeable symbols, featuring 46 forex pairs accessible via CFD contracts. While it doesn't offer direct access to exchange-traded securities on US or international exchanges, Trade Nation does support copy trading, enabling users to mimic the portfolios of successful traders. Like Plus500, Trade Nation provides the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but not physical cryptocurrencies. This varied yet somewhat limited range of options sees Trade Nation rated at 3.5 stars for its range of investments and placed at 38th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 |
| 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.
Plus500 and Trade Nation both provide traders with robust outlines through their proprietary platforms, each crafted in-house. Users interested in trying out these platforms can benefit from simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts offered by both brokers. Plus500 excels with its web-based platform, allowing easy access without requiring downloads, while Trade Nation stands out with its desktop version available for Windows users. When it comes to social trading, Trade Nation takes the lead by offering copy trading, a feature absent in Plus500. However, neither broker currently includes popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4, DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade.
In terms of charting capabilities, Plus500 provides 22 drawing tools, whereas Trade Nation offers a broader selection with 39. For traders focused on watch lists, Plus500 supports up to 10 columns or fields, while Trade Nation offers slightly more with 14. Although both platforms lack trading directly from a stock chart, the user-friendly interfaces and functionality support diverse trading strategies. With a 4.5-star rating, Plus500 ranks impressively at number 14 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools. Trade Nation holds a respectable 4-star rating, ranking at 45, making both brokers viable choices based on individual preferences and trading needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 99 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 39 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 14 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and Trade Nation, both platforms offer similar features, making them strong contenders for traders on the go. Both apps are available for iPhone and Android devices, providing users with the ability to receive stock and forex price alerts and sync watchlist symbols across devices. Users can enjoy the flexibility of viewing different time frames, from daily to intraday, and drawing trendlines on charts. However, only Trade Nation’s app automatically saves drawings on charts, which might be a deciding factor for traders who frequently use technical analysis.
For those looking at technical studies, Plus500 offers a slight edge with 110 studies compared to Trade Nation's 99. Both apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring traders stay updated no matter where they are. In terms of user ratings, Plus500 scores higher with a 4.5-star rating, compared to Trade Nation's 4 stars. Moreover, Plus500 is ranked 14th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its mobile trading app, while Trade Nation stands at 45th. This suggests that while both apps offer solid functionality, Plus500 slightly outperforms Trade Nation in terms of features and user experience.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 99 |
| 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 offerings of Plus500 and Trade Nation, there are notable distinctions. Plus500 shines with its provision of daily market commentary, an economic calendar highlighting global events, and a sentiment-based trading tool that provides insights into long and short positions. Furthermore, Plus500 enhances its research capabilities with tools from Trading Central, such as Technical Analytics. These features contribute to its overall solid performance, granting it a higher research rating of 4.0 stars and a ranking of #19 out of 62 brokers, as per ForexBrokers.com.
Trade Nation, on the other hand, stands out by offering forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, as well as research tools from Acuity Trading, like the Signal Centre. Despite lacking some features provided by Plus500, such as an economic calendar and Trading Central tools, Trade Nation still offers a sentiment-based trading tool, mirroring Plus500's offering. With a research rating of 3.5 stars, Trade Nation is ranked #42 by ForexBrokers.com in the Research category, reflecting its competent but slightly less comprehensive suite of market research tools compared to Plus500.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner traders, Plus500 and Trade Nation each provide a variety of materials to help newcomers get started with forex and CFDs trading. Both brokers offer a selection of educational content, including articles and videos, to make learning accessible to everyone. Plus500 goes the extra mile by providing monthly webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions, allowing traders to continue their education at their own pace. Trade Nation, on the other hand, does not offer these webinars or archives but matches Plus500 in providing ample beginner-focused videos.
Plus500 stands out for its advanced educational videos, catering to both novices and seasoned traders who want to deepen their knowledge. Unfortunately, neither broker offers an investor dictionary to define key trading terms. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Plus500 ranks higher at #31, receiving a 4.0-star rating for education, while Trade Nation is placed at #42 with a 3.5-star rating. This comparison highlights Plus500's slight edge in offering a more comprehensive educational experience for those starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Trade Nation. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while Trade Nation finished with an overall rank of #34.
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
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Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Both Plus500 and Trade Nation do not allow users to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Plus500 and Trade Nation both support Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, while neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers; however, Plus500 uniquely supports PayPal, distinguishing it from Trade Nation, which does not offer this option.
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 | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Trade Nation Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.6 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $0 | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 14 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 99 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 39 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 99 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| 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 | No |
| Education | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | Trade Nation Review |
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