IG and Plus500 both offer regulated crypto CFDs, yet they diverge on asset breadth, platform depth, and support. This matchup teases which approach suits different traders best.
IG outpaces Plus500 on editorial score, reflecting stronger regulation and broader coin coverage.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want a broad crypto universe with 70+ coins and strong regulatory oversight, plus access to MT4 and ProRealTime charts, weekend market availability, and no funding fees on standard deposits, and reliable security practices.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer a beginner-friendly platform with clear spread-only pricing, no commissions, negative balance protection, easy onboarding with a $100 minimum, transparent risk disclosures, and friendly live support for initial setup and quick funding options.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
IG wins for security due to its FCA-listed framework and wider regulator coverage.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | $10/month (after 3 months)▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
IG rates 4.2/5 versus 3.7/5 for Plus500. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both IG and Plus500 list the same spread figure of 0.6. Compare each exchange's full fee schedule, including maker/taker rates and any volume discounts, to evaluate total trading costs.
IG has no minimum deposit, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both IG and Plus500 hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: IG has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IG offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Plus500's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
IG wins for low fees because standard funding carries no deposit or withdrawal fees.
Plus500 wins for beginners with a clean interface and straightforward pricing.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access or staking.
| Deposit Fee |
|---|
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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