IG vs Plus500 Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IG and Plus500 across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.2 / 5
IG offers a wide cryptocurrency CFD range - including weekend markets and overnight volatility indices - backed by its LSE-listed regulatory credibility, though spread-only pricing makes it less competitive for high-frequency crypto traders.
VS
Score 3.7 / 5
Plus500 offers crypto CFDs on 15+ major tokens via its proprietary WebTrader under FCA, ASIC, and MAS regulation - a straightforward, beginner-friendly regulated entry point for digital asset CFD exposure.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.5 pts
IG edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Plus500's 3.7/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges show an equally strong security profile across cold storage, proof of reserves, and regulatory oversight.
Best for low fees
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges offer equivalent fee conditions — no deposit fee and no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IG edges out Plus500 with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 3.7/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new crypto traders.
Best for coin selection
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
Coin-selection data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's supported assets page to compare the number of tradeable cryptocurrencies.
Best for DeFi & Web3
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
DeFi and NFT feature data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's Web3 product pages directly.
IG vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  IG |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | No minimum | $100 |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI Finanstilsynet KNF | FCA ASIC CySEC CMA MAS |
| 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 |
| Visit exchange | Visit IG | Visit Plus500 |
IG vs Plus500 Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- 70+ cryptocurrencies including weekend Bitcoin and Ethereum markets
- FCA-listed regulatory framework - significantly stronger than most crypto exchanges
- Available on IG's proprietary platform, ProRealTime charts, and MT4
- No deposit or withdrawal fee on standard funding methods
Cons
- Spread-only market maker pricing - wider than specialist crypto exchanges
- No real crypto ownership, staking, or self-custody
- No crypto-to-crypto pairs or DeFi access
- Overnight financing costs accumulate on held CFD positions
Pros
- LSE-listed, FCA/ASIC/MAS regulated - among the most transparent regulated CFD operators
- Clean, beginner-friendly platform with no minimum deposit requirement
- No commission - spread-only pricing is easy to understand for new traders
- Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
Cons
- Narrower coin selection (15+) than most multi-platform competitors
- Wider spreads than ECN alternatives - not cost-competitive for active traders
- Inactivity fee ($10/month) after 3 months - punishing for low-frequency traders
- No MetaTrader, no API, no algorithmic trading support
IG vs Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
IG
criteria wins
1
Plus500
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| 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 vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 3.7/5 for Plus500. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
IG and Plus500 show a similar security profile in our data. Both should be evaluated on cold storage practices, proof of reserves, regulatory oversight, and whether client funds are held separately from operational funds.
IG and Plus500 appear similar on fee criteria in our data. Compare each exchange's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto fees vary by asset, volume tier, and payment method.
Neither IG nor Plus500 is listed as offering staking in our data. Check each exchange's website directly for the most up-to-date staking offerings, as this feature changes frequently.
IG has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
For beginners: IG has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum); IG has a higher overall editorial score. Also consider each exchange's educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of their user interface before deciding.
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