Interactive Brokers vs Plus500 Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Interactive Brokers and Plus500 across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 4 / 5
Interactive Brokers offers real cryptocurrency ownership (not CFDs) on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and select altcoins via its regulated IBKR platform - backed by SEC, FINRA, and FCA oversight, making it one of the safest regulated routes to crypto for sophisticated investors.
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
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.3 pts
Interactive Brokers edges ahead with a score of 4/5 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
Recommended
Interactive Brokers has a lower fee profile: no deposit fee, no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Interactive Brokers edges out Plus500 with a higher editorial score (4/5 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.
Interactive Brokers vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Interactive Brokers |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | No minimum | $100 |
| Regulators | FCA CMF FINRA SEC ASIC JFSA AMF DFSA CMVM CNV NFA IIROC SFC CBI CNB FSC SEBI MFSA | 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 Interactive Brokers | Visit Plus500 |
Interactive Brokers vs Plus500 Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real crypto ownership (not CFDs) - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and major alts in your IBKR account
- SEC, FINRA, FCA, and ASIC regulated - strongest multi-jurisdictional framework available
- 0.12–0.18% transparent commission - no spread markup on underlying price
- Manage crypto alongside stocks, ETFs, bonds, and forex in a single platform
Cons
- Narrow selection (~9 coins) - no access to altcoins, DeFi, or NFTs
- No staking or crypto-to-crypto trading
- No self-custody wallet withdrawals
- US clients face 24/7 availability restrictions due to regulatory requirements
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
Interactive Brokers vs Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
1
Plus500
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Pass | 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 |
Interactive Brokers vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Interactive Brokers ranks higher with a score of 4/5 vs 3.7/5 for Plus500. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers has a lower fee profile, with no deposit fee and no inactivity fee. Always check each platform's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto exchange fees vary by asset, trading volume, and account tier.
Neither Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
For beginners: Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum); Interactive Brokers 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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