In this crypto CFDs face-off, Plus500 and Skilling balance regulation and usability, while diverging on coin breadth and charting capabilities.
The clearest differentiator is coin selection: Skilling lists 40 crypto CFDs versus Plus500's 15.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer a beginner-friendly, regulated CFD entry with 24/5 live chat support. It offers 15 crypto options and a simple, non-ownership pricing model, with FCA/ASIC/MAS oversight and segregated client funds.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want a broader crypto offering and advanced trading tools. It supports Skilling Trader, cTrader and MT4, giving cross-platform access.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Plus500 is best for security due to LSE listing and FCA/ASIC/MAS regulation.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | $50▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 3 months) | $10/month (after 90 days) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Plus500 | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
Plus500 and Skilling share the same editorial score of 3.7/5. One concrete differentiator: Skilling requires a lower minimum deposit.
Plus500 lists a lower spread from 0.6, compared with Skilling's 0.7. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
Skilling has $50, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Skilling more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Plus500 and Skilling 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: Skilling requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Plus500 offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Skilling'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.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader and MetaTrader 4.
Skilling scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
Best for low fees: Skilling offers competitive variable crypto spreads and no inactivity fee.
Best for coin selection: Skilling lists 40 crypto CFDs, more than Plus500’s 15.
Plus500 offers a beginner-friendly platform with straightforward CFD exposure.
Neither offers DeFi or Web3 features; they are equally matched.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| 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
Score 3.7 / 5
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