A head-to-head comparison of eToro and Plus500 across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best-in-class social and copy trading on a clean proprietary web/mobile platform. FCA / CySEC / ASIC regulated.
LSE-listed with zero commission, intuitive proprietary platform, and negative balance protection - though limited research and no MT4.
eToro edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Plus500's 4/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Plus500 offers tighter spreads from 0.6 pips vs 1 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
eToro edges out Plus500 with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Israel | Haifa, Israel |
| Min deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC AMF CySEC FSRA CMVM Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet ASF FSC CNB MNB KNF Finanstilsynet HCMC MFSA CMA FSA Seychelles | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit eToro | Visit Plus500 |
Pros
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Pros
LSE-listed providing strong institutional credibility
Zero commission on all trades
Intuitive proprietary platform with a clean mobile app
Negative balance protection across all accounts
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Wider FX spreads
Withdrawal fee
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
No phone support
Cons
No MT4 or MT5 support
Limited research tools and market analysis
US residents not accepted
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, eToro ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4/5 for Plus500. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; eToro and Plus500 may each suit different trader profiles.
Plus500 offers tighter spreads starting from 0.6 pips, compared to eToro's spreads from 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
eToro has a lower minimum deposit of $50, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes eToro more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both eToro and Plus500 hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: eToro has a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
eToro offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while Plus500 offers up to 30:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and Plus500 offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; both support Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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