Two regulation-backed brokers compete for traders seeking low costs and robust platforms. The tension centers on platform choice, execution depth, and instrument breadth.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Markets.com if you value MT4/MT5 access and live phone support.
Choose if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer a simple proprietary platform with zero commission.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Pros
CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and FSCA four-jurisdiction regulation
$25 minimum deposit - lowest among brokers with this regulatory stack
2,200+ instruments including shares CFDs
FSCS protection (UK) and ICF compensation (EU)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Markets.com | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Markets.com and Plus500 share the same editorial score of 4/5. One concrete differentiator: Markets.com requires a lower minimum deposit.
Both Markets.com and Plus500 start from 0.6 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
Markets.com has $25, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Markets.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Markets.com and Plus500 hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Markets.com requires a lower minimum deposit ($25), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Markets.com lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while Plus500 lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Markets.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Markets.com has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.60 pips.
Plus500 wins for safety and regulation with FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS, and CMA oversight.
Markets.com wins for active traders thanks to MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting.
Markets.com wins for platform choice offering MT4/MT5 plus a proprietary platform.
Plus500 is best for beginners with an intuitive proprietary platform and straightforward pricing.
Markets.com leads in instrument variety with 2,200+ CFDs.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Haifa, Israel |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $25▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FSCA FCA ASIC | CMA MAS CySEC FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
Spread-only pricing, no raw ECN account
Research tools limited, no analyst reports or stock screener
Not available to US clients
Platform analytical depth below Saxo or IG
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
Markets.com and Plus500 are closely matched, with Markets.com offering MT4/MT5, phone support, no inactivity fee, advanced charting, and 2,200 instruments versus Plus500's 2,000.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
Score 4 / 5
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