Capital.com and Plus500 compete for your equity exposure through share CFDs on global stocks. The clash centers on cost models, tooling, and market reach.
Capital.com is the editorial winner based on the higher score. It benefits from broader research tools and more exchanges, while Plus500 remains solid but narrower.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Capital.com if…
Choose Capital.com if you want AI-powered research tools, a stock screener, and a commission-free trading experience.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer a beginner-friendly, regulated platform with broad stock coverage.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com is the winner for low-cost trading due to commission-free trading.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $20▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 3 months) | $10/month (after 3 months) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Capital.com | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
The scores are close: Capital.com rates 3.9/5 and Plus500 rates 3.6/5. Capital.com has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both Capital.com and Plus500 start from the same spread of 0.6. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
Capital.com has $20, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Capital.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Capital.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: Capital.com requires a lower minimum deposit ($20), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Capital.com lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Plus500 lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Capital.com offers commission-free stock trading while Plus500 does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Capital.com and Plus500 are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Equally matched; both are FCA/ASIC/CySEC/MAS/CMA regulated with compensation schemes.
Capital.com wins for active traders due to AI research tools and advanced charting.
Plus500 wins for beginners with a clean, beginner-friendly interface and clear pricing.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or ownership via CFDs.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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