This comparison pits Fidelity's broad long term investing toolkit against Plus500's CFD based share access. The tension centers on cost models, regulation, and exchange reach.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission free US stock trading. You also get fractional shares and dividend reinvestment.
Choose if…
Choose Plus500 if you want spread only pricing on share CFDs. It also offers compensation scheme and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | $100 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Fidelity | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | 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 | Pass | Fail |
Fidelity rates 4.6/5 versus 3.6/5 for Plus500. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Plus500 starts from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Plus500 requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity 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, Plus500 provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Fidelity lists maximum leverage of 1:4, 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.
Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro.
Fidelity 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.
Plus500 scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Fidelity wins for low-cost trading due to commission free US stocks and zero expense ratio funds.
Plus500 demonstrates broad regulatory oversight with multiple major regulators and a compensation scheme.
Fidelity wins with zero expense index funds and research for long term investing.
Fidelity wins for active traders with Active Trader Pro and advanced tools.
Plus500 is better for beginners due to a simple beginner friendly WebTrader.
Plus500 offers broader global access with 18 exchanges.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | ASIC CySEC FCA MAS CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | Active Trader Pro Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Fidelity edges Plus500 on the higher editorial score and stronger long term features, including zero expense ratio index funds and commission free US stock trading.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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