In a head-to-head of stock trading platforms, FP Markets and Plus500 court different trader priorities. The comparison weighs cost models, regulation, and access to global equities.
FP Markets edges Plus500 on editorial score (4.1 vs 3.6). Plus500 offers broader regulatory coverage, while FP Markets pairs strong regulation with a wider platform mix.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FP Markets if…
Choose FP Markets if you value DMA access via IRESS and you want a multi-platform setup.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you want a straightforward, beginner-friendly, spread-only pricing model.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Plus500 holds FCA, ASIC, MAS, CySEC, and CMA regulation for broader global oversight.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FP Markets | 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 | Fail | 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 | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: FP Markets rates 4.1/5 and Plus500 rates 3.6/5. FP Markets 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.
FP Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Plus500's 0.6. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Both FP Markets and Plus500 require a minimum deposit of $100 to open a live trading account.
Both FP Markets 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
FP Markets 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.
FP Markets charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Plus500 are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FP Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither FP Markets nor Plus500 is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both FP Markets 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.
FP Markets wins for active traders with IRESS DMA and multiple platforms.
Plus500 offers 18 exchanges, more than FP Markets' 15.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC | MAS FCA ASIC CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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