Two brokers, similar overall scores, but they trade on different strengths: platform choice versus regulatory reach.
GO Markets and Plus500 are closely matched overall, with Plus500 slightly ahead on regulation and GO Markets stronger on platforms.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you want MT4, MT5, and cTrader, plus advanced charting.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you want a proprietary platform with 1,800+ share CFDs on a simple, regulated interface.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Plus500 is best for safety and regulation with FCA, ASIC, MAS oversight and a London listing.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: GO Markets rates 3.5/5 and Plus500 rates 3.6/5. Plus500 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.
GO 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.
Plus500 has $100, while GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes Plus500 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO 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, two factors stand out: Plus500 requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
GO Markets charges $5 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.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither GO 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 GO 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.
GO Markets is best for active traders due to multiple platforms and advanced charting.
Plus500 is best for beginners due to a simple proprietary platform and intuitive WebTrader.
Plus500 offers broader global market access with 18 exchanges versus GO Markets' six.
Plus500 is best for low cost trading due to spread-only pricing and no commissions.
Both are equally matched for long-term investing since fractional shares and DRIP are not offered.
| 0.5 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 FSC | FCA MAS ASIC CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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