Two platforms compete for stock exposure and regulatory trust. One centers on regulated CFDs with broad equity coverage, the other on real share ownership and commission-free trading.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Plus500 if you want regulated share CFDs on a broad universe with a spread-based price model.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 3 months) | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Plus500 | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
The scores are close: Plus500 rates 3.6/5 and Stake rates 3.9/5. Stake 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.
Plus500 starts from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Plus500 requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both Plus500 and Stake 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.
Plus500 lists maximum leverage of 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Stake 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 Plus500 and Stake 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.
Choose Stake if…
Choose Stake if you prefer real share ownership and commission-free trading.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Stake wins for low trading costs with commission-free stock trades.
Plus500 wins safety and regulation with FCA/ASIC/MAS and higher transparency.
Plus500 wins for active traders due to short selling and leverage options.
Stake wins for beginners with no account minimum and straightforward interface.
Plus500 offers broader global exchange access with 18 exchanges.
Stake wins for long-term investors with real ownership and a simple interface.
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay | Bank TransferCredit CardDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCardPayPalSkrill | Bank Transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | MAS CMA CySEC FCA ASIC | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Stake edges Plus500 on the overall editorial score (3.9 vs 3.6). Plus500 leads on trust and regulation with higher transparency (4.5 vs 4.3).
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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