In this stock CFD showdown, Plus500 and Windsor Brokers compete on regulation, exchange reach, and platform choices.
Plus500 edges Windsor Brokers on trust/regulation and broader exchange access, as reflected by the 3.6 vs 3.4 editorial score.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you want 24/5 live chat, a proprietary platform, and access to 18 exchanges.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you prefer phone support, MT4/MT5, and access to 5 exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Plus500 benefits from FCA/ASIC/MAS oversight and LSE listing.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Plus500 | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Plus500 rates 3.6/5 and Windsor Brokers rates 3.4/5. 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.
Windsor Brokers 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 Plus500 and Windsor Brokers require a minimum deposit of $100 to open a live trading account.
Both Plus500 and Windsor Brokers 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.
Plus500 lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Windsor Brokers lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Plus500 nor Windsor Brokers 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 Plus500 and Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers is better for active traders thanks to MT4/MT5 and pricing.
Plus500 wins for beginners due to a beginner-friendly platform and strong regulation.
Plus500 wins global access with 18 exchanges and broad stock coverage.
Plus500 wins for low cost trading due to spread-only pricing and no commissions.
Long-term investment features are equally matched.
| N/A |
| 0.8 pips |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 3 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| 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 | MAS FCA ASIC CySEC CMA | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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