Plus500 vs Markets.com
If you are reading this article, you are likely having trouble deciding whether Plus500 or Markets.com is the better trading platform for you. While both platforms generally provide positive user experiences, there are some essential differences to note.
In this Plus500 or Markets.com broker comparison, we outline the highlights of each trading platform to help you make a more informed decision. We evaluate:
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- Plus500 vs Markets.com - Verdict
Israel United States ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA 2008 2008 Market Maker Market Maker $100 $100 N/A Proprietary platform, Web-based Proprietary platform 1.3 pips 0.7 pips 1.7 pips 1.1 pips $0.04 $0.05 $0.34 $0.30 80.00% 79.90% Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 0.6 pips Commission-free Commission-free Get Started Get Started
Features and Platforms
N/A N/A Get Started Get Started
Plus500 and Markets.com, owned by Playtech PLC, are both publicly-listed multi-asset brokers located in the UK; each is also a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. While both brokers have catered to clients since 2008, Markets.com has matured into a significantly more competitive broker. Plus500 only provides its own sub-standard proprietary trading platform, without support for automated or social trading. It does not offer research but publishes brief market commentary. Seven articles, which include short videos, add limited educational content. Markets.com offers traders two versions of its proprietary trading platform, together with the MT4/MT5 trading platforms. It enhances the trading experience via fourteen tools, news, analytics, and its XRay personalized financial live-stream service. Simply put, Plus500 is unable to compete with the product and services portfolio of Markets.com.
Available Markets
N/A N/A Get Started Get Started
Both brokers maintain over 2,000 assets, with Markets.com taking a minor lead. Plus500 grants more exposure with 71 currency pairs versus 67 at Markets.com. That reverses with commodities and indices, where Markets.com offers 27 and 41, respectively, against Plus500 which features 22 and 26. ETF traders do have a superior choice at Plus500, where 95 trumps the 60 offered at Markets.com. While Plus500 has 585 options contracts, Markets.com adds four bond CFDs and 23 blends, in-house created themed stock baskets. Markets.com shines with its equity CFD selection, where 2,031 eclipses the 1,737 offered at Plus500. The overall asset selection is excellent at both brokers and either allows for dynamic cross-asset diversification.
Typical Spreads and Fees
1.3 pips 0.7 pips 1.7 pips 1.1 pips $0.04 $0.05 $0.34 $0.30 $78 $51.50 Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable 0.6 pips Commission-free Commission-free $10 monthly after 3 months N/A Get Started Get Started
Plus500 offers commission-free, dynamic, market-dependent Forex spreads, while Markets.com features a minimum markup of 0.6 pips. The former displays higher markups on equity CFDs, while the latter implements a more cost-effective pricing structure. Traders at both brokers receive the effects of corporate actions. Traders pay swap rates on leveraged overnight positions at Plus500 and Markets.com. Neither broker charges internal deposit nor withdrawal fees, but third party-costs may apply. A monthly $10 inactivity exists at both, but Plus500 levies an up to 0.70% currency conversion cost versus 0.30% at Markets.com, which maintains a more competitive pricing environment.
Security and Trust
United Arab Emirates, Australia, Cyprus, Estonia, Israel, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, United Kingdom, South Africa Australia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, South Africa ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA 509909, 250/14, 417727, 486026, 47546, SD039, 100648-1, NOT AVAILABLE, 4.1-1/18, F005651 607305, 092/08, 424008, SIBA/L/14/1067, 46860 Get Started Get Started
While Plus500 remains compliant in seven regulatory jurisdictions consisting of the UK, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Seychelles, and Singapore, it does show a 2012 UK FCA fine for inaccurate transaction reporting.Markets.com maintains regulatory oversight in the UK, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, where it enjoys a clean track record. Both brokers are publicly-listed entities and adhere to strict capital requirements. Segregation of client deposits and negative balance protection exists at both brokers. While the security of the trading environment is relatively equal at Plus500 and Markets.com, the latter has a notable edge when it comes to trust, amid several missteps by the former within the past eight years. All client funds deposited with Plus500’s Cyprus subsidiary are held in segregated client bank accounts in accordance with the Cyprus Security and Exchange Commission’s (CySEC) client funds rules. Plus500AU Pty Ltd holds client money in a segregated trust account, in accordance with the Australian legal requirements.
Plus500 vs Markets.com – Verdict
While Plus500 and Markets.com provide a secure trading environment to clients with more than 2,000 assets, Plus500 maintains a significantly less competitive trading environment and lacks value-added services. The proprietary trading platform lacks core functionality and ignores automated trading solutions and those who prefer social trading. The seven educational articles do not suffice for new traders, and research is missing, increasing the gap in quality. 80% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Markets.com offers clients a dedicated CFD trading platform and one for investors. It also maintains the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms, which fully supports automated trading solutions, and deliver fourteen trading tools, which combine for a very competitive trading environment. Markets.com also generates high-quality research, sources market news, and the XRay personalized financial live-stream service further sets it apart from Plus500. 75.6% of retail clients operate their portfolio at a loss at Markets.com. With the excellent core trading conditions at Markets.com plus the value-added services, Plus500 is unable to compete.
You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:
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- Markets.com vs XTB
- Markets.com vs FXTM
- Markets.com vs Trading212
FAQs
Which trading platform is better: Plus500 or Markets.com?
The proprietary trading platforms at Markets.com remain superior to Plus500, especially once traders consider the fourteen trading tools offered by the former. Adding to the benefits at Markets.com is the availability of the MT4/MT5 trading platforms, allowing clients to deploy automated trading solutions and engage in indirect social trading. Plus500 does offer a guaranteed stop-loss order for an additional cost, which is presently only provided to French traders at Markets.com.
How many Forex pairs and CFDs are available to trade?
Plus500 maintains 71 currency pairs, and Markets.com 67, granting pure Forex traders a minimal edge at Plus500. Markets.com counters with an overall broader asset selection across commodities, indices, and equities. Both offer a minimal choice of cryptocurrencies. The total asset selection at Plus500 and Markets.com remains above 2,000, allowing traders excellent opportunities and cross-asset diversification, where Markets.com maintains an edge.
Which broker is better for beginner traders?
Markets.com widens its lead over Plus500 in this category. The former offers free webinars, and also provides quality research and market commentary. The XRay personalized financial live-stream service completes the excellent resources, together with fourteen trading tools, for new traders. Plus500 merely provides limited market news and seven brief articles, failing to offer competitive resources and value-added services.
Is Plus500 or Markets.com safer for Forex and CFDs trading?
Both maintain an equally safe trading environment as publicly listed companies on the London Stock Exchange and constituents of the FTSE 250 index. Client funds remain segregated from corporate capital, and negative balance protection exists. Markets.com remains more trustworthy as Plus500 has had several missteps in the past.