Simple CFD Trading for Beginners
Plus500 was founded in 2008 in Israel and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2013 (PLUS.L). It is one of the best-known CFD platforms, particularly among European retail traders, with 27 million registered users across 50 countries. Plus500 is known for its simple, no-frills proprietary WebTrader platform — it has no MT4/MT5 support and focuses entirely on ease of use. It is best for beginners who want a simple CFD trading experience but is not recommended for advanced traders who need professional tools.
| 🏛️ Founded | 2008 |
| 📍 Headquarters | Haifa, Israel |
| 📈 Listed on | London Stock Exchange (PLUS.L) |
| 📜 Regulators | FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus/EU), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), FSP (New Zealand), FSCA (South Africa) |
| 💵 Min. Deposit | €100 |
| 💰 Stock/ETF Commission | N/A (CFDs only — spread based) |
| 💱 FX / Spread | From 0.6 pip (EUR/USD) — spread only, no commissions |
| 😴 Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 3 months of inactivity |
| 🏧 Withdrawal Fee | Free (minimum $50 withdrawal) |
| 🖥️ Platforms | Plus500 WebTrader (proprietary), Plus500 Mobile |
| 🎮 Demo Account | Yes (unlimited virtual funds) |
| 🛡️ Investor Protection | FCA (UK): £85,000 FSCS. CySEC (EU): €20,000. |
| 👥 Clients | 27,000,000+ registered |
Plus500 uses only its proprietary WebTrader (web and mobile). There is no MT4, MT5, or third-party platform. The interface is clean and simple, with basic charting (limited indicators), real-time quotes, and a watchlist. It is one of the most beginner-friendly CFD platforms available. The mobile app mirrors the web interface. A free unlimited demo account is available. Advanced order types include limit, stop, trailing stop, and guaranteed stop (at an additional cost).
Plus500 offers 2,800+ CFD instruments: 60+ forex pairs, 30+ stock indices, 2,000+ share CFDs (US, UK, EU, Asian stocks), ETF CFDs, commodity CFDs (gold, silver, oil, gas, agricultural), 10+ crypto CFDs, and options on CFDs (American-style, cash-settled). No real stocks, ETFs, or spot crypto. All products are CFDs — short selling and leverage are built in.
No commissions — Plus500 earns via spread only. EUR/USD spread: from 0.6 pip (variable, widens at night and during volatility). No overnight funding on daily CFDs; standard swap rates on regular CFDs. Inactivity fee: $10/month after 3 months without login — this is aggressive and a significant drawback. Minimum withdrawal: $50. Guaranteed stop-loss: small premium. No deposit fee. Currency conversion fee applies to non-base currency instruments.
| Stocks & ETFs | N/A (CFDs only — spread based) |
| Forex / Spread | From 0.6 pip (EUR/USD) — spread only, no commissions |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month after 3 months of inactivity |
| Withdrawal fee | Free (minimum $50 withdrawal) |
| Min. deposit | €100 |
Plus500 is listed on the London Stock Exchange (PLUS.L) — requiring regular financial disclosures and external auditing. Regulated by FCA (UK), CySEC (EU/Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and MAS (Singapore). UK clients: £85,000 FSCS protection. EU clients: €20,000 CySEC protection. Client funds segregated at major banks. Negative balance protection for all retail clients. Plus500 has received multiple FCA and CySEC fines historically for marketing practices — these have since been resolved.
| Regulators | FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus/EU), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), FSP (New Zealand), FSCA (South Africa) |
| Investor Protection | FCA (UK): £85,000 FSCS. CySEC (EU): €20,000. |
| Publicly Listed | London Stock Exchange (PLUS.L) |
Available in 50+ countries. Not available in the USA. Regulated entities differ by country.
Plus500 is best for beginners who want a simple, no-frills CFD platform without the complexity of MT4 or professional tools. Its LSE listing, wide regulatory coverage, and clean interface make it reliable and accessible. The main drawbacks are the aggressive $10/month inactivity fee (triggered after just 3 months), wider spreads than ECN brokers, and the lack of advanced charting or platform choice.
* 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.