Plus500 Review
Company Overview
With so many options out there to go for, finding the perfect Forex broker is not always easy. Among others, Plus500 has gained quite a lot of popularity nowadays.
Plus500 is a leading online Contract for Difference (CFDs) trading platform that is owned by a holding company called Plus500 Ltd. The company is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (LON:PLUS).
But is the platform worth it – at least compared to other brokers? What are the disadvantages and drawbacks? Read our Plus500 review and find out everything there is to know.
Who Is Plus500 For?
Plus500 is a great platform for those who need a wide range of financial assets at a low price. The platform is also very easy to use, making it the perfect choice for beginners who have no experience in trading. With its low fees, it is also a great alternative for those who are trading on a budget.
Things We Like
We liked the fact that Plus500 is easy to use. The platform is well-designed, and opening an account is fairly straightforward. The customer support is also very easy to contact via online chat, in case you have any questions.
The platform is serious about safety, with all regulations in order and with negative balance protection for all client accounts. This means that clients won’t be losing more money than they placed in their accounts.
In addition to being regulated around the world, Plus500 is also an active sponsor of professional Soccer and Rugby teams. The firm has been the official sponsor of Club Atletico de Madrid since 2016. They also added Legia Warsaw and Atalanta to their list during 2020.
Things We Don’t Like
We didn’t particularly like the fact that it does not accept clients from the United States. The product range could also be a bit bigger, as at this point you can only trade CFDs. The fees for that are also average, and you cannot pair this tool with other trading platforms.
Also, we did not like the fact that while the customer support responds shortly via online chat, you don’t have many other options to contact them. You are only limited to live chat and email.
Awards
Plus500 has grown quite a lot in popularity, but it has yet to win any big awards from authority figures. DayTrading deemed it the best overall broker and the one with the best trading app, but it has not received any reputable, internationally-recognized awards yet.
Safety and Regulation
Where safety is concerned, users have nothing to worry about. Plus500 is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including CySEC, ASIC, FCA, FMA, MAS, FSCA, FSA, and ISA. It has all the regulations to ensure that it can safely operate throughout most of the world.
Plus500 Licenses
- Plus500UK Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 509909).
- Plus500CY Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (Licence No. 250/14).
- Plus500AU Pty Ltd, ACN 153 301 681, AFSL # 417727, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission is authorized to issue these products to Australian residents.
- Derivatives issuer licence in New Zealand, FSP #. 486026 authorizes them to issue these products to New Zealand residents.
- Plus500AU Pty Ltd, is also an authorized Financial Services Provider in South Africa, FSP 47546.
Who Is Plus500?
Plus500, registered under Plus500 Ltd., is a company that deals mostly with contracts-for-difference online trading. The company is based in Israel and has been active since 2008 when it was founded. The company grew with time, and it now has subsidiaries throughout the whole Asian-Pacific region, as well as Europe.
Is Plus500 Safe or a Scam?
Aside from the multiple regulations provided by Plus500, you also have several safety features to enjoy. There are multiple subsidiaries that you can go to if you have any problems. You also have investor protection to keep watch of your money, so even if something goes wrong with the platform, you are fully protected.
Countries It Accepts Clients From
Plus500 accepts new clients from almost every part of the world. That being said, there are also some countries where you may be unable to open an account. For example, like multiple brokers of this type, clients from the United States or Canada are not accepted. Countries with a fluctuating economic system such as Iran, Cuba, and Syria are also not on the list of accepted countries.
Range of Offerings and Products
Plus500 offers more than 2000 financial instruments that you can trade with. These products and offerings include:
- Forex
- Indices (Sector and Country)
- ETFs
- Individual shares
- Cryptocurrencies
- Options
- Commodities
All of these options may be customized and adjusted to the risk tolerance of the client. This should help you reach your strategic goals with more ease.
Is Plus500 Best For Day Trading?
Without a doubt, Plus500 operates with a high standard of efficiency and reliability. Their digital Webtrader trading platform is proprietary and able to perform the job of executing trades quickly.
In addition, there is a wide range of assets for you to choose from to trade with at home.
As a day trader, it is important that you can execute as many trades as needed within a short time frame. With the huge asset index, you will be able to do just that, without difficulties.
In addition, the fact that you can open and close a CFD position at any time during trading hours means you can review and amend your positions and investing portfolio however you need to.
Trading Platforms
Plus500 has two platforms that you may use: the web platform and the mobile platform. It does not have a desktop platform, but the web platform is nicely designed and very easy to use. It is also available in several languages. So, regardless of your country of origin, you should be able to find a language that you could handle.
The design of the platform is very clean, without any unnecessarily complicated bells and whistles. It cannot be customized, but on the upside, you can set it on dark mode. This feature is not available on many brokerage platforms, so the fact that you can choose it here is a great plus.
The mobile platform is also web-designed and user-friendly. It allows you to practice trading wherever you may want, whether you are commuting or just too lazy to reach your computer. You can download the app on both iOS and Android.
Although Plus500 uses a proprietary trading platform, the trading platform (Webtrader) is able to cater to the different needs of the broker’s international clientele base, as it is available across several different versions.
There is a desktop version of the trading platform which traders can download and install onto their computers. Retail and professional accounts operate on the same platform.
This creates pros and cons but with advanced research tools next to the ability to execute trades in a user-friendly way the platform performs well. The layout is clean and crisp, with clear ‘Buy’ and ‘Short’ buttons, and a simple set up of stop and limit orders.
For those who wish to trade directly from the internet, there is a web-based version of the trading platform which can be accessed with any web browser. There is no integration with MT4 at present.
The key difference between the Webtrader trading platform and the platforms provided by other brokers in the industry is the fact that Plus500 trading platforms work seamlessly with each other.
Account Types
Plus500 has only provided one type of trading account, a standard trading account. The standard trading account requires a minimum deposit of $100 to open.
During the recent system upgrade, the broker has upgraded all their clients’ trading accounts to Gold account status.
With that in mind, you may upgrade to the Professional Account if you check the following criteria:
- You have experience in the sector of financial services
- Your financial investment portfolio goes over $500,000
- You’ve had sufficient trading activities over the past 12 months
Opening an account is easy, but you will have to provide enough documentation to verify your identity. You will also need proof of residency in order to complete the registration process.
Demo Account
Like many brokers of the type, Plus500 also gives you the opportunity to a demo account. This way, you can practice your trades without putting any real money at risk. You can simply use the virtual funds provided by the demo account.
Bear in mind that in order for the demo account to give you accurate answers, you need to use it accordingly. You can indeed use it with more currency – but that does not mean that you should. Try instead to use the same virtual currency amount that you would normally use in real life. This way, you will get a better idea of how to make profits at your own pace.
What is the maximum leverage available at Plus500?
The maximum leverage offered by Plus500 is 1:30 as per regulatory guidelines. Leverage varies by the asset (crypto trades are limited to 1:2). Traders in Non-EU regulated markets can utilize higher levels of margin. 1:30 is a limit imposed by ESMA in European Economic Area only.
Deposit and Withdrawal
Plus500 has a few deposit methods that may work with every style of banking. You have the standard bank transfers and credit/debit card, but also Skrill and PayPal. With that in mind, the e-wallets may be limited to the countries that you live in.
With bank transfers, the deposit may take several business days. However, if you use e-wallets or a debit/credit card, the funds will reach your account instantly. You may only make deposits from accounts that have your name in them.
What is Plus500’s Minimum Deposit?
The minimum deposit that you will have to make depends on the deposit method that you are using. For instance, if you are depositing via electronic wallets and credit/debit cards, the minimum deposit is $100. However, if you go for a bank transfer, that transfer fee changes into $300.
There is just one account type, so unlike any other Forex broker, there won’t be any changes based on the account you use. The minimum deposit will remain at $100, no matter if you stick with the retail account or advance to the professional account.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals on Plus500 are free of charge. Despite this fact, keep in mind that you are only limited to 5 withdrawals a month. If you go past that number, then you will be charged $10 extra for every withdrawal.
You also have a minimum withdrawal amount, depending on the withdrawal method that you use. For debit/credit cards and bank transfers, the minimum withdrawal is $100, whereas for PayPal the minimum is $50. These are categorized as conversion fees that you will eventually have to pay.
Plus500 Promotions
Plus500 offers you a bonus on the first deposit, but only as long as you use the bonus code associated with it. Depending on the sum you are depositing, you may get a different bonus amount. For example, for a minimum deposit of $200, you can get a $70 bonus, whereas a minimum of $75,000 can get a $13,000 bonus.
Client Support and Education
Unlike other brokers that offer webinars and well-structured materials, Plus500 has only a demo account for you to learn from. You have a few articles from which you can learn some tips and tricks as well as an eBook where you may learn how to use the platform, but education-wise, Plus500 is lacking.
With that in mind, at least the customer support is fairly reliable. You can contact them at all times by email or live chat, and the relevant answers arrive fairly quickly. The only drawback here is that you cannot contact them by phone.
Verdict – Overall Rating
Overall, the platform is functional and a great choice for all types of Forex traders. Despite the lack of educational materials, it is very easy to use, and with a bit of practice and research, you should be able to start making a profit in a short time.
Methodology
All brokers listed on our website are regulated by at least one financial regulator and have never been reported as a scam. Our reviews and overall scores are based on the key areas above, in a combination with our opinion and commentary.
The reviews are shared and discussed with the brokers, but the authors of our website always have the final word. Furthermore, we always strive to keep the information on our website updated and relevant for our readers.
What helps us stand out is that we always test our brokers with an anonymous live account, to ensure we deliver the most accurate information and experience to our readers. Finally, our reviews and evaluation are always independent of any financial compensation we may receive from the brokers.
Risk Disclaimer
There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities.
With respect to margin-based foreign exchange trading, off-exchange derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, there is considerable exposure to risk, including but not limited to, leverage, creditworthiness, limited regulatory protection, and market volatility that may substantially affect the price or liquidity of a currency or related instrument. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable, or that they will not result in losses. Learn more at Wikipedia.
All investments involve risks and are not suitable for every investor. The value of securities may fluctuate and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The past performance of a security or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk it does not assure a profit, or protect against the loss, in a down market.
There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities or other financial products. Investors should consider their investment objectives and risks carefully before investing. More details here.
Looking for more information on brokers and trading? Have a look at our trading guides:
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- Best Online Stock Brokers for 2021
- Best Trading Apps for 2021
Review Sources
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Professional forex and CFD traders seeking a global multi-asset broker will find Plus500 offers a sophisticated, institutional-grade trading platform, and competitive fees.
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