In the fast-paced world of online trading, selecting the right broker isn’t just a decision—it’s a strategic move that can significantly impact your investment success. When it comes to CFD trading, two platforms consistently rise to the top of comparisons: Plus500 and eToro. Each brings a unique blend of features, tools, and user experiences to the table. But which one aligns best with your trading goals?
This in-depth guide breaks down every critical aspect—from product offerings and fees to safety, educational resources, and customer support—to help you determine whether Plus500 or eToro is the better fit for your trading journey.
At a Glance: Plus500 vs eToro
Before diving into details, here’s a quick snapshot of what each platform offers:
Plus500 – The CFD-Focused Powerhouse
Launched in 2008, Plus500 is a publicly traded fintech company (LSE: PLUS) and part of the FTSE 250 index. It specializes exclusively in Contracts for Difference (CFDs) across a wide range of asset classes, including forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies—subject to regional regulations.
With over 25 million users and more than $800 billion in traded value, Plus500 has built a reputation for reliability, transparency, and a streamlined trading experience.
👉 Discover a trusted platform for CFD trading today.
eToro – The Social Trading Pioneer
Founded in 2007, eToro is a multi-asset investment platform that blends traditional investing with innovative social features. It allows users to trade stocks, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies—with or without leverage—while also offering CFDs in eligible regions.
eToro is best known for its CopyTrader™ feature, which lets users automatically mirror the trades of top-performing investors. With over 30 million registered users and $7.5 billion in assets under management, it has become a go-to platform for beginner and social traders alike.
Note: CFDs are complex financial instruments with high risk due to leverage. 82% of retail accounts lose money trading CFDs on Plus500; 61% on eToro. Neither platform offers CFD trading to U.S. residents.
Product Offerings: What Can You Trade?
Plus500: Over 2,800 CFDs
Plus500 focuses solely on CFD trading, meaning you speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. Its offering includes:
- Indices (global and sector-specific)
- Forex pairs
- Commodities (gold, oil, etc.)
- Individual stocks
- ETFs
- Options
- Cryptocurrencies (as CFDs)
This makes it ideal for traders who want exposure to global markets through leveraged derivatives.
eToro: 5,000+ Instruments with Ownership Options
eToro provides access to over 5,000 financial instruments, including:
- Stocks (with fractional share purchases from $10)
- ETFs
- Commodities
- Currencies
- Cryptoassets (you can own actual coins)
- CFDs (in non-U.S. regions)
Unlike Plus500, eToro allows users to own real assets, making it suitable for long-term investors as well as short-term traders.
👉 Explore platforms that support both real asset ownership and CFD trading.
Fee Comparison: Which Platform Is Cheaper?
| Feature | Plus500 | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Commissions | 0% | 0% on stocks/ETFs; 1% on crypto trades |
| Minimum Trade | $100 | $10 (or $200 for CopyTrader) |
| Deposit Fees | None | None |
| Withdrawal Fees | $0 | $5 (waived for premium members) |
| Overnight Financing | Based on position value and funding rate | Small fee for overnight CFD positions |
| Inactivity Fee | Up to $10/month after 3 months of inactivity | $10/month after 1 year of inactivity |
| Currency Conversion Fee | Up to 0.7% on net P&L | Applies when depositing/withdrawing in non-USD currencies |
Verdict: Both platforms offer zero commissions on most trades. However, eToro’s 1% crypto fee and withdrawal cost may add up for frequent traders. Plus500’s tighter spreads and no withdrawal fees give it a slight edge in cost efficiency.
Order Types: Flexibility and Control
Both platforms support essential order types:
- Market Orders: Execute immediately at current price
- Limit Orders: Set entry/exit points
- Stop-Loss & Take-Profit Orders: Manage risk and lock in gains
However, Plus500 offers more advanced options:
- Trailing Stop Orders
- Guaranteed Stop Orders (protects against slippage at a premium)
eToro keeps things simple—ideal for beginners but less appealing to advanced traders seeking granular control.
Safety and Regulation: Are Your Funds Protected?
Plus500
Regulated by top-tier authorities including:
- FCA (UK)
- CySEC (Cyprus)
- ASIC (Australia)
- FMA (New Zealand)
- FSCA (South Africa)
Key protections:
- Client funds held in segregated accounts
- Covered by the FSCS up to £85,000
- Negative balance protection under ESMA rules
eToro
Regulated by:
- FCA, CySEC, ASIC
- FINRA & SEC (U.S.)
- AMF (France), MFSA (Malta), DNB (Netherlands)
Key protections:
- SIPC insurance up to $500,000 (securities only)
- Additional insurance via Apex Clearing up to $37.5M in securities
- Segregated client accounts
Note: Cryptocurrencies on eToro are not insured.
Both platforms are highly regulated, but eToro offers broader investor protection for stockholders—especially valuable for U.S.-based users.
Educational and Research Tools
Plus500
- Trading Academy: Video guides, eBooks, FAQs
- Economic Calendar: Track key market events
- Traders’ Sentiment: See what percentage of users are buying/selling
- Live Statistics: Real-time performance data
- Portfolio Analysis: Monitor account balance and P&L
eToro
- eToro Academy: Articles, webinars, podcasts
- Demo Account: Practice with $100,000 virtual funds
- Copy Trading: Follow and replicate expert traders
- Smart Portfolios: Pre-built diversified bundles (min. $500)
- ProCharts: Advanced technical analysis tools
- Third-party research: Integrated insights from TipRanks
eToro wins in educational depth and community-driven learning—perfect for new investors.
Global Availability
- Plus500: Available in over 50 countries
- eToro: Accessible in 76 countries, including most U.S. states (excluding NY, NV, HI, MN)
eToro has wider global reach and stronger U.S. integration—for stock and crypto trading.
Customer Support
| Platform | Support Channels | Languages |
|---|---|---|
| Plus500 | Live chat, WhatsApp, email | Up to 32 languages |
| eToro | Help center, chat, email, phone (limited access) | 19 languages |
eToro offers more direct contact options, though phone support isn’t always easy to reach. Plus500 lacks phone support entirely.
Pros and Cons Summary
Plus500: Pros
- Specialized in CFDs with over 2,800 options
- Intuitive, clean trading interface
- Strong risk management tools (guaranteed stops, negative balance protection)
- No withdrawal fees
- Regulated globally
Plus500: Cons
- No direct asset ownership
- No phone support
- Not available for U.S. CFD traders
- No third-party tool integration
eToro: Pros
- Copy trading and social investing features
- Fractional shares starting at $10
- Real asset ownership available
- Extensive educational content
- Demo account included
- Strong regulatory coverage
eToro: Cons
- Higher crypto trading fees (1%)
- Limited advanced trading tools
- Withdrawal fee ($5)
- No retirement or specialized account types
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
✅ Choose Plus500 if you:
- Focus primarily on CFD trading
- Prefer low-cost, no-frills speculation on price movements
- Value tight spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders
- Want a simple, efficient platform with strong risk controls
✅ Choose eToro if you:
- Are new to investing or enjoy learning from others
- Want to own real stocks or crypto
- Like the idea of copying expert traders automatically
- Prefer diversified portfolios and ESG-focused investing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main difference between eToro and Plus500?
The core difference lies in their product models. Plus500 is dedicated exclusively to CFD trading, while eToro offers both real asset ownership and CFDs, along with unique social trading features like CopyTrader.
Can I trade cryptocurrencies on both platforms?
Yes. On eToro, you can buy actual crypto or trade CFDs. On Plus500, you only trade crypto via CFDs—no ownership of coins.
Which platform is better for beginners?
eToro is generally better for beginners due to its intuitive design, demo account, educational resources, and copy trading functionality that reduces the learning curve.
Do both platforms offer demo accounts?
Yes. Both provide free demo accounts—eToro with $100,000 virtual funds; Plus500 also offers practice mode with real-time data.
Are eToro and Plus500 regulated?
Yes. Both are regulated by multiple international financial authorities such as CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and others depending on jurisdiction.
Which platform has more tradable assets?
While eToro offers more total instruments (~5,000+), Plus500 has more CFD-specific options, especially in forex and indices.
👉 Compare top-rated trading platforms and start your journey with confidence.