When it comes to choosing a reliable online broker for trading stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs, two platforms frequently stand out: eToro and Plus500. Both have established strong reputations over the years, offering access to a wide range of financial instruments. But which one is better suited to your trading goals?
This comprehensive comparison dives into the key aspects of both platforms—ranging from fees and asset offerings to user experience and security—so you can make an informed decision. We’ll also explore unique features like copy trading and leveraged CFDs, helping you determine whether eToro or Plus500 aligns best with your investment strategy.
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Overview: eToro vs Plus500
To evaluate which platform performs better, we analyze the following categories:
- Asset Offerings
- Fees & Transparency
- Deposits & Withdrawals
- Security & Regulation
- Customer Support
- User Experience
- Trading Tools & Features
- Account Types & Demo Access
- Copy Trading Capability
- CFD and Leveraged Trading
Let’s begin by understanding what each platform is and how they operate.
What Is eToro?
Founded in 2007 in Israel, eToro started as a forex broker before expanding into stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. A pioneer in social investing, eToro allows users to observe, interact with, and automatically copy trades from experienced investors—a feature known as copy trading.
The platform supports both real asset ownership (like buying actual shares or holding crypto) and CFD trading. This dual approach makes eToro appealing to both long-term investors and active traders.
eToro operates under multiple regulatory bodies globally, including CySEC in Cyprus, ensuring compliance with European financial standards. With offices in the UK, US, Australia, and Hong Kong, it serves millions of users worldwide.
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What Is Plus500?
Launched in 2008, also in Israel, Plus500 is primarily a CFD-focused broker. It went public on the London Stock Exchange in 2013 and currently holds a market capitalization of over $2 billion.
Unlike eToro, Plus500 specializes almost exclusively in contracts for difference (CFDs)—derivative products that allow speculation on price movements without owning the underlying asset. While this enables high-leverage trading, it also increases risk significantly.
Recently, Plus500 introduced limited access to real stock trading through its "Plus500 Invest" service. However, CFDs remain the core offering across thousands of assets including forex pairs, indices, commodities, and cryptos.
Regulated by CySEC and offering investor protection up to €20,000 under the EU framework, Plus500 maintains solid credibility despite its narrow focus.
Asset Offerings: Real Assets vs CFDs
Both platforms are multi-asset brokers, but their approaches differ:
- eToro: Offers real stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies (including NFTs), forex, commodities, and indices—available either as physical assets or CFDs.
- Plus500: Primarily offers CFDs on similar assets. Real stock trading is only available via Plus500 Invest and is currently limited in scope.
For traders seeking flexibility between ownership and speculation, eToro wins clearly. Its ability to buy real crypto and stocks appeals to conservative investors, while CFD options cater to aggressive traders.
Plus500’s strength lies in depth rather than breadth—offering tighter spreads on certain CFDs due to specialization.
Fees & Cost Transparency
Cost efficiency matters—especially for frequent traders.
| Feature | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock/ETF Trading Fee | 0% commission | Not applicable (CFD-only model) |
| Crypto Transaction Fee | 1% spread | Built into spread |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 12 months | $10/month after 3 months |
| Deposit Fees | Free (all methods) | Free (all methods) |
| Withdrawal Fee | $5 | No published fee |
eToro stands out with transparent pricing—especially its zero-commission stock trades. While crypto trades carry a 1% spread, this is standard across many platforms.
Plus500 does not publish exact spreads upfront; instead, they appear during trade execution. This lack of transparency may concern some users. Additionally, its shorter inactivity window (3 months vs 12) could penalize casual investors faster.
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Deposits & Withdrawals
Both platforms support:
- Bank transfer (SEPA)
- Credit/debit card
- PayPal
- Sofort (instant banking)
Minimum deposits:
- eToro: $50
- Plus500: €100
Withdrawal processing times are similar (1–5 business days), though eToro charges a flat $5 fee per withdrawal.
Overall, both perform well—but eToro edges ahead with lower entry barriers and clearer fee disclosure.
Security & Regulation
Both eToro and Plus500 are regulated by CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) and fall under the European Investor Compensation Scheme, protecting client funds up to €20,000 in case of insolvency.
Additionally:
- eToro uses segregated client accounts and advanced encryption.
- Plus500 benefits from being a publicly listed company, adding transparency through regular financial reporting.
Both are secure choices for European traders.
Customer Support
Support quality impacts user satisfaction during technical or account issues.
Both platforms offer:
- Email support
- Live chat
- Comprehensive help centers
User reviews on Trustpilot show generally positive ratings for both, with slight advantages for Plus500 in responsiveness. However, eToro’s multilingual support and community forums add value for international users.
Verdict: Tie.
User Experience & Interface
First impressions matter—and here, opinions diverge.
- eToro: The interface feels cluttered initially. New users often need guidance to navigate features like portfolios, watchlists, and social feeds. However, once familiarized, the layout becomes intuitive.
- Plus500: Clean design with step-by-step onboarding. But dense data presentation can overwhelm beginners.
Mobile apps for both are highly rated on iOS and Android, offering seamless trading on the go.
While neither platform is perfectly intuitive for novices, both improve with use.
Trading Tools & Features
Advanced tools enhance decision-making:
- eToro: Provides expert market analysis, built-in news feeds, technical charting tools (via TradingView integration), and social sentiment indicators.
- Plus500: Offers basic charting and real-time price alerts but lacks deeper analytical content.
eToro’s inclusion of educational resources and trader sentiment metrics gives it an edge for informed trading decisions.
Account Types & Demo Access
Both offer:
- Free demo accounts (with virtual funds)
- Quick registration (under 5 minutes)
- Instant login after sign-up
Demo accounts mirror live environments exactly—ideal for testing strategies risk-free.
Another tie—but a welcome one for new traders wanting hands-on practice.
Copy Trading: A Game-Changer?
Only eToro offers true copy trading, allowing users to automatically replicate trades of top-performing investors. This feature is ideal for beginners lacking time or expertise.
You select a trader based on performance history, risk score, and drawdown levels. Once copied, all future trades execute automatically in your portfolio.
Plus500 has no equivalent feature—making it less suitable for passive or social investors.
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CFD & Leveraged Trading Performance
For experienced traders focused on short-term gains:
Plus500 excels. As a dedicated CFD broker, it offers:
- Advanced order types (stop-loss, take-profit)
- Real-time position management
- Market sentiment dashboards showing % of traders long/short
- Tighter spreads on popular instruments
- eToro supports CFDs, but with fewer analytical insights and less customization.
If your goal is active leveraged trading, Plus500 is the stronger choice.
Final Verdict: Who Wins?
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Asset Variety | eToro |
| Fee Transparency | eToro |
| Security | Tie |
| Support | Tie |
| User Experience | Tie |
| Trading Tools | eToro |
| Copy Trading | eToro |
| CFD Focus | Plus500 |
| Overall Winner | eToro |
While Plus500 dominates in pure CFD execution, eToro emerges as the more versatile and beginner-friendly platform, especially for those interested in long-term investing or social trading.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is eToro better than Plus500?
Yes, for most users. eToro offers greater flexibility with real asset ownership, zero-commission stock trading, copy trading, and stronger educational tools—making it ideal for beginners and diversified investors.
Can I trade real stocks on Plus500?
Limited real stock trading is available via Plus500 Invest, but the main platform focuses on CFDs. For full ownership of equities, eToro is a better option.
Is copy trading safe?
Copy trading carries risks—it replicates both wins and losses. However, eToro provides detailed performance metrics and risk scores for each trader, helping you make informed choices. Always diversify across multiple investors.
Which platform has lower fees?
eToro has clearer and generally lower fees—especially for stock and ETF trades (0% commission). Plus500’s spreads aren’t disclosed upfront, making cost prediction harder.
Is CFD trading allowed in the US?
No. Neither eToro nor Plus500 offers CFDs to US residents due to regulatory restrictions. US users can only trade real stocks and ETFs on eToro; Plus500 is not available in the US at all.
Are my funds safe on these platforms?
Yes. Both are regulated by CySEC and participate in the European Investor Compensation Scheme (up to €20,000 protection). Client funds are held in segregated accounts.