AvaTrade vs Plus500
Two popular CFD brokers compared. Which platform better serves your trading needs?
At a Glance
Key differences between AvaTrade and Plus500 at a glance.
Choose AvaTrade If You Want:
- Industry-standard platforms (MT4/MT5)
- Comprehensive education resources
- Copy trading capabilities
- Automated trading (EAs)
- Up to $10,000 welcome bonus
Choose Plus500 If You Want:
- Simple, easy-to-use platform
- Publicly traded company transparency
- Guaranteed stop-loss orders
- More instruments (2,800+)
- Lower inactivity fees
Deep Dive Platform Philosophy: Professional vs Simple The fundamental difference between AvaTrade and Plus500 comes down to platform philosophy. AvaTrade embraces the professional trading ecosystem with MT4/MT5 support. Plus500 built their own simplified platform and doubled down on ease of use.
AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and their own WebTrader/mobile apps. This gives you access to thousands of custom indicators, automated trading strategies (Expert Advisors), and a platform used by professionals worldwide. The learning curve is steeper, but the capabilities are far greater.
Plus500 developed their own proprietary platform focused purely on simplicity. No clutter, no complex charting tools, no automation. You see the price, you click buy or sell. For casual traders who want exposure without complexity, this works well. For anyone wanting to develop as a trader, it's limiting.
If you're planning to trade seriously over years, AvaTrade's platform flexibility is valuable. Skills learned on MT4 transfer to any broker. Plus500's platform skills are non-transferable — you'd start from scratch if you ever switched. This matters more than most comparisons mention.
Overview Comparison
Key features and capabilities side-by-side.
Comparison Table
Compare features, pricing, or specifications
| Feature | AvaTrade | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2008 | AvaTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
| Instruments | 1,250+ | 2,800+ | Plus500 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, WebTrader, AvaTradeGO | Proprietary only | AvaTrade |
| Education | Comprehensive | Basic | AvaTrade |
| Listed Company | No | Yes (LSE) | Plus500 |
| Our Rating | 4.2/5 | 4/5 | AvaTrade |
Fees & Costs Comparison
Trading costs breakdown for both brokers.
Comparison Table
Compare features, pricing, or specifications
| Fee Type | AvaTrade | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.9 pips | 0.6 pips (variable) | Plus500* |
| Commission | No | No | Tie |
| Overnight Fee | Standard swap | Funding rate | Similar |
| Withdrawal Fee | 1 free/month | Free | Tie |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/quarter | $10/month | Plus500 |
| Guaranteed Stop | No | Yes (fee applies) | Plus500 |
Deep Dive Variable vs Stable Spreads — The True Cost Difference Plus500 advertises lower spreads, but there's a catch: they're highly variable. During calm markets (Asian session, midweek), Plus500 may indeed offer 0.6 pip EUR/USD spreads compared to AvaTrade's 0.9 pips. On these trades, Plus500 is cheaper.
When NFP releases, central bank announcements happen, or markets spike — Plus500 spreads can jump to 3-5+ pips temporarily. AvaTrade's spreads also widen but typically less dramatically because they use fixed-spread account types.
Plus500 offers guaranteed stop orders — your stop will execute at exactly your specified price regardless of slippage or gaps. This costs extra (built into the spread), but provides certainty. AvaTrade doesn't offer this, so your stops may slip during gaps.
Plus500 wins on inactivity fees: $10/month after 3 months vs AvaTrade's $50/quarter after 3 months. If you trade sporadically, Plus500 charges less for dormant accounts. However, if you're active, this is irrelevant.
For an active day trader executing 10 standard lots per week on forex, AvaTrade's consistent spreads likely cost about the same as Plus500 in the long run — volatility spikes on Plus500 offset their base spread advantage.
Trading Platforms
Platform availability and capabilities compared.
AvaTrade Platforms
MetaTrader 4
Industry standard with EAs, custom indicators, mobile trading
Most PopularMetaTrader 5
More timeframes, better backtesting, multi-asset support
AvaTradeGO
Proprietary mobile app with AvaProtect risk management
WebTrader
Browser-based, no downloads required
Copy Trading
DupliTrade and ZuluTrade integration
Plus500 Platform
Plus500 WebTrader
Simple, clean interface focused on ease of use
Proprietary OnlyPlus500 Mobile App
Full-featured mobile trading, mirrors web platform
Well-RatedLimitations:
- No MT4/MT5 support
- No automated trading (EAs)
- No copy trading
- Limited charting tools
- No custom indicators
Deep Dive The Hidden Cost of Platform Lock-in Choosing Plus500 means accepting their platform exclusively. This has implications most traders don't consider. MT4/MT5 skills transfer across hundreds of brokers worldwide. Plus500 platform skills are useful only on Plus500.
If you spend a year learning Plus500's interface, then decide you need MT4 features, you're starting over. On MT4 (via AvaTrade), you can run automated strategies, backtest systems over decades of data, use custom indicators from a massive community, and execute based on precise technical signals. On Plus500, you click buttons manually. For systematic trading, this is the difference between a calculator and pencil math.
If you just want to occasionally speculate on Tesla's stock price or catch Bitcoin moves without learning complex platforms — Plus500's simplicity is genuinely useful. Not everyone needs MT4. But if there's any chance you'll want more sophisticated tools later, starting with AvaTrade saves the platform transition.
Regulation & Safety
Regulatory oversight and client fund protection compared.
AvaTrade Regulation
6+ Regulatory Licenses
- Central Bank of Ireland
- FCA (UK)
- ASIC (Australia)
- JFSA (Japan)
- CySEC (Cyprus)
- FSCA (South Africa)
Plus500 Regulation
4 Regulatory Licenses + LSE Listed
- FCA (UK)
- ASIC (Australia)
- CySEC (Cyprus)
- ISA (Israel)
- LSE Listed (Public Company)
Deep Dive Public Company vs Private — Does It Matter? Plus500 being publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange is often cited as a safety advantage. They must publish quarterly financial reports, annual statements, and material announcements. Their financials are audited. This transparency is valuable — you can literally check their balance sheet and see how much cash they hold.
AvaTrade holds more regulatory licenses across more jurisdictions. Each regulator adds oversight. The Central Bank of Ireland (AvaTrade's primary regulator) is arguably stricter than CySEC (Plus500's primary for EU). More licenses = more regulatory oversight.
Let's be clear: both brokers are well-regulated, established, and safe for retail trading. Neither is likely to run off with your money. The differences are in degree of transparency (Plus500 wins) vs breadth of regulation (AvaTrade wins).
Both offer segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to compensation schemes (FSCS in UK, etc.). In practice, your funds are similarly protected at either broker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AvaTrade or Plus500 better for beginners?
AvaTrade is better for beginners who want to learn trading. They offer comprehensive educational resources, demo accounts, and multiple platform options including MT4 which has extensive learning resources online. Plus500 has a simpler interface which some beginners prefer, but limited educational content.
Which has lower spreads, AvaTrade or Plus500?
Plus500 advertises tighter spreads (0.6 pips on EUR/USD vs 0.9 pips for AvaTrade), but Plus500 spreads are variable and can widen significantly during volatile markets. AvaTrade's spreads tend to be more stable. For consistent costs, AvaTrade may actually be cheaper during news events.
Can I use MT4 with Plus500?
No, Plus500 only offers their proprietary platform and mobile app. If you want to use MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, you'll need to choose AvaTrade or another broker that supports these industry-standard platforms.
Is Plus500 safer because it's publicly listed?
Being listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) does add a layer of transparency as Plus500 must publish regular financial reports. However, both brokers are well-regulated by tier-1 authorities. AvaTrade has more regulatory licenses (6+ vs 3-4), which some traders prefer.
Which broker offers better customer support?
AvaTrade generally offers better customer support with phone, email, and live chat available. Plus500 relies more heavily on email support and their help center. AvaTrade also provides dedicated account managers for larger accounts.
Do either offer copy trading?
AvaTrade offers copy trading through DupliTrade and ZuluTrade integrations. Plus500 does not offer any copy trading or social trading features. If copy trading interests you, AvaTrade is the clear choice.
Which is better for automated trading?
AvaTrade, by a significant margin. They support MT4 and MT5 which allow Expert Advisors (automated trading bots). Plus500's proprietary platform does not support any form of automated trading or algorithmic strategies.
Does either broker offer a welcome bonus?
AvaTrade offers a welcome bonus of up to $10,000 with partner code 128979 (terms apply, regional restrictions may exist). Plus500 occasionally offers promotional credits but doesn't have a consistent bonus program.
Final Verdict: AvaTrade Wins Overall
AvaTrade Wins If:
- You want to learn proper trading skills
- MT4/MT5 platforms matter to you
- You want copy trading options
- Education resources are important
- You want the $10K welcome bonus
Plus500 Wins If:
- Simplicity is your top priority
- You want a publicly traded broker
- You need guaranteed stop orders
- You're a casual, occasional trader
- You don't need MT4 or automation
Our Recommendation Why We Recommend AvaTrade For most traders reading this comparison, AvaTrade is the better choice. Trading is a journey — you might start simple but eventually want more tools. AvaTrade grows with you, from basic manual trading to sophisticated automated strategies. Plus500 is the same platform whether you're day one or year five.
AvaTrade's educational resources (webinars, tutorials, trading guides) help you improve faster. Plus500 has minimal education — you're largely on your own. For long-term development, AvaTrade's resources add significant value.
AvaTrade's welcome bonus of up to $10,000 with partner code 128979 provides meaningful starting capital. Plus500 doesn't offer comparable bonuses. For new traders, this extra capital can make a real difference.
If you specifically want the simplest possible interface, don't plan to use MT4 ever, and value Plus500's public company transparency — it's a fine broker. Just know what you're giving up in platform capabilities.
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