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Kraken vs Plus500

An in-depth comparison to help you choose the right broker for your trading journey.

1:1Head to Head
RealTesting
2026Updated
CATEGORY WINS

Who Wins Each Category?

Our scores for Kraken and Plus500, side by side, across the categories that decide your costs and safety.

FeesKraken: 4.2/5vsPlus500: 4/5Kraken wins
SafetyKraken: 4.9/5vsPlus500: 4.5/5Kraken wins
PlatformsKraken: 4/5vsPlus500: 3.8/5Kraken wins
EducationKraken: 3.8/5vsPlus500: 3.2/5Kraken wins
Customer SupportKraken: 4/5vsPlus500: 3.8/5Kraken wins
QUICK VERDICT

Who Wins?

Kraken wins on overall score (4.2/5 vs 4/5). Kraken is the pick if you value security-conscious investors; choose Plus500 if you value beginners. The tables below show where each actually wins.

Who this is for: Kraken suits traders who prioritise security-conscious investors; Plus500 suits traders who prioritise beginners.

4.2/5
Best for: Security-conscious investors
Visit KrakenRead the Kraken Review
VS
HEAD-TO-HEAD

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature
Overall Rating
4.2/5
4/5
Minimum Deposit
$10
$100
Spreads From
0.16%
0.6 pips
Max Leverage
Up to 5x
Up to 30:1 (EU)
Instruments
200+ Cryptos
2,800+
Fees Score
4.2/5
4/5
Platforms Score
4/5
3.8/5
Education Score
3.8/5
3.2/5
Safety Score
4.9/5
4.5/5
Platforms
Kraken Pro, Kraken App, Kraken Web
Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App
Founded
2011
2008
Headquarters
San Francisco, United States
Haifa, Israel
KEY DIFFERENCES

What Actually Differs

The numbers that matter when choosing between Kraken and Plus500.

Minimum depositKraken: $10Plus500: $100Kraken needs less to start.
RegulatorsKraken: 2 (FinCEN, FCA)Plus500: 3 (FCA, ASIC)...Plus500 is licensed in more jurisdictions.
InstrumentsKraken: 200+ CryptosPlus500: 2,800+Plus500 offers more markets.
PlatformsKraken: Kraken Pro, Kraken App, Kraken WebPlus500: Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile AppNo shared platforms.
Best forKraken: Security-conscious investorsPlus500: BeginnersDifferent fits. Read the verdict below.
ANALYSIS

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • + Industry-leading security (never hacked)
  • + Proof of reserves audits
  • + Strong regulatory compliance (US-based)
  • + Competitive fees with volume discounts
  • + Staking available for 15+ assets

Cons

  • - Fewer altcoins than Binance
  • - Higher fees than some competitors
  • - Limited margin trading options
  • - Interface less intuitive for beginners
Open Kraken Account

Pros

  • + Publicly traded company (LSE)
  • + Simple intuitive platform
  • + No commissions
  • + Wide instrument range
  • + Negative balance protection

Cons

  • - Limited research tools
  • - No MetaTrader support
  • - Basic charting
  • - No copy trading
Open Plus500 Account
RECOMMENDATION

Which Broker Should You Choose?

Choose

If you:

  • Security-conscious investors
  • US traders
  • Long-term holders
  • Staking enthusiasts
Visit Kraken
Choose

If you:

  • Beginners
  • Casual traders
  • Mobile traders
Visit Plus500
FAQ

Kraken vs Plus500: FAQ

Which is better, Kraken or Plus500?

Overall, Kraken scores 4.2/5 and Plus500 scores 4/5. The right pick depends on what you value: Kraken for security-conscious investors, Plus500 for beginners.

Which is cheaper, Kraken or Plus500?

On our fees score, Kraken is 4.2/5 and Plus500 is 4/5. Kraken advertises spreads from 0.16%, Plus500 from 0.6 pips. Check the fee rows above for the full picture, because headline spreads are not the bill.

Which is safer, Kraken or Plus500?

Kraken holds 2 licence(s), including FinCEN, FCA. Plus500 holds 3 licence(s), including FCA, ASIC, CySEC. More Tier 1 regulators means more client protection schemes. Verify any licence at the regulator register before depositing.

Which has more markets, Kraken or Plus500?

Kraken offers 200+ Cryptos, Plus500 offers 2,800+. Choose the range that covers what you actually trade.

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