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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #30 · Editorial rating 8.7 / 10 · Founded 1977
HYCM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering access to a broad range of currency pairs and other markets on MetaTrader platforms. It provides flexible account types, education and research resources,…
Read the HYCM review
Trust rank #3 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 2008
Plus500 is a regulated forex and CFD broker offering broad access to currency pairs and other markets on a proprietary web and mobile platform. It provides built-in charting, order types, and risk…
Read the Plus500 reviewHYCM (United Kingdom, founded 1977) holds 4 regulatory licences (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our medium-fee bracket. Plus500 (Israel, founded 2008) holds 11 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA…), 6 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 205 countries; HYCM is available in 0 countries where Plus500 is not, and Plus500 in 26 where HYCM is not.
Scored on 9 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.
| Criteria | HYCM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | 8.7 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Trust rank | #30 | #3 |
| Founded | 1977 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Israel |
| Regulators | CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA | ASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FMA, FSA Seychelles, FSCA, ISA, MAS, NFA |
| Broker type | Market Maker, STP | Market Maker |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 205 countries | 231 countries |
| Fee level | Medium | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading, Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Professional Trading, Retail Trading |
Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.
Available at both (205): Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica and 165 more.
Only Plus500 (26): Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, South Sudan, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda and 1 more.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
Plus500 holds more regulatory licences: HYCM (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA) versus Plus500 (ASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FMA, FSA Seychelles, FSCA, ISA, MAS, NFA). Tier-1 licences: HYCM 1, Plus500 6.
HYCM offers MT4, MT5; Plus500 offers Proprietary.
Plus500 is in the lower fee bracket (medium vs low) in our catalogue.
HYCM is the older of the two, founded in 1977; Plus500 was founded in 2008.
They overlap in 205 countries. HYCM is additionally available in 0 countries () and Plus500 in 26 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada and 20 more).
Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.