Markets.com vs Plus500 (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

Markets.com

Trust rank #18 · Founded 2008

Markets.com is a well‐regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad access to currency pairs and multi‐asset CFDs on intuitive web and mobile platforms. It provides built‐in research, education, and risk management tools…

Read the Markets.com review

Plus500

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 review

Markets.com (Cyprus, founded 2008) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-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 175 countries; Markets.com is available in 0 countries where Plus500 is not, and Plus500 in 56 where Markets.com is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • Markets.com leads on platform choice.
  • Plus500 leads on trust rank, regulatory coverage, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on track record, instrument range and fee level.

Scored on 8 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.

Markets.com vs Plus500: side-by-side data

CriteriaMarkets.comPlus500
Editorial ratingNot verified10 / 10
Trust rank#18#3
Founded20082008
HeadquartersCyprusIsrael
RegulatorsASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FMA, FSA Seychelles, FSCA, ISA, MAS, NFA
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, MT5, ProprietaryProprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted175 countries231 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesRetail TradingProfessional 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.

Pros

Markets.com

  • Multi-jurisdiction tier-1 regulation (FCA/ASIC) + segregated client funds
  • MT4/MT5 and proprietary platforms with advanced analytics
  • 2,000+ instruments including 50+ forex pairs
  • Integrated research, sentiment, and economic calendar tools
  • Negative balance protection for retail clients

Plus500

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation and segregated client funds
  • Commission-free FX trading with competitive spreads
  • Negative balance protection and advanced risk tools
  • Intuitive WebTrader and mobile apps
  • Broad FX pair selection

Cons

Markets.com

  • No raw/commission pricing; wider spreads
  • Not available to U.S. clients
  • Protections vary by entity; weaker safeguards offshore
  • No cTrader or DMA/ECN access
  • Currency conversion fees apply

Plus500

  • Market-maker execution (no ECN/STP/DMA)
  • Proprietary platform only (no MetaTrader/cTrader)
  • No algorithmic/API trading support
  • No commission-based raw-spread accounts
  • Inactivity fee after inactivity

Key features

Markets.com

  • Multi jurisdiction regulation and client fund segregation
  • Forex and CFD trading across major asset classes
  • Proprietary web and mobile platforms with MT4 and MT5
  • Advanced research sentiment and event tools
  • Negative balance protection and risk management
  • Spread betting for UK clients

Plus500

  • Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Shares ETFs Options and Crypto
  • Proprietary WebTrader platform on web and mobile advanced charting alerts and sentiment
  • Top tier regulation segregated client funds and FTSE 250 listed parent company
  • Risk management Guaranteed Stop Orders Trailing Stops and Negative Balance Protection
  • Commission free spread only pricing with overnight funding and conversion fees
  • Free unlimited demo account and 24 7 multilingual support

Country availability: Markets.com vs Plus500

Available at both (175): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czechia, Côte d'Ivoire and 135 more.

Only Plus500 (56): American Samoa, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Guam, Haiti, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Macao, Maldives, Mali, Micronesia and 31 more.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

Markets.com vs Plus500: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Markets.com or Plus500?

Plus500 holds more regulatory licences: Markets.com (ASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA) versus Plus500 (ASIC, CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FMA, FSA Seychelles, FSCA, ISA, MAS, NFA). Tier-1 licences: Markets.com 2, Plus500 6.

Which trading platforms do Markets.com and Plus500 offer?

Markets.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary; Plus500 offers Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, Markets.com or Plus500?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, Markets.com or Plus500?

Markets.com is the older of the two, founded in 2008; Plus500 was founded in 2008.

Are Markets.com and Plus500 available in the same countries?

They overlap in 175 countries. Markets.com is additionally available in 0 countries () and Plus500 in 56 countries (American Samoa, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize and 50 more).

Keep comparing

Markets.com

Plus500

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.