Plus500

Plus500

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
7.8
/ 10
vs
ThinkMarkets

ThinkMarkets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.3
/ 10

Plus500 vs ThinkMarkets

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

Plus500 and ThinkMarkets are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Plus500, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Haifa, Israel, is regulated by FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS and offers spreads starting from 0.8 pips with a minimum deposit of $100. ThinkMarkets, established in 2010 in London, UK, holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $0 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, ThinkMarkets scored 8.3/10 overall compared to Plus500's 7.8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Plus500 holds its own with smoother deposits & withdrawals, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • 📊

    ThinkMarkets scores 8.3/10 overall vs 7.8/10 for Plus500 — a 0.5-point difference.

  • 💵

    ThinkMarkets requires just $0 to start, while Plus500 needs $100 — ThinkMarkets is 100x more accessible.

  • 📈

    ThinkMarkets offers 4,000+ instruments vs 2,800+ at Plus500 — a notable difference in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    Plus500 runs on Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 App, while ThinkMarkets uses MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

  • The biggest gap is in Education: ThinkMarkets scores 7.5 vs 5.5 for Plus500 — a 2.0-point difference.

Our Verdict

Plus500

Plus500

Score: 7.8/10 · Wins 1 categories
  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer Plus500's trading environment overall
🏆 WINNER
ThinkMarkets

ThinkMarkets

Score: 8.3/10 · Wins 5 categories
  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Responsive customer support matters to you

ThinkMarkets takes the lead with an overall score of 8.3/10 compared to 7.8/10, winning in 5 out of 8 scoring categories. ThinkMarkets stands out for lower trading costs and better trading platforms, while Plus500 fights back with smoother deposits & withdrawals.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, ThinkMarkets comes out ahead with a 8.3/10 overall rating, winning 5 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 9.0/10. ThinkMarkets holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Plus500 is not without merit — it scores 7.8/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (9.0/10), winning 1 category. Traders who value smoother deposits & withdrawals may find Plus500 the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full ThinkMarkets review and Plus500 review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

Plus500
ThinkMarkets
Trading Costs
7.5 8.0

ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points

Platforms & Tools
7.0 8.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 1.5 points

Regulation & Trust
9.0 9.0
Education
5.5 7.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 2.0 points

Customer Service
7.0 8.0

ThinkMarkets wins by 1.0 points

Research & Analysis
6.5 7.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 1.0 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
8.5 8.0

Plus500 wins by 0.5 points

Product Range
8.0 8.0

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
7.8/10
8.3/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$100
$0
Max Leverage
1:300
1:500
Spreads From
0.8 pips
0.0 pips
Platforms
Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 App
MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader
Regulation
FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS
ASIC, FCA, CySEC
Founded
Older track record highlighted
2008
2010
Markets
2,800+
4,000+
Plus500: 0 ThinkMarkets: 1
💰

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (7.5 vs 8.0)

When it comes to trading costs, ThinkMarkets has the edge with a score of 8/10 versus 7.5/10 for Plus500. Plus500 offers spreads starting from 0.8 pips, while ThinkMarkets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Plus500 is $100, compared to $0 at ThinkMarkets. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.

Plus500
7.5
ThinkMarkets
8.0
Plus500: 0 ThinkMarkets: 2
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (7.0 vs 8.5)

ThinkMarkets scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 7/10 for Plus500. Plus500 provides Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 App, while ThinkMarkets offers MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.

Plus500
7.0
ThinkMarkets
8.5
Plus500: 0 ThinkMarkets: 2
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Plus500 is regulated by FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS (Tier 1), while ThinkMarkets holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC (Tier 1). Plus500 scores 9/10 and ThinkMarkets scores 9/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.

Plus500
9.0
ThinkMarkets
9.0
Plus500: 0 ThinkMarkets: 3
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (5.5 vs 7.5)

For learning resources, ThinkMarkets leads with 7.5/10 compared to 5.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Plus500 and ThinkMarkets both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.

Plus500
5.5
ThinkMarkets
7.5
Plus500: 0 ThinkMarkets: 4
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (7.0 vs 8.0)

Plus500 offers 24/7 Live Chat, Email and scores 7/10, while ThinkMarkets provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.

Plus500
7.0
ThinkMarkets
8.0
Plus500: 1 ThinkMarkets: 4
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: Plus500 (8.5 vs 8.0)

Plus500 scores 8.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while ThinkMarkets scores 8/10. Plus500 accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, Skrill, and ThinkMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Plus500 requires a minimum deposit of $100 versus $0 for ThinkMarkets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

Plus500
8.5
ThinkMarkets
8.0

Which Broker Is Right for You?

Plus500

Choose Plus500 if you...

  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer Plus500's trading environment overall
Visit Plus500
ThinkMarkets

Choose ThinkMarkets if you...

  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Responsive customer support matters to you
Visit ThinkMarkets

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plus500 better than ThinkMarkets?

ThinkMarkets scores higher overall (8.3/10 vs 7.8/10), winning 5 of 8 categories. However, Plus500 is stronger in smoother deposits & withdrawals. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, Plus500 or ThinkMarkets?

ThinkMarkets scores higher for trading costs. Plus500 offers spreads from 0.8 pips with a $100 minimum deposit, while ThinkMarkets starts from 0.0 pips with $0 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is Plus500 safe to trade with?

Plus500 is regulated by FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS and scores 9/10 for regulation. ThinkMarkets is regulated by ASIC, FCA, CySEC with a score of 9/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, Plus500 or ThinkMarkets?

ThinkMarkets scores 8.5/10 for platforms. Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 App, while ThinkMarkets provides MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for Plus500 vs ThinkMarkets?

Plus500 requires a minimum deposit of $100, while ThinkMarkets requires $0. ThinkMarkets has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.

Ready to Start Trading?

Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.

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