ThinkMarkets

ThinkMarkets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.3
/ 10
vs
Plus500

Plus500

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
7.8
/ 10

ThinkMarkets vs Plus500

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

ThinkMarkets and Plus500 are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010 and headquartered in London, UK, is regulated by ASIC, FCA, CySEC and offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips with a minimum deposit of $0. Plus500, established in 2008 in Haifa, Israel, holds licenses from FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS with spreads from 0.8 pips and a $100 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.

  • 🖥️

    ThinkMarkets runs on MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader, while Plus500 uses Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 App — 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

🏆 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
Plus500

Plus500

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

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

ThinkMarkets
Plus500
Trading Costs
8.0 7.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points

Platforms & Tools
8.5 7.0

ThinkMarkets wins by 1.5 points

Regulation & Trust
9.0 9.0
Education
7.5 5.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 2.0 points

Customer Service
8.0 7.0

ThinkMarkets wins by 1.0 points

Research & Analysis
7.5 6.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 1.0 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
8.0 8.5

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

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (8.0 vs 7.5)

When it comes to trading costs, ThinkMarkets has the edge with a score of 8/10 versus 7.5/10 for Plus500. ThinkMarkets offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips, while Plus500 starts from 0.8 pips. The minimum deposit at ThinkMarkets is $0, compared to $100 at Plus500. 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.

ThinkMarkets
8.0
Plus500
7.5
ThinkMarkets: 2 Plus500: 0
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (8.5 vs 7.0)

ThinkMarkets scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 7/10 for Plus500. ThinkMarkets provides MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader, while Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 App. 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.

ThinkMarkets
8.5
Plus500
7.0
ThinkMarkets: 2 Plus500: 0
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. ThinkMarkets is regulated by ASIC, FCA, CySEC (Tier 1), while Plus500 holds licenses from FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS (Tier 1). ThinkMarkets scores 9/10 and Plus500 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.

ThinkMarkets
9.0
Plus500
9.0
ThinkMarkets: 3 Plus500: 0
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (7.5 vs 5.5)

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. ThinkMarkets and Plus500 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.

ThinkMarkets
7.5
Plus500
5.5
ThinkMarkets: 4 Plus500: 0
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (8.0 vs 7.0)

ThinkMarkets offers 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 8/10, while Plus500 provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email with a score of 7/10. 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.

ThinkMarkets
8.0
Plus500
7.0
ThinkMarkets: 4 Plus500: 1
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: Plus500 (8.0 vs 8.5)

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

ThinkMarkets
8.0
Plus500
8.5

Which Broker Is Right for You?

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
Plus500

Choose Plus500 if you...

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

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ThinkMarkets better than Plus500?

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, ThinkMarkets or Plus500?

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

Is ThinkMarkets safe to trade with?

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

Which has better trading platforms, ThinkMarkets or Plus500?

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

What's the minimum deposit for ThinkMarkets vs Plus500?

ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit of $0, while Plus500 requires $100. 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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