If you are interested in contracts for difference (CFD), you may be considering whether to open an account with Trading 212 or Plus500 trading app. In this article, we help you weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of both platforms, considering the products and services they offer, as well as the costs involved.
Trading 212 vs Plus500: Which is better?
| Trading 212 | Plus500 | |
| Services | Investing inshares, ETFs, CFDs, gold and cryptocurrencies Fractional shares Video guides Community forum | Trading in indices, forex, commodities, shares, options and ETF CFDs Trading alerts Risk management tools Traders' Guide Demo account 24/7 customer support |
| Products | Trading 212 CFD Trading 212 Invest Trading 212 ISA Trading 212 Pro Account | Standard account Plus500 Premium Service (invitation only) |
| Minimum investment | £1 (£10 for CFDs) | $100 (card payment), $500 (bank transfer) |
| Fees | No platform charge for ISA No fees for buying and selling shares in same currency as account 0.15% fee for trades in other currencies | No commission of transaction fees Up to 0.70% currency conversion fee Overnight funding fee Guaranteed stop order $10 inactivity fee per month after inactivity period of 3 months |
| Customer reviews (Trustpilot) | 4.6/5.0 | 4.1/5.0 |
Trading 212 vs Plus500 - services
While Plus500 solely offers CFDs, Trading 212 has a range of options, including shares (and fractional shares), ETFs, gold and cryptocurrencies. Both platforms have resources to help beginners, including video guides, which are proportionate with the level of risk for the types of investment they offer. Indeed, both platforms state that around 70% of users lose money when trading CFDs, so it is worth carefully considering if it is the right investment for you and how much you can afford to lose if you aren't successful.
Trading 212 vs Plus500 - products
Plus500 currently offers its standard account with the option to invest in different types of CFDs, including indices, forex and commodities CFDs. It also has a premium service, which is free but operates on an invitation-only basis. For Trading 212, its CFD account is complemented by the broader "Invest" account, as well as an ISA and a "Pro" account. Interestingly, there isn't a platform charge for Trading 212's ISA, which is unusual for investment platforms and could be appealing to investors looking to minimise cost.
Trading 212 vs Plus500 - minimum investment
Trading 212 has a much smaller minimum investment requirement than Plus500, with users able to open an account with as little as £1, or £10 for CFDs. With Plus500, the minimum initial deposit is $100 if you make the payment with a card, or $500 if you pay via a bank transfer.
Trading 212 vs Plus500 - fees
Neither Trading 212 or Plus500 charges commission for buying or selling and instead earns money on the "spread" between the buy and sell price of the instrument that's being traded. They also both charge a fee for currency conversion, with Trading 212 charging 0.15% and Plus500 0.70% for trades in a different currency from the one the account is in. In addition, Plus500 charges overnight funding fees and guaranteed stop orders, as well as a $10 per month inactivity fee.
Trading 212 doesn't charge a platform fee for its ISA, which means it stacks up well against other platforms, although, as with all investments, you need to factor in the costs associated with the underlying holdings.
Trading 212 vs Plus500 - customer reviews
Plus500 is rated as Great", with 4.1 out of 5.0 stars, according to around 13,000 reviews on customer review site Trustpilot. Trading 212 is even more highly rated, with 4.6 out of 5.0 stars, based on over 30,000 reviews. Of those, 77% think the company is "Excellent". Both platforms are rated highly for their ease of use, customer service and the support they give to beginners.
Summary: Trading 212 vs Plus500
If you are looking specifically for CFDs, Plus500 has a broader choice as it is its central focus. However, Trading 212 has CFDs, as well as other investment options and, what is more, it also has an ISA, which allows you to invest in a tax-efficient way. It's also worth noting the disparity between the minimum investment needed to open an account with each platform, with Plus500 requiring a much larger initial deposit.
For a more detailed analysis of each, read our Trading 212 review and Plus500 review.
