IG Markets vs Plus500 (2026) — Which Is Better?
Compare IG Markets and Plus500 — features, pricing, pros and cons.
This comparison uses first-party sources linked inline. Time-sensitive details (fees, promotions, plan limits) can shift — verify with each provider before signing up. Methodology →
At-a-Glance
Higher Rated
IG Markets (4.3)
More Affordable
IG Markets (Free)
IG Markets
World's largest CFD and spread betting provider with 17,000+ markets, ProRealTime charting, and 50 years of trading heritage.
Plus500
Plus500 is a regulated CFD broker offering commission-free trading on forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto via a simple proprietary platform.
Spread, Regulation & Feature Breakdown
| Feature | IG Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 3.8 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Markets | forex, stocks, crypto, futures, options | forex, stocks, indices, commodities, crypto, etfs, options |
| AI Analysis | ✗ | ✗ |
| Backtesting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Paper Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price Alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Social Features | ✗ | ✗ |
| Broker Integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Indicators | ✓ | ✗ |
| Automated Trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Trade Journaling | ✗ | ✗ |
| Performance Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Risk Management | ✓ | ✓ |
| News Feed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Education Content | ✓ | ✓ |
Forex Broker Head-to-Head
IG Markets and Plus500 are two of the most recognizable CFD brokers globally, but they target very different experience levels. IG Markets offers 17,000+ tradeable markets, free ProRealTime professional charting, and the educational depth of IG Academy, making it a platform you can genuinely grow into over years of trading. Plus500 keeps things deliberately simple with a clean proprietary platform, commission-free pricing, and an award-winning mobile app that makes placing CFD trades as straightforward as possible. If IG is the Swiss Army knife, Plus500 is the single sharp blade.
Both brokers are well-regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, so fund safety is comparable. Pricing works differently: IG charges through spreads on most instruments but adds commissions on share CFDs, while Plus500 is fully commission-free with all costs embedded in the spread. Plus500 also offers guaranteed stop-loss orders, which IG does not, giving nervous traders a hard ceiling on potential losses. On the other hand, Plus500 offers no MetaTrader support, no third-party integrations, no automated trading, and no API access. If you want anything beyond manual point-and-click trading, Plus500 simply cannot deliver it.
Choose IG Markets if you are a serious trader who values professional-grade charting, the widest possible market access, and room to develop advanced strategies over time. Choose Plus500 if you are newer to CFD trading, trade primarily from your phone, and want the simplest possible experience with guaranteed stop-losses for risk management. Bottom line: IG Markets is the objectively better broker for anyone who plans to trade actively beyond the beginner stage, but Plus500 earns its place as a clean, no-frills entry point for mobile-first casual CFD traders.
IG Markets: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + 50+ years of operating history — highly trusted
- + 17,000+ tradable markets
- + ProRealTime professional charting included free
- + Excellent educational content via IG Academy
- + Regulated by FCA, ASIC, and other top authorities
Cons
- - CFDs not available to US clients (forex only)
- - Inactivity fee of $12/month after 2 years
- - Spread betting only available in UK/Ireland
- - Share CFD commissions can be high
Plus500: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS)
- + Commission-free trading with no platform subscription fees
- + Excellent mobile app consistently rated highly in app stores
- + Guaranteed stop-loss orders available for controlled risk management
- + Unlimited demo account for risk-free practice
Cons
- - No support for MetaTrader 4/5 or third-party platforms
- - Limited charting tools and no custom indicators
- - No automated or algorithmic trading capabilities
- - Inactivity fee charged after 3 months of no trading