| Feature | Plus500 | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Israel | United States |
| Regulatory Authorities | FCA (#509909), CySEC (#250/14), ASIC (#417727), FMA (FSP #486026), FSCA (FSP #47546) | SEC, CFTC, ASIC (AFSL: 453554), FCA (#208159), CSSF, CBI (C423427), MNB (H-EN-III-623/2020), SFC, SEBI (INZ000217730), MAS (CMS100917) |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:50 |
| Tradable Instruments | CFDs on indices, currencies, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies | Equities, options, bonds, forex, funds, CFDs |
| Number of Currency Pairs | 60 | 115 |
| Number of CFDs | 2,045 | 6,100 |
| EUR/USD Spread (Variable) | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary WebTrader, Mobile App (iOS, Android) | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile (iOS, Android), Client Portal |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Account Types | Standard | Individual, Joint, Trust, Retirement Accounts |
| Deposit Methods | PayPal, Skrill, Wire Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, BPAY, iDEAL, SOFORT, giropay, Przelewy24 | Wire Transfer, Check, BPAY |
| Withdrawal Methods | Bank Wire, Visa/Mastercard | Bank Wire, Visa/Mastercard |
| Withdrawal Fee | £0 | $0 |
| Withdrawal Time | 1-2 working days | 3-5 days |
| Customer Support | Email, Live Chat, WhatsApp (24/7) | Phone, Email, Live Chat |
| Website Languages | English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Croatian, Polish, Slovenian, Slovak, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Hungarian | German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Chinese |
| Mobile App | Yes (iOS, Android) | Yes (iOS, Android) |
| Research & Analysis Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Educational Resources | Yes | Yes |
| Security & Fairness | SSL encryption, regulated by multiple authorities | SSL encryption, regulated by multiple authorities |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop, Guaranteed Stop | Market, Limit, Stop, Stop-Limit, Trailing Stop, One-Cancels-Other, Bracket Orders, VWAP, Iceberg Orders |
| Algo Trading Support | Not available | Available via API, Python, C++, Java, FIX protocol |
| Fractional Shares | Not available | Available for U.S. and European stocks |
| Direct Market Access (DMA) | Not provided | Available for professional traders |
| Commission Structure | No commission, spreads only | Commission-based and zero-commission models, depending on the market |
| Short Selling | Available only on CFDs | Available for stocks, ETFs, and options |
| Interest on Uninvested Cash | Not offered | Offered on idle balances in select currencies |
| Margin Rates | Fixed rates based on instrument | Tiered margin rates, as low as 5.83% (varies by region and volume) |
| Crypto Trading | CFDs on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Dogecoin, and more | Direct crypto trading on select exchanges, plus Bitcoin Futures |
| ETF Trading | CFDs only | Direct ETFs and ETF CFDs |
| Options Trading | Not available | Available on U.S., European, and Asian exchanges |
| Mutual Funds | Not available | Access to 48,000+ mutual funds |
| Bond Trading | Not available | Access to corporate, municipal, government, and sovereign bonds worldwide |
| Futures Trading | Not available | Available across global exchanges |
| Hedging Capability | Limited due to CFD nature | Advanced hedging strategies supported |
| Regulatory Protection for Client Funds | Segregated client funds under regulations | SIPC protection (U.S.), FSCS protection (UK), regulatory safeguards |
| Corporate Accounts | Not supported | Available with extensive customization |
| Tax Reporting | Basic reporting tools | Detailed tax optimization tools, downloadable statements, and automatic reporting |
| API Access | Not provided | Yes, with REST, FIX, and custom APIs |
| Payout Currency Options | Typically in the account’s base currency | Multi-currency withdrawal options available |
| Regional Availability | 50+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Minimum Trade Size | 0.01 lots (varies by asset) | 1 share or fractional shares (where available) |
| Market Data Subscription | Free real-time data for most assets | Free delayed data, real-time data requires subscription |
| Slippage Control | Guaranteed stop-loss available for a premium | Advanced order execution algorithms to reduce slippage |
| Exchange Connectivity | Internal market-making model | Direct access to over 150 global exchanges |
| Account Currency Options | Limited currency choices per region | Multi-currency support with automatic conversion |
| Interest on Margin Loans | Fixed rates depending on jurisdiction | Tiered interest rates, lower for higher balances |
| Auto Trading Platforms Supported | Not supported | MetaTrader not supported, but integration with third-party algo-trading software |
| News & Economic Calendar | Basic market news and updates | Integrated Reuters, Dow Jones, Bloomberg news feeds |
| Charting Tools | Basic indicators, trendlines, and overlays | Advanced charting with hundreds of indicators, custom scripting |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | Not provided | Full Level 2 order book available |
| Social/Copy Trading | Not supported | Not natively supported, but some third-party platforms allow integration |
| Backtesting Capabilities | Not available | Available through Trader Workstation (TWS) and API |
| Custom Alerts & Notifications | Price alerts via app and email | Highly customizable alerts via platform, email, and SMS |
| Multiple Order Entry Methods | Web-based, mobile app | Web, mobile, desktop, hotkeys, voice-assisted |
| IPO Access | Not available | Access to U.S. and Hong Kong IPOs for eligible accounts |
| Penny Stock Trading | CFDs only | Direct trading on OTC and Pink Sheet markets |
| Regulatory Licenses Per Region | Europe, Australia, UK, Asia | Extensive global regulatory coverage in North America, Europe, Asia, and more |
| Negative Balance Protection | Offered for retail clients under regulations | Not automatically included but available for certain account types |
| Swap-Free (Islamic) Accounts | Available in some regions | Offered for qualifying traders |
| Dividend Payments on Stocks | Adjusted in CFD pricing | Paid directly to eligible stockholders |
| Proprietary Trading Firms Support | Not supported | Available for professional traders and firms |
| Customizable Watchlists | Basic watchlists with limited settings | Highly customizable watchlists with real-time tracking |
| Mobile App Features | Simple interface, limited customization | Full-featured with advanced order types and risk management tools |
Plus500 is a user-friendly CFD broker with commission-free trading, while Interactive Brokers offers extensive market access, low fees, and advanced tools for professional traders. The choice depends on whether you prefer simplicity or deep trading capabilities.