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eToro vs Plus500: Which Is Better in 2026?
eToro (real stocks + CFDs + crypto) and Plus500 (stock CFDs) compared head-to-head on cost, minimums, markets and safety.
eToro comes out ahead. eToro scores 4.7/5 with $0 (real stocks) commission, a $50 minimum and yes fractional shares, plus best overall and copy trading.
| Feature | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.7 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Asset type | Real stocks + CFDs + crypto | Stock CFDs |
| Stock commission | $0 (real stocks) | Spread only |
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Fractional shares | Yes | CFD only |
| Markets | US, UK, EU + 20 exchanges | 2,000+ share CFDs |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FinCEN, MFSA | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS |
| Platforms | eToro app + web | Plus500 platform |
Which one should you actually pick?
eToro. Beginners who want stocks, ETFs and crypto in one app, and anyone curious about copying other investors.
Plus500 is not the wrong answer for everyone. Experienced CFD traders who value a simple interface and a listed, well-capitalised operator. Where it struggles: Anyone building a long-term portfolio, or beginners who have not yet understood how leverage and overnight fees interact.
The honest framing is that these two are not interchangeable. eToro gives you Real stocks + CFDs + crypto with access to US, UK, EU + 20 exchanges, while Plus500 gives you Stock CFDs across 2,000+ share CFDs. If you already know which markets you want to hold, that single line decides it faster than any score.
What each one really costs
On the headline number, eToro charges $0 (real stocks) and Plus500 charges spread only. That is the figure both of them advertise, and it is the least useful one for predicting what you will pay.
Where eToro actually charges you:
- $0 commission on real stocks and ETFs.
- Currency conversion applies if you fund in anything other than USD, which catches most UK and EU investors.
- A flat withdrawal fee, so batch withdrawals rather than taking small amounts out often.
- Inactivity fee after twelve months with no login.
Where Plus500 actually charges you:
- No commission; cost is the spread, which is wider than a direct-market broker on the same instrument.
- Overnight funding on positions held past the daily cut-off.
- Inactivity fee after three months without logging in, which surprises occasional users.
- Currency conversion where the instrument is priced in another currency.
For a portfolio under a few thousand, currency conversion and withdrawal fees will almost always cost you more over a year than the commission difference. Work out how you will fund the account and how often you expect to take money out, then compare on that rather than on the per-trade rate.
Is your money safe with either?
eToro is regulated by FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FinCEN, MFSA. Plus500 is regulated by FCA, CySEC, ASIC, MAS. Both are covered by real regulators, so the question is not whether one is legitimate, but which entity your particular account sits under, because that decides your compensation scheme.
Regulated by the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, ASIC in Australia and MFSA in Malta, so which entity holds your account depends on where you live. UK clients fall under FSCS protection up to £85,000; EU clients under the local investor compensation scheme, typically €20,000. That covers the broker failing, not your investments falling.
Regulated by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC and MAS depending on entity, with segregated client funds and negative balance protection for retail clients in the UK and EU. Being listed in London means audited, published accounts.
Worth being clear about what that protection is: compensation schemes cover the broker failing and being unable to return your assets. They do not cover your investments losing value. Nothing here removes market risk.
Frequently asked questions
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