Plus500 vs IG Group: Which One Is Best?

2. Better Trading Platform – IG Group

Both Plus500 and IG offer a range of trading platforms to cater to different trader needs. You can find more details in our comparison of the Best cTrader Brokers and the Best MT4 Brokers.

We have created a software questionnaire if you are unsure what platform best suits your trading style. Based on six simple questions, we can recommend the best trading software for your trading needs.

MetaTrader 4 and 5

While Plus500 does not support MetaTrader 4 or 5, IG offers both of these popular platforms. This gives IG an advantage, especially among traders who prefer these well-established platforms.

cTrader and TradingView

Neither Plus500 nor IG supports cTrader or TradingView. Both brokers offer their proprietary platforms, which come with a range of tools and features.

Social And Copy Trading

While neither broker offers social or copy trading directly, IG allows for this functionality through third-party platforms like ZuluTrade and Myfxbook.

VPS and Other Trading Tools

IG offers VPS services for automated traders, while Plus500 does not. However, Plus500 provides a range of risk management tools, including stop loss, limit orders, and price alerts.

Our Better Trading Platform Verdict

IG takes the lead in this category with its support for MetaTrader 4 and 5, third-party social and copy trading, and VPS services. However, Plus500’s proprietary platform and risk management tools are also noteworthy.

IG Group ReviewVisit IG Group

*Your capital is at risk ‘71% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

3. Superior Accounts And Features – Tie

Plus500 offers two main types of accounts: a standard live account and a demo account. The live account requires a minimum deposit of $100, and the demo account is free and comes with virtual funds for practice.

IG, on the other hand, offers a wider range of account types, including spread betting, CFD, share dealing, and professional accounts, in addition to a demo account. The minimum deposit for a live account at IG is $300. You can find more information in our articles on the best forex demo accounts.

Our Superior Accounts and Features Verdict

IG offers a wider variety of account types, which can cater to a broader range of trader needs and preferences. However, Plus500’s lower minimum deposit requirement could be more appealing to beginner traders or those with a smaller trading budget.

IG Group ReviewVisit IG Group

*Your capital is at risk ‘71% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

4. Best Trading Experience And Ease – Plus500

Navigating through the trading world, we’ve always prioritised a seamless and straightforward trading experience. Our in-depth analysis of Plus500 and IG Group, two prominent brokers in the field, has provided us with a wealth of insights into their user experience and ease of use.

Plus500 stands out with its user-friendly platform, which is particularly beneficial for beginners, offering a smooth and intuitive trading journey. On the other hand, IG Group brings to the table its advanced trading platforms and comprehensive educational resources, catering to both novice and seasoned traders with a wealth of knowledge and tools at their fingertips.

• Plus500 offers a user-friendly platform suitable for beginners.
• IG Group provides advanced trading platforms and comprehensive educational resources.
• Plus500 has a lower minimum deposit, making it accessible for new traders.
• IG Group supports MetaTrader 4 and 5, offering a familiar platform for many traders.

In our own testing, we’ve explored various brokers and their offerings to determine which provides the best trading experience and ease of use. While Plus500 and IG Group both have their unique strengths and offerings, it’s imperative to consider your trading style, preferred platforms, and desired instruments when making a choice.

Whether you value a straightforward, user-friendly interface or a platform that offers an array of advanced tools and resources, both brokers present viable options, each catering to different aspects of the trading experience. So, your choice boils down to personal preference and trading needs, ensuring your selected broker aligns seamlessly with your trading journey.

Our Best Trading Experience and Ease Verdict

Plus500 offers a more straightforward and beginner-friendly platform, making it the preferable choice for those prioritizing ease and simplicity in their trading experience.

Plus500 ReviewVisit Plus500

*Your capital is at risk ‘80% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

5. Stronger Trust And Regulation – IG Group

IG Group Trust Score

Trust Score

0

regulation

0

reputation

0

reviews

0

Plus500 Trust Score

Trust Score

0

regulation

0

reputation

0

reviews

0

Trust and regulation are paramount when choosing a forex broker. Both Plus500 and IG are regulated by top-tier authorities, ensuring a high level of investor protection.

Plus500 is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). IG, on the other hand, is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, MAS, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

Our Stronger Trust and Regulation Verdict

IG wins this category due to its broader regulatory oversight, which includes more top-tier regulators than Plus500.

IG Group ReviewVisit IG Group

*Your capital is at risk ‘71% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

6. Most Popular Broker – Plus500

Plus500 gets searched on Google more than IG Group. On average, Plus500 sees around 270,000 branded searches each month, while IG Group gets about 97,080 — that’s 64% fewer.

Country	Plus500	IG Group
Italy	22,200	8,100
Germany	18,100	5,400
United Kingdom	14,800	2,900
Spain	9,900	110
Australia	8,100	6,600
Netherlands	8,100	480
Poland	8,100	90
United States	5,400	2,900
South Africa	5,400	2,400
Switzerland	5,400	320
United Arab Emirates	4,400	260
Portugal	4,400	320
Greece	4,400	140
Mexico	2,900	90
Sweden	2,900	3,600
Austria	2,900	480
Hong Kong	2,400	5,400
Singapore	1,900	1,000
France	1,900	14,800
Argentina	1,600	50
Colombia	1,300	70
Taiwan	1,300	480
New Zealand	1,300	170
India	1,000	4,400
Cyprus	880	70
Malaysia	720	480
Turkey	720	320
Saudi Arabia	720	1,000
Ireland	720	90
Chile	590	50
Japan	390	140
Egypt	390	50
Brazil	320	170
Thailand	320	320
Indonesia	320	110
Pakistan	320	1,000
Nigeria	320	90
Canada	320	320
Morocco	210	260
Philippines	170	90
Vietnam	170	260
Algeria	170	90
Bangladesh	170	50
Dominican Republic	140	30
Costa Rica	140	10
Jordan	140	20
Cambodia	110	30
Peru	90	50
Venezuela	90	10
Panama	90	10
Kenya	70	90
Ghana	70	20
Uzbekistan	70	10
Ecuador	40	20
Sri Lanka	40	40
Tanzania	30	20
Uganda	30	10
Ethiopia	30	10
Bolivia	20	10
Botswana	20	20
Mongolia	10	10
Mauritius	10	30

2024 Monthly Searches For Each Brand

Plus500 - Italy	22,200 1st
IG Group - Italy	8,100 2nd
Plus500 - UK	14,800 3rd
IG Group - UK	2,900 4th
Plus500 - Australia	8,100 5th
IG Group - Australia	6,600 6th
Plus500 - US	5,400 7th
IG Group - US	2,900 8th

load full table

Similarweb shows a different story when it comes to February 2024 website visits with Plus500 receiving 6,888,000 visits vs. 9,438,000 for IG Group.

Our Most Popular Broker Verdict

Plus500 is the more popular broker worldwide based on the number of Google branded searches and visits to the website.

Plus500 ReviewVisit Plus500

*Your capital is at risk ‘80% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

7. Top Product Range And CFD Markets – IG Group

In the bustling world of trading, a diverse product range and extensive CFD markets are pivotal for traders seeking to diversify their portfolios. Our meticulous analysis of Plus500 and IG Group has unveiled a spectrum of offerings in terms of products and CFD markets.

Plus500 is renowned for its wide array of trading instruments, encompassing forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies, providing traders with ample opportunities to explore various markets.

Conversely, IG Group, while also offering a broad range of markets, distinguishes itself with its provision of spread betting (for UK and Ireland residents) and share trading, catering to traders with specific market interests.

Our own testing has further enriched our insights into the product offerings and CFD markets of various brokers. It’s imperative to note that while both Plus500 and IG Group offer a commendable range of products and markets, the best choice ultimately hinges on your specific trading needs and market interests.

Whether you’re keen on exploring various CFD markets or diving into specific products like spread betting or share trading, both brokers cater to different facets of trading, ensuring a robust trading experience.

Our Top Product Range and CFD Markets Verdict

IG Group takes the crown for the top product range and CFD markets, offering a slightly more diversified and specialized offering, especially with its provision of spread betting and share trading.

IG Group ReviewVisit IG Group

*Your capital is at risk ‘71% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

8. Superior Educational Resources – IG Group

Embarking on a trading journey necessitates a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding of the market dynamics. Both Plus500 and IG Group have made notable efforts to provide educational resources to traders, albeit with distinct approaches and offerings.

Plus500 maintains a straightforward, user-friendly platform, which is particularly beneficial for beginners, offering a smooth and intuitive trading journey. However, when it comes to educational resources, it offers a limited selection, primarily focusing on a user-friendly trading experience.

• Plus500 offers a limited selection of educational resources.
• Plus500 primarily provides a user-friendly trading platform.
• Plus500 does not offer webinars or detailed educational content.
• IG Group provides a comprehensive range of educational resources.
• IG Group offers detailed webinars and courses for traders.
• IG Group provides in-depth research and analysis tools.

IG Group, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive suite of educational resources, catering to both novice and seasoned traders with a wealth of knowledge and tools at their fingertips. From detailed webinars, courses, and research tools, IG Group ensures traders are well-equipped with the knowledge to navigate through the trading world effectively.

It’s worth noting that the educational resources provided by brokers can be pivotal in shaping your trading journey, offering insights, strategies, and knowledge that can enhance your trading experience and decision-making processes.

Our Superior Educational Resources Verdict

IG Group unequivocally offers superior educational resources, providing a comprehensive and detailed suite of educational content, webinars, and research tools, ensuring traders are well-equipped with essential trading knowledge and insights.

IG Group ReviewVisit IG Group

*Your capital is at risk ‘71% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

9. Superior Customer Service – IG Group

Both Plus500 and IG offer robust customer service. Plus500 provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. IG also offers 24/7 customer support, but in addition to live chat and email, they also provide phone support.

Our Superior Customer Service Verdict

While both brokers offer excellent customer service, IG’s addition of phone support gives it a slight edge in this category.

IG Group ReviewVisit IG Group

*Your capital is at risk ‘71% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

10. Better Funding Options – Plus500

Navigating through the financial markets, traders often seek brokers that provide a plethora of funding options, ensuring flexibility and convenience in managing their trading accounts. Our detailed analysis of Plus500 and IG Group reveals distinct approaches to providing funding options to their clientele.

Plus500 offers a range of funding options, including credit/debit cards, electronic wallets, and bank transfers, ensuring traders can fund their accounts with ease and convenience. However, it’s pivotal to note that the availability of these options may vary based on the trader’s country of residence, thereby influencing the accessibility and applicability of certain funding methods.

IG Group, on the other hand, also provides a variety of funding options, ensuring traders can manage their accounts with flexibility and ease. From traditional methods like bank transfers to modern solutions like electronic wallets, IG Group caters to a wide array of traders with varying preferences and requirements in funding their accounts.

It’s imperative to note that the availability and applicability of these funding options may be influenced by regulatory stipulations and the trader’s country of residence, thereby necessitating a thorough understanding of the available options.

Our Better Funding Options Verdict

Plus500 offers a more diverse range of funding options, providing traders with additional flexibility and convenience in managing their trading accounts, thereby making it the preferable choice for traders seeking varied funding options.

Plus500 ReviewVisit Plus500

*Your capital is at risk ‘80% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

11. Lower Minimum Deposit – IG Group

IG has a lower minimum of $0 vs $100 set by Plus500. Do take note, however, of the various minimum amounts required by IG depending on your region and payment channel:

Conversely, Plus500 requires traders to pay the same minimum amount wherever they are located.

Our Lower Minimum Deposit Verdict

While IG provides the feature of a lower minimum deposit, the actual rate can be higher for some traders. IG does offer more flexibility especially if you use bank transfers, but Plus500’s minimum can still be considered low.

IG Group ReviewVisit IG Group

*Your capital is at risk ‘71% of retail CFD accounts lose money’

Is Plus500 or IG Group The Best Broker?

IG Group is the winner because it provides a comprehensive and diversified trading experience, catering to both novice and seasoned traders with its robust platform, extensive educational resources, and a wide array of trading options. The table below summarises the key information that has led us to this verdict, providing a snapshot of how each broker fares across various crucial aspects.

Plus500: Best For Beginner Traders

Plus500 stands out as the better broker for beginner traders, offering a user-friendly platform and a lower minimum deposit, making it accessible and straightforward for those new to trading.

IG Group: Best For Experienced Traders

Conversely, IG Group shines as the preferable broker for experienced traders, providing a robust trading platform, a wide array of trading options, and comprehensive educational resources to navigate through the intricate world of trading.