Plus500 vs eToro 2026
The short version
For CFD forex trading with tight spreads, Plus500 wins. For copy trading, real stock ownership, or if you are just starting out, eToro wins. They are both regulated and both legitimate. The choice depends entirely on what you actually want to do.
Head to head
| Feature | Plus500 | eToro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 2007 | Tie |
| FCA regulation | 509909 | 583263 | Tie |
| CySEC regulation | 250/14 | 109/10 | Tie |
| Publicly listed | LSE: PLUS | Private | Plus500 |
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $50 US / $200 EU | eToro (US) |
| EUR/USD spread | From 0.6 pips | From 1.0 pips | Plus500 |
| Real stocks | No. CFD only. | Yes. Zero commission. | eToro |
| Copy trading | No | Yes, CopyTrader | eToro |
| MetaTrader | No | No | Neither |
| Instruments | 2,000+ CFDs | 3,000+ incl real stocks | eToro |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 3 months | $10/mo after 12 months | eToro |
| Withdrawal fee | None after first | $5 per withdrawal | Plus500 |
| Education | Basic | eToro Academy | eToro |
Regulation
Both hold FCA and CySEC licences. EU and UK retail clients get negative balance protection and segregated funds either way. FSCS protection up to £85,000 applies to both in the UK.
Plus500 has one advantage here. Being listed on the London Stock Exchange requires independent audits, public annual reports, and full financial transparency. eToro is private and does not publish its financials. That is not a red flag but it is a difference worth knowing.
Spreads and fees
On EUR/USD, Plus500 starts at 0.6 pips. eToro starts at 1.0 pips. For a trader putting on ten standard lots a day that gap adds up. For someone trading once a week it probably does not matter.
eToro charges $5 on every withdrawal. Plus500 waives the fee after the first one. eToro's inactivity timer is 12 months versus Plus500's 3 months. On fees alone, Plus500 is cheaper for active forex traders.
Real stocks vs CFDs only
This is the biggest practical difference. eToro lets you buy actual shares in Apple, Tesla, or Amazon with zero commission. You own the share. Plus500 only offers CFDs on those same stocks. You are speculating on the price but you never own anything. For long-term investors who want to hold real assets, eToro is the only choice here.
Copy trading
eToro's CopyTrader lets you automatically mirror another trader's positions in real time. Plus500 has nothing like this. If copy trading is why you are opening an account, eToro is the answer. There is no point looking at Plus500 for this.
Platform
Neither supports MetaTrader. Both built their own platforms. Plus500's WebTrader is faster and cleaner. eToro's platform is built around the social feed and portfolio copying, which makes it feel busier. Neither is right or wrong. It depends on whether you want to trade or participate in a community.
The call
Active forex and CFD traders who care about spreads: Plus500.
Beginners, copy traders, long-term stock investors: eToro.
Both are legitimate. Pick based on what you actually do.