eToro vs Plus500 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
eToro suits traders who value lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $100), copy trading, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000 vs 2,000). Plus500 suits traders who prioritise tighter spreads.
Head to head
| eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 583263 | FCA 509909 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $50 | $100 |
| EUR/USD spread | 1 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Instruments | 3,000+ | 2,000+ |
| MetaTrader | No | No |
| Copy trading | Yes | No |
| Real stocks | Yes | No — CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 12mo | $10/mo after 3mo |
| Founded | 2007 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Israel | Haifa, Israel |
Regulation: eToro vs Plus500
eToro is regulated by FCA under licence 583263 (eToro (UK) Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Plus500 is regulated by FCA under licence 509909 (Plus500UK Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
eToro's EUR/USD spread is 1 pips. Plus500's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. Plus500 offers tighter spreads on this pair.
eToro charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months without trading. Plus500 charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 3 months.
Platforms and tools
Neither eToro nor Plus500 offers MetaTrader. Both use proprietary platforms.
eToro offers copy trading, Plus500 does not.
Minimum deposit
eToro requires a minimum deposit of $50. Plus500 requires $100. eToro has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider eToro.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
eToro is generally better for beginners because it offers copy trading, allowing new traders to replicate experienced traders automatically while learning. eToro also has the lower minimum deposit of $50, making it easier to start with a small amount. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Plus500's tighter spreads (0.6 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. eToro offers more instruments (3,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: eToro vs Plus500
Choose eToro if you want lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $100), copy trading, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000 vs 2,000). The FCA licence (583263) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Plus500 if you want tighter spreads. The FCA licence (509909) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
eToro vs Plus500: which is better?
eToro is better for lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $100), copy trading, real stock ownership, more instruments (3,000 vs 2,000). Plus500 is better for tighter spreads. If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is eToro or Plus500 safer?
Both eToro (FCA 583263) and Plus500 (FCA 509909) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for eToro and Plus500?
eToro minimum deposit: $50. Plus500 minimum deposit: $100. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do eToro and Plus500 have MetaTrader?
Neither eToro nor Plus500 offers MetaTrader. Both use proprietary platforms.