Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
Interactive Brokers is the better choice for Professionals, while Plus500 wins for CFD Traders. Which one suits you depends on your strategy — the detailed comparison below shows every difference.
All fees, products, and platform features compared side-by-side. The "Winner" column shows which broker leads in each category.
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | $0.005/Aktie (min $1) or Fixed $1 | 0€ (Spread-based) | Plus500 |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | - | Tie |
| Account Fee | 0€/Year | 0€/Year | Tie |
| Minimum Deposit | 0€ | $100 | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | bis 4.33% (USD) | 0% | Interactive Brokers |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Tie | ||
| ETFs | Tie | ||
| Crypto | Tie | ||
| Options | Tie | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Interactive Brokers | ||
| Number of Exchanges | 150+ Börsen in 33 Ländern | Plus500 intern | Tie |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Interactive Brokers | ||
| Demo Account | Tie | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | SEC / FCA / BaFin | CySEC / FCA / ASIC | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | $500.000 (SIPC) | €20.000 (ICF) | Tie |
| Founded | 1978 | 2008 | Tie |
| Overall Rating | |||
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Interactive Brokers |
Depending on your strategy and experience, one broker fits better. Here's how to decide:
Low barriers, simple app, demo account and no hidden costs — perfect to get started.
More about Interactive Brokers →Low per-order fees, many trading venues and derivatives access — important if you trade regularly.
More about Plus500 →Free savings plans, interest on cash and no custody fee — what matters when you buy & hold.
More about Interactive Brokers →Interactive Brokers is the professional's choice with access to 150+ exchanges, all product classes, and the lowest fees for active traders.
Particularly suitable for: Professionals, Active Traders, International Investors, Options Trading.
Plus500 is a CFD broker with 0 commission and spread-based pricing. Over 2,800 instruments across CFDs on stocks, forex, crypto CFDs, commodities, ETFs and options. Note: 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Particularly suitable for: CFD Traders, Active Traders, Experienced CFD Traders.
Answers to the most common questions about Interactive Brokers vs Plus500.
For order fees, Plus500 leads at 0€ (Spread-basiert), while Interactive Brokers charges $0.005/Aktie (min $1) oder Fixed $1. Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC / FCA / BaFin, Plus500 by CySEC / FCA / ASIC. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: Interactive Brokers $500.000 (SIPC), Plus500 €20.000 (ICF).
For German/Austrian customers, language, BaFin regulation and tax-simple status often matter most. Check the 'Regulated by' and 'Languages' rows — DACH-focused brokers usually have the edge.
Neither Interactive Brokers nor Plus500 offers free ETF savings plans. If recurring investing matters, check a savings-plan-focused broker.
Both are covered under their home regulator's deposit protection. Interactive Brokers: $500.000 (SIPC), Plus500: €20.000 (ICF). Securities are held in segregated accounts and protected in case of broker insolvency.
Interactive Brokers leads on cash interest at 4.33%. Watch the conditions — some brokers require a paid plan or cap the amount.
Both offer native mobile apps with good app-store ratings. Which is better depends on your needs — try both with a demo account if available.
A second broker makes sense when one offers features the other lacks (e.g. options, crypto, more exchanges). A full switch is only worth it if the cost difference or missing features are significant.
Sign up with the broker that fits your strategy. Both are regulated and offer a demo account to test risk-free.
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