Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
Kraken is the better choice for Krypto-Anleger, 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 | Kraken | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro) | 0€ (Spread-based) | Plus500 |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | - | Tie |
| Account Fee | 0€/Year | 0€/Year | Tie |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $100 | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | 0% | 0% | Tie |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Plus500 | ||
| ETFs | Plus500 | ||
| Crypto | Tie | ||
| Options | Plus500 | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Kraken | ||
| Number of Exchanges | Krypto-Spot, Krypto-Futures | Plus500 intern | Kraken |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Tie | ||
| Demo Account | Tie | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | FinCEN · FCA · BaFin | CySEC / FCA / ASIC | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | - | €20.000 (ICF) | Tie |
| Founded | 2011 | 2008 | Tie |
| Overall Rating | |||
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Kraken |
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 Kraken →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 Kraken →Kraken was founded in 2011 and is one of the oldest crypto exchanges still operating. With 95% cold storage, quarterly proof-of-reserves and licenses in the US, UK and Germany, Kraken is the security benchmark of the industry.
Particularly suitable for: Krypto-Anleger, Bitcoin-Käufer, HODL-Investoren.
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 Kraken vs Plus500.
For order fees, Plus500 leads at 0€ (Spread-basiert), while Kraken charges 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro). Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
Kraken is regulated by FinCEN · FCA · BaFin, Plus500 by CySEC / FCA / ASIC. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: Kraken -, 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 Kraken 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. Kraken: -, Plus500: €20.000 (ICF). Securities are held in segregated accounts and protected in case of broker insolvency.
Neither broker pays meaningful interest on uninvested cash. Look elsewhere if cash yield matters.
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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