Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Acorns Checking vs Plus500
Where Acorns Checking and Plus500 differ
| Compare |  Acorns Checking |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Crypto |
| Regulators | FDIC | Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | Acorns mobile app | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $48 to $144 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | no hidden fees | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.59% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Plus500 scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only Acorns Checking offers FDIC.
- Regulators: only Plus500 offers Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Plus500 is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Acorns Checking offers Bonds.
- Markets: only Plus500 offers Forex, Options, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Acorns Checking offers Acorns mobile app.
- Platforms: only Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App.
- Support channels: only Plus500 offers Chat, Email.
- Features: only Acorns Checking offers Fractional shares.
Our verdict on each
Acorns Checking
Acorns Checking suits beginners in the US who want a robo-managed app next to a cash account, with fractional shares and a demo account on the side. The minimum investment is $0 and it sits at 1 on that measure across 82 brands, and investor protection runs through SIPC.
Plus500
Plus500 suits UK and European retail traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex in a single app. The UK arm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind UK balances and costs charged per trade rather than as a flat account fee.
Score breakdown
| Area | Acorns Checking | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.9Stock trades cost $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, but the account fee runs $48 to $144. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 8.7 | 9.5Higher |
What each covers
| Markets | Acorns Checking | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
How they place
| Ranking | Acorns Checking | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 105 of 471 | 57 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Acorns Checking | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app, Demo accountCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Acorns Grow Incorporated | Plus500UK Ltd |
| Support channels | Help centre | Chat, Email, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Acorns Checking | Plus500 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $48 to $144highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81%highest quarter | 72.05% |
| Interest on cash | 3.59%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Acorns Checking
Pros
- Entry is $0, against $500 for eToro portfolios and $100 for Axos Invest managed portfolios, so small sums are enough to begin.
- Fractional shares, a mobile app and a demo account all sit in the feature list (fractional shares, mobile app and demo account), so you can try the app and build positions in parts before committing more.
- Regulated in the US by the FDIC, with SIPC protection on file, so the money sits inside a named US regulator and scheme.
Cons
- The account fee runs $48 to $144 while the median account fee across the site is €0, so the charge is the line to weigh against a small balance.
- Support runs on help centre only, so there is no route on file to a call or a live chat reply for anything urgent.
- The account types listed are ira only, so a UK ISA or a pension container is not on the list for readers in the UK and Europe.
Plus500
Pros
- Costs are charged per trade, with no account fee listed
- UK protection stands at FSCS up to GBP 85,000
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex in the same app
Cons
- Losses run high at 81% of retail accounts
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, with no phone line
- Retail loss of 81% tops the site median of 70.15%
Who each suits
Acorns Checking
Who it suits
- US beginners, since the audience on file is beginners and a minimum investment of $0 keeps the first decision small.
- People who want a cash account and an invested portfolio in the same place, with fractional shares in the feature list (fractional shares, mobile app and demo account).
- Investors happy to hand selection to a robo portfolio rather than pick shares, given portfolio types of etf, esg and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone budgeting around a UK ISA or a pension wrapper: the account types here are ira only, while an ISA appears on 22% of the brands on the site, so eToro or Vivid Standard serve that audience better.
- Readers who prefer a larger opening commitment alongside a managed portfolio, since Axos Invest starts at $100 where this one starts at $0.
Plus500
Who it suits
- UK retail traders wanting one app for several asset classes
- First-time traders who can practise on the demo account
- Traders who prefer one platform over several brokers
Who should look elsewhere
- Long-term investors wanting ISA or SIPP style accounts
- Traders wanting CFDs or futures, absent from stocks, etfs and forex
- Traders who want a phone line rather than chat, email and help centre
Current offers
Acorns Checking
Current offer
Bonus
Investinall bet loss match: $50
Sitewide banner: lost a bet, we match it up to $50 and invest it for you; terms apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Acorns Later 3% IRA match: 3% of new IRA contributions in the first year (up to $225)
Acorns Gold subscription exclusive, first year with Acorns Gold, new contributions only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Acorns Checking | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Acorns Checking
What does it cost to hold an Acorns Checking account?+
Trading is the cheap part: a stock trade costs $0 and the pricing model is commission free, so buying small amounts of shares adds no commission to the bill. The charge sits elsewhere, in the account fee, which runs $48 to $144, and the inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant account is not penalised. Weigh the subscription line against the size of your balance.
How much do I need to open an account?+
Less than most rivals. The minimum deposit is $0 and the minimum investment is $0, so there is no practical floor to clear before you start. For comparison, eToro's portfolio route starts at $500, Axos Invest's managed portfolios at $100 and Vivid Standard at €2. Small sums are enough to begin here.
Plus500
What does Plus500 cost to trade?+
Plus500 charges per trade rather than a flat account fee, and no account fee is listed for the brand. Retail loss figures sit high at 81%, so costs per trade matter more than an annual charge.
Is Plus500 regulated in the UK?+
Yes. The UK arm trades as Plus500UK Ltd and is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under 509909. A Cyprus entity is separately authorised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under 250/14.
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