Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs Plus500
Firstrade vs Plus500: the differences
| Compare |  Firstrade |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRA | Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81% |
| Options contract fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers SIPC, FINRA.
- Regulators: only Plus500 offers Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Plus500 is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Funds.
- Markets: only Plus500 offers Forex, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App.
- Support channels: only Firstrade offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Plus500 offers Chat, Email.
Our verdict on each
Firstrade
Firstrade is a US commission-free broker for retail savers who want retirement accounts and low costs in the same place. Protection is listed as SIPC up to USD 500,000, the minimum deposit is $0, and the trade-off is a market list limited to US equities, funds and options.
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 | Firstrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Stock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 9.5 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Firstrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority 509909 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 34642 | Not confirmed |
Where these facts come from
Firstrade
- firstrade.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Plus500
- 500affiliates.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- plus500.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Firstrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 38 of 490 | 48 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 10 of 103 | 14 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | Plus500UK Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1985 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Chat, Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | Plus500 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81%highest quarter | 70.375% |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Firstrade
Pros
- Regulated in the US by FINRA and SIPC, with protection stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a membership record at SIPC member 34642.
- A traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a joint account all sit in ira, roth ira and joint under the commission-free pricing in commission free, so retirement and shared accounts hold at the same cost.
- Fractional shares and a demo account sit in demo account, options and mobile app, which helps the beginners and day traders named in beginners, experienced and day traders start small.
Cons
- The market list in stocks, etfs and options covers stocks, ETFs, options and funds, a narrow range next to eToro at stocks, etfs and forex and CFI at stocks, etfs and forex.
- Live chat and email are not among the listed support channels (phone and help centre), which pair a phone line with a help centre.
- An ISA and a SIPP are not among the listed account types (ira, roth ira and joint), which cover a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a joint account.
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
Firstrade
Who it suits
- US savers who want commission-free stock and ETF trading inside a retirement account, since the list in ira, roth ira and joint covers an IRA and a Roth IRA.
- Investors who trade in small amounts, because fractional shares in demo account, options and mobile app work alongside a $0 entry point.
- Day traders in US equities, named in beginners, experienced and day traders with a mobile app among the platforms in Web, iOS and Android.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex, CFDs or crypto alongside equities: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex, while Firstrade stays within stocks, etfs and options.
- UK and European savers who need a tax wrapper, since ira, roth ira and joint names no ISA or SIPP. Vantage, which sets $5 as its entry point, is worth pricing alongside.
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
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Firstrade
What does it cost to trade stocks and options?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the options contract fee is $0, so nothing is charged per trade on either side. The pricing model listed is commission free, which matches that, and the same terms apply to stocks and options contracts. A reader comparing quotes will find the same line on both markets.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so an account can sit open and untouched without an annual charge or a dormant penalty. That suits a saver who funds a retirement account and does not trade every month, since holding a small balance costs nothing beyond the trades themselves.
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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