Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Plus500 vs Robinhood
Plus500 vs Robinhood: the differences
| Compare |  Plus500 |  Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Crypto |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App | Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 81% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $100 outgoing transfer |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 10X |
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Plus500 offers Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Regulators: only Robinhood offers Bank of Lithuania (LSC), LT BL, SIPC.
- Markets: only Plus500 offers Forex.
- Markets: only Robinhood offers Futures.
- Platforms: only Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App.
- Platforms: only Robinhood offers Robinhood app, Robinhood Legend.
- Features: only Plus500 offers Demo account.
- Features: only Robinhood offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Options.
Our verdict on each
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.
Robinhood
Robinhood suits first-time investors and small, regular investors who want nothing charged for holding or trading. It is the cheapest way in on our data, with a minimum deposit of $0, no account fee and no inactivity charge, under the Bank of Lithuania and SIPC.
Score breakdown
| Area | Plus500 | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.6Stock trades cost $0, options contracts $0, the account fee is $0 and inactivity is $0. |
| Offer | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.3 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Plus500 | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 48 of 490 | 13 of 490 |
| Options trading platforms | 14 of 103 | 1 of 103 |
What we checked
Plus500
- 500affiliates.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- plus500.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Robinhood
- finder.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- mymillennialguide.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- financer.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- robinhood.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Plus500 | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Plus500UK Ltd | Robinhood Europe UAB |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Lithuania |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Plus500 | Robinhood | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 81%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 70.375% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 3.95%lowest quarter | 8.79% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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%
Robinhood
Pros
- Nothing to pay to open or hold an account, with an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0
- Trading a share costs $0, so a small first order is not eaten by commission
- You can start with a deposit of $0, lower than most brands on our data
Cons
- Leverage is available at 10X, which magnifies losses as well as gains
- Outgoing transfers carry a charge of $100 outgoing transfer
- Margin borrowing is priced at a margin rate of 3.95%, so interest adds to your cost
Who each suits
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
Robinhood
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a first account with a small deposit
- Day-traders working in options, futures and crypto on mobile
- Retirement investors using an IRA, Roth IRA or joint account
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage if a flat minimum deposit of $5 suits you better
- CFI if you want forex and CFDs alongside shares, since its markets cover stocks, etfs and forex
- eToro if social copy trading matters more than options and futures
Questions about each
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.
Robinhood
What does it cost to trade shares on Robinhood?+
Trading a share costs $0, and an options contract costs $0. There is also an account fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0, so nothing is taken for simply holding the account open. Borrowing on margin is charged at a margin rate of 3.95%, which is the main running cost if you use leverage.
Is there a minimum deposit to open a Robinhood account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so you can open an account and place a small first order without funding a large balance. It is worth comparing that with the deposits other brands ask for before you commit, since the figure varies widely across the market. Outgoing transfers are charged at $100 outgoing transfer, so factor that in if you plan to move money out early.
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