Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Plus500 vs TradeStation
Plus500 vs TradeStation: the differences
| Compare |  Plus500 |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 81% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | free deposits |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
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Key differences
- Plus500 scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Regulators: only Plus500 offers Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Plus500 is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Futures, Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile.
- Support channels: only TradeStation offers Phone.
- Features: only Plus500 offers Demo account.
- Features: only TradeStation 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.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | Plus500 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.2Stock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 9.3 | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.2 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Plus500 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority 509909 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Plus500 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Plus500 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 57 of 471 | 104 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 25 of 147 | 44 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 23 of 145 | 42 of 145 |
| Options trading platforms | 15 of 103 | 36 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Plus500 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Plus500UK Ltd | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1982 |
| Support channels | Chat, Email, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Plus500 | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 81%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 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%
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
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
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | Plus500 | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
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.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.
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