An overall comprehensive side-by-side comparison of FP Markets vs Plus500. FP Markets is a popular broker with more than 10,000 tradable assets, a user-friendly trading technology, and a choice between tailored trading accounts.
- FP Markets vs Plus500 fees, spreads, and commissions comparison
- FP Markets vs Plus500: Which broker is better for beginners
- FP Markets vs Plus500 regulation and safety in South Africa
- FP Markets vs Plus500 trading platforms, MT4 vs proprietary
- FP Markets vs Plus500 forex and CFD trading costs
- FP Markets vs Plus500: PayPal deposit and withdrawal options
🏆10 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa
| Rank | Broker | Broker Review | Regulators | Minimum Deposit | Visit Broker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 |  | Read Review | ASIC, FSA, CBI, BVI, FSCA, FRSA, CySEC, ISA, JFSA | $100 | 
|
| 🥈 |  | Read Review | FSCA, FCA, DFSA, FSA, CMA | $0 |
|
| 🥉 |  | Read Review | CySEC, MWALI, FSCA | $25 |
|
| 4 |  | Read Review | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB | $200 |
|
| 5 |  | Read Review | FSA, FSCA | $250 |
|
| 6 |  | Read Review | FSA, FSC, FSCA, ASIC, CMA | $20 |
|
| 7 |  | Read Review | FSC, FSCA | $50 |
|
| 8 |  | Read Review | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSA, FSC, CMA | $100 |
|
| 9 |  | Read Review | ASIC, CySEC, IFSC, DFSA, FCA | $5 |
|
| 10 |  | Read Review | FSA, CySEC, FSCA, FSC | $10 |
|
Which Broker Is Better for South African Traders?
| 🔎 Category |  |  |
| 💰 Fees | Spreads: Standard account spreads from 1.0 pips; Raw account spreads from ~0.0 pips (EUR/USD can be very tight on Raw). Commission: Standard accounts have no commission; Raw accounts charge ~$3 per lot per side on forex. Overnight/Swap fees: Charged on leveraged CFD positions held overnight. Deposit fees: FP Markets does not charge deposit fees for most methods (cards, bank transfer, PayPal, Skrill, etc.). Withdrawal fees: No broker withdrawal fees for many methods; some e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill) may charge fees by provider, and international bank transfers may incur a fee. | Spreads: Variable, market-priced; EUR/USD often ~0.8–1.5 pips depending on market conditions. Commission: Zero commission on trades; costs are embedded in spreads. Deposit/Withdrawal fees: No broker fees on deposits or withdrawals; banks/payment processors may charge fees. Other fees: Inactivity fee (≈ $10/month after inactivity), overnight swap funding, currency conversion fees. |
| 🏛️ Regulation | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CMA | Regulated by FSCA (South Africa) and internationally by FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus). Operates under Plus500AU Pty Ltd licensing in SA. |
| 🖥️ Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4) advanced charting, EAs, custom indicators. MetaTrader 5 (MT5) expanded instruments and improved tools. cTrader ECN platform with Level II pricing. TradingView integration enhanced charting and strategies. WebTrader & mobile apps for flexible access across devices. | Proprietary Plus500 trading platform (WebTrader and mobile app). No support for third-party platforms (MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader) |
| 📍 Typical Trader Profile | Suitable for intermediate to advanced traders seeking competitive ECN execution and multiple platforms. Scalpers and algorithmic traders benefit from Raw account pricing and tight spreads. Offers standard commission-free accounts that may appeal to beginners prioritising ease of pricing. South African users appreciate local regulation and multiple payment methods including ZAR support. | Beginners through advanced forex and CFD traders valuing transparent pricing and reliable infrastructure. Particularly suitable for traders who prioritise competitive spreads, robust regulation, and flexible entry with no fixed minimum deposit. |
| 💰 Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| 🚀Open an Account | 👉Open Account | 👉Open Account (CFD Service. Your capital is at risk) |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Regulation Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| ⭐ Trust Score | 82 | 99 |
| 📅 Year founded | 2005 | 2008 |
| 📊 Publicly Traded | No | Yes |
| 🇿🇦 Licensed in South Africa | No | Yes |
| 🥇 Tier-1 Regulation | 1 | 4 |
| 🥈 Tier-2 Regulation | 1 | 2 |
| 🥉 Tier-3 Regulation | 0 | 1 |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Assets Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📊 Forex via CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Number of Forex pairs via CFDs | 60 | 71 |
| 📊 CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Bonds | Yes | No |
| 📊 Commodities via CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 ETFs via CFDs | No | Yes |
| 📊 Treasuries | No | No |
| 📊 Indices via CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Options via CFDs | No | Yes |
| 📊 Futures | No | No |
| 📊 Precious Metals via CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Energies via CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Individual Shares via CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 US Stock Trading via CFDs | No | Yes |
| 📊 International Stock Trading via CFDs | No | Yes |
| 📊 Cryptocurrency CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Physical Crypto | No | No |
| 📊 Total Tradable Instruments | 10000 | +2800 |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Fees Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💰 Average Spread for EUR/USD | 0.0 pips | Variable |
| 💰 Commissions Charged | Yes | No commissions and tight spreads |
| 💰 ECN Execution | No | No |
| 💰 Market Maker Execution | Yes | Yes |
| 💰 Inactivity Fee | No | Yes |
| 💰 Currency Conversion Fees | Yes | Yes |
| 💰 Deposit Fee | No | No |
| 💰 Withdrawal Fee | Yes | No |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Account Types Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📒 Standard Account | Yes | Yes |
| 📒 Cent Account | Yes | No |
| 📒 Commission-Free Account | Yes | No commissions and tight spreads |
| 📒 ECN Account | Yes | No |
| 📒 Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| ☪️ Islamic/Swap-Free Account | Yes | No |
| 📒 Managed Accounts | Yes | No |
| 📒 Share Dealing Account | No | No |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Trading Conditions Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📊 Hedging | Yes | No |
| 📊 Scalping | Yes | No |
| 📊 Dynamic Leverage | Yes | No |
| 📊 Beginner Trading | Yes | No |
| 📊 Professional Trading | Yes | No |
| 📊 Copy/Social Trading | Yes | No |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Deposit Options Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💳 Bank wire | Yes | Yes |
| 💳 MasterCard | Yes | Yes |
| 💳 PayPal | No | Yes |
| 💳 Skrill | Yes | Yes |
| 💳 Neteller | Yes | No |
| 💳 Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Trading Platforms Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💻 Desktop Platform | Yes | No |
| 📱 Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| 💻 Social Trading | Yes | No |
| 💻 MetaTrader 4 | Yes | No |
| 💻 MetaTrader 5 | Yes | No |
| 💻 cTrader | No | No |
| 💻 DupliTrade | No | No |
| 💻 ZuluTrade | No | No |
| 💻 Proprietary Platform | Yes, App | Yes |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Analytical Tools Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📅 Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Social Sentiment | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Trading Central | No | No |
| 📈 AutoChartist | Yes | No |
| 📈 Forex News Sources | Yes | No |
| 📈 Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Virtual Private Server (VPS) | Yes | No |
| 📈 Trading View | No | No |
| 📈 Blog | Yes | Yes |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Educational Resources Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 🎓 Offers education | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ Beginner training videos | Yes | No |
| ℹ️ Advanced training videos | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ Tutorials | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ eBooks | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ Glossary | Yes | Yes |
FP Markets vs Plus500 Forex Majors Offered Compared
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💱 GBP/USD | Yes | Yes |
| 💱 USD/JPY | Yes | Yes |
| 💱 EUR/USD | Yes | Yes |
| 💱 USD/CHF | Yes | Yes |
| 💱 USD/CAD | Yes | Yes |
| 💱 NZD/USD | Yes | Yes |
| 💱 AUD/USD | Yes | Yes |
Overview of FP Markets
Who is FP Markets
FP Markets, short for First Prudential Markets, is a well-known global FX and CFD broker founded in 2005. Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia, and it is regulated by several authorities, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and other global bodies. This multi-jurisdictional regulation demonstrates its commitment to upholding high financial integrity and client safety standards. FP Markets provides a range of trading products, including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and equities CFDs, to customers, including beginning traders and seasoned professionals.
Regulation & Safety
- Regulated by multiple top authorities, including ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSCA (South Africa).
- Additional licences from the Financial Services Authority (Seychelles), Capital Markets Authority (Kenya), FSC (Mauritius), and SCB (Bahamas).
- Segregated client funds to protect retail traders’ capital.
- Multi-jurisdictional presence and compliance with strict capital requirements enhance trust and oversight.
Tradable Markets & Instruments
- Offers access to 10,000+ tradable instruments across diverse asset classes.
- Forex: 70+ major, minor, and exotic currency pairs.
- Indices: Major global indices like S&P 500, FTSE 10,0 and DAX.
- Commodities: Trading in gold, silver, oil, and other commodities.
- Shares CFDs: Access to CFDs on major global company stocks.
- Cryptocurrencies: Popular digital asset CFDs (availability may vary by region).
Platforms & Tools
- Provides industry‑standard platforms including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
- Supports cTrader for advanced execution and order management.
- Integrates TradingView for advanced charting and analytics.
- Platforms are available on desktop, web, and mobile with a complete range of technical tools and indicators.
- Offers Autochartist, Trading Centra,l and copy‑trading tools for strategy support.
Costs, Spreads & Fees
- Spreads: Very competitive — Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips on major fx pairs and markets.
- Commission: Raw account incurs low commission per lot, while the Standard account is spread‑only.
- Variable spreads adjust with market liquidity and conditions.
- Minimal additional fees beyond spreads and commissions, with transparent pricing.
- Some platforms (e.g., Iress) may have platform‑specific fees for advanced features.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Multi‑jurisdiction regulation including ASIC, CySEC and FSCA compliant entities. | Standard account spreads can be wider than raw/ECN accounts for some instruments. |
| Extensive tradable market coverage with over 10,000 instruments. | Platform fees for Iress and certain advanced tools may apply. |
| Ultra‑tight spreads and competitive pricing for active and high‑volume traders | Educational content is improving but may be less extensive than some competitors. |
| Wide platform selection including MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView | Mobile trading app features are sometimes rated lower than desktop or other leading broker apps. |
Overview of Plus500
What is Plus500?
Plus500 is a global online trading and financial technology company that provides access to a wide range of markets through Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and other derivative products.
It was founded in 2008 and has grown into a well-known broker with regulatory licences in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australia’s ASIC, and Cyprus’s CySEC.
Regulation & Safety
- Regulated by several reputable authorities, including the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and others, such as MAS and FSCA in South Africa.
- Publicly listed company (Plus500 Ltd) on the London Stock Exchange, adding transparency to its operations.
- Segregated client funds and negative balance protection are offered in many jurisdictions to protect traders’ capital.
- Regulatory compliance results in limited leverage caps in some regions for retail clients in line with local rules.
Tradable Markets & Instruments
- Offers a wide range of CFD instruments across multiple asset classes.
- Forex CFDs on major, minor, and some exotic currency pairs.
- Index CFDs covering global stock indices.
- Stock CFDs and ETF CFDs for global equities exposure.
- Commodity CFDs include metals, energy, and more.
- Cryptocurrency CFDs are available on popular digital assets.
- Typically, all instruments are CFDs (no direct ownership of underlying assets).
Platforms & Tools
- Uses a proprietary web-based and mobile trading platform developed by Plus500.
- The platform is intuitive and beginner-friendly, designed for ease of use rather than advanced customization.
- Available directly in browsers without complex installation and supported on iOS/Android.
- No support for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, or other third-party platforms.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| User-friendly platform | Lack of in-depth research tools |
| Listed on the London Stock Exchange | Only an average educational section |
| Low trading fees | Limited product range. Only CFD |
Conclusion
FP Markets and Plus500 are both reputable brokers, but serve different trader priorities. FP Markets excels as a professional-grade forex and CFD broker with tight spreads, ECN execution, multiple platform support (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView), and pricing models suited to scalpers, algorithmic traders, and intermediate-to-advanced users. Its regulatory coverage, including ASIC, CySEC, and FSCA, and flexible accounts (Standard and Raw) offer strong execution and deep market access.
You might also like:
Etoro vs Plus500Etoro vs XTBExness vs FXTM
Frequently Asked Questions
Which broker has better regulation and safety, FP Markets or Plus500?
FP Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, and others with segregated funds protection. Plus500 is regulated by FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS, and FSCA, and is publicly listed, offering strong oversight and client protections for both.
Which broker offers lower trading costs, FP Markets or Plus500?
FP Markets provides tight spreads and low commission on Raw accounts, ideal for active traders. Plus500 uses spread-only pricing with no commissions, but spreads may be wider. Cost effectiveness depends on your trading style and instruments.
Which broker is better for beginner traders?
Plus500’s simple, intuitive interface and CFD-focused platform make it easier for beginners. FP Markets offers advanced tools and platforms that can be more complex but better suited for traders aiming to grow into advanced strategies.
Do FP Markets and Plus500 offer forex trading?
Yes. Both brokers offer forex trading. FP Markets typically provides tight ECN pricing on major pairs, while Plus500 offers spread-only forex CFDs. Execution terms and spreads vary by account and market conditions.
Which broker has more tradable instruments?
Plus500 offers a wide range of CFDs across forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and crypto. FP Markets also has broad coverage but focuses on professional execution and deeper pricing for forex and CFDs rather than sheer instrument count.
What trading platforms do FP Markets and Plus500 support?
FP Markets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and web/mobile platforms. Plus500 uses its own proprietary web and mobile trading platform with integrated risk tools, but does not support MetaTrader or other third-party systems.
Which broker is better for scalping and high-frequency strategies?
FP Markets is generally more suited due to ECN execution, ultra-low spreads, and advanced platforms. Plus500 allows scalping, but its spread-only model and platform limitations may be less optimal for very high-frequency or automated strategies.
Can I use PayPal with FP Markets or Plus500?
Yes. Both brokers accept PayPal in supported regions. Availability may vary by country and regulatory entity, but in many cases, both brokers allow deposits and withdrawals via PayPal.
Which broker has better educational resources?
FP Markets offers a good range of webinars, guides, market analysis, and trading tools. Plus500 provides some tutorials and platform guides, but is generally considered less comprehensive in structured education compared to FP Markets.
Which broker is better for long-term investors?
Plus500’s CFD model suits short to medium-term trading. FP Markets also focuses on CFDs and forex; neither is ideal for direct long-term investment in underlying assets, but FP Markets’ wider tools might better support strategy development over time.
Recommended brokers
