Plus500 vs XTB (UK)
Reviewed by Phillip Ashdown, Senior Forex Analyst · Last updated · How we review
This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Affiliate links may be present.
Quick Verdict
XTB is the stronger overall choice for most UK forex traders. It has no minimum deposit, a 12-month inactivity grace period versus Plus500's 3 months, a structured Trading Academy, and pays interest of up to 4.00% on uninvested GBP cash. Plus500 suits absolute beginners who want the simplest possible interface, with a tighter headline EUR/USD spread, no separate dealing commission, and a free demo account to practise on first. Neither broker offers spread betting or MetaTrader support, so that isn't a differentiator here, but XTB's lower running costs and richer feature set make it the more versatile choice for most traders.
Best for cost-sensitive traders: XTB — No minimum deposit, a 12-month inactivity grace period versus Plus500's 3 months, and interest of up to 4.00% on uninvested GBP cash outweigh Plus500's tighter headline EUR/USD spread for most traders.
Best for beginners: Plus500 — Plus500's single, stripped-back platform is the simplest possible starting point, with no separate dealing commission to understand, and beginners can practise on its free demo account before trading with real money.
Best overall: XTB — XTB's xStation 5 platform, structured Trading Academy, no minimum deposit and longer inactivity grace period make it the more versatile choice as traders progress.
vs
Plus500 and XTB are both FCA-regulated brokers that appeal to beginner and intermediate UK traders, and neither offers spread betting, only CFDs. Plus500 offers a single intuitive proprietary platform focused on ease of use. XTB offers commission-free trading on its xStation 5 platform, backed by a structured Trading Academy and interest on uninvested cash. This comparison examines the key differences between the two across pricing, platforms, regulation and trader suitability.
New to comparing? Start here: how to compare forex brokers.
Plus500 vs XTB: At a Glance
| Feature | Plus500 | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| FCA Regulation | Yes (FRN 509909) | Yes (FRN 522157) |
| Minimum Deposit | £50 | £0 |
| Pricing Model | No separate dealing commission (other fees may apply) | Commission-free (Standard account) |
| Platforms Offered | Plus500 Platform | xStation 5, xStation Mobile |
| Spread Betting Available | No | No |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 3 months | £10/month after 12 months |
| Forex Pairs | 60+ | 48+ |
| Best For | Beginners seeking the simplest possible platform, with a free demo account to practise on | Beginners wanting structured education and interest on cash |
Spreads and Fees
Typical spreads by pair
Plus500 does not charge separate dealing commissions on standard CFD trades, though other fees may apply. Spreads on EUR/USD start from 0.6 pips. The inactivity fee of $10 per month kicks in after just 3 months of no activity, a comparatively short grace period.
Commission and account fees
XTB offers commission-free trading on its Standard account, with EUR/USD spreads from around 0.9 pips. The inactivity fee is £10 per month but only applies after 12 months of no activity. XTB also pays interest of up to 4.00% on uninvested GBP cash balances, a feature Plus500 does not offer.
Overnight financing and inactivity costs
XTB's longer inactivity grace period and interest on cash balances give it an edge on overall running costs for most traders, even though its headline EUR/USD spread is wider than Plus500's. Plus500 requires a £50 minimum deposit; XTB has none.
For a detailed breakdown of how spreads affect trading costs, see our guide to forex spreads explained. To turn a spread into pounds on your trade size, use our pip value calculator, and to estimate what a trade would make or lose at either broker, try the forex profit calculator.
| Fee | Plus500 | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD min spread | 0.6 pips | 0.9 pips |
| GBP/USD min spread | typical ~0.9 pips | 1.4 pips |
| USD/JPY min spread | typical ~0.7 pips | 1.4 pips |
| AUD/USD min spread | typical ~0.6 pips | 1.3 pips |
| FX commission | None | None (Standard account) |
| Forex pairs available | 60+ | 48+ |
| Minimum deposit | £50 | £0 |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month after 3 months | £10/month after 12 months |
Platforms
Plus500's platform lineup
Plus500 offers a single proprietary web and mobile platform designed with a clear, intuitive interface. It does not support MetaTrader or any third-party platforms.
XTB's platform lineup
XTB centres its offering around xStation 5, a proprietary platform with advanced charting, one-click trading, real-time performance statistics, and built-in market analysis tools, backed by its Trading Academy.
Both brokers use proprietary platforms rather than MetaTrader. XTB's xStation 5 offers more advanced charting and analytical tools plus structured education. Plus500's platform is more streamlined and may suit those who want minimal complexity.
| Feature | Plus500 | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary platform | Yes (Plus500 Platform) | Yes (xStation 5) |
| MT4 | No | No |
| MT5 | No | No |
| cTrader | No | No |
| TradingView integration | No | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes (xStation Mobile) |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Structured education hub | No | Yes (Trading Academy) |
| Stock exchange listed | Yes (LSE, FTSE 250) | Yes (Warsaw Stock Exchange) |
Markets and Instruments
Plus500 offers 60+ forex pairs alongside indices, commodities, shares and ETFs via CFDs. It does not offer spread betting or options.
XTB offers 48+ forex pairs alongside indices, commodities, and stock and ETF CFDs via its xStation 5 platform. Like Plus500, it does not offer spread betting or options, so UK traders wanting tax-efficient spread bets will need to look at a different broker entirely.
FCA Regulation and Safety
Regulatory status and client protections
Both brokers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Plus500UK Ltd operates under FRN 509909, and XTB operates under FRN 522157. Client funds at both brokers are held in segregated accounts, and retail clients benefit from negative balance protection. Eligible deposits are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 per person, per firm.
Company structure and history
Plus500 was founded in 2008 by six Technion alumni and is headquartered in the UK; Plus500 Ltd is listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 250 constituent. XTB was founded in 2002 and is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Worth noting: Plus500UK was fined £205,128 by the FCA in 2012 for transaction reporting failures covering 2010-2011, though there have been no significant enforcement actions against either broker since.
Verify each broker's authorisation on the FCA Register: Plus500 on the FCA Register and XTB on the FCA Register.
For more on what FCA regulation means for traders, see our guide to FCA regulation explained.
Both brokers provide FSCS protection for eligible UK retail clients up to £85,000 per person, per firm.
Who Should Choose Plus500?
- Absolute beginners seeking an intuitive and user-friendly platform interface, with a free demo account to practise on before trading live
- Traders who prefer a clean, uncluttered interface
- UK traders who value strong regulatory credentials (FCA + LSE listed)
- Those who want trading with no separate dealing commission
- Casual traders looking for a straightforward demo account
Ready to open an account? Visit Plus500.
82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Who Should Choose XTB?
- Beginners seeking structured educational content via the Trading Academy
- Cost-conscious traders wanting commission-free forex trading and no minimum deposit
- Traders who prefer a modern proprietary platform with advanced charting
- Traders who hold uninvested cash and want interest paid on GBP balances
- Intermediate traders wanting access to multiple asset classes from one account
Ready to open an account? Visit XTB.
74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Final Verdict
Plus500 and XTB both appeal to beginners, but XTB offers the more complete package for most UK traders. XTB's xStation 5 platform provides stronger charting and analysis tools, its Trading Academy offers structured education, and its no minimum deposit, longer 12-month inactivity grace period, and interest on uninvested GBP cash all lower the cost of holding an account. Plus500 is more streamlined and offers a tighter headline EUR/USD spread, which may suit absolute beginners who want the most straightforward possible experience and don't hold large uninvested balances. Neither broker supports MetaTrader or offers spread betting, so UK traders wanting tax-efficient spread bets will need to look elsewhere entirely.
Read our full individual reviews for more detail: View Plus500 Review and View XTB Review. You can also compare both brokers against the wider market on our best forex brokers UK page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plus500 or XTB cheaper for active traders?
Plus500 quotes a tighter headline EUR/USD spread, from 0.6 pips versus XTB's roughly 0.9 pips, and neither charges a separate commission on standard forex trades. But XTB's longer 12-month inactivity grace period (against Plus500's 3 months) and interest of up to 4.00% on uninvested GBP cash mean XTB often works out cheaper overall for traders who don't trade every week or who hold cash between trades.
Which has better trading platforms, Plus500 or XTB?
XTB's xStation 5 offers more advanced charting, real-time performance statistics and built-in market analysis tools, backed by a structured Trading Academy. Plus500 runs a single proprietary web and mobile platform that is clean and easy to use but has fewer analytical features. Neither supports MetaTrader, cTrader or TradingView. If you want more depth as you progress, XTB; if you want the simplest possible interface, Plus500.
Do Plus500 or XTB offer spread betting?
No, neither broker offers spread betting. Both offer CFDs only, so UK residents at either broker miss out on the Capital Gains Tax exemption that spread betting typically provides. Traders who specifically want tax-efficient spread betting will need to look at a broker such as IG or CMC Markets instead.
Which is better for beginners, Plus500 or XTB?
Plus500 is often chosen by beginners for its stripped-back, single-platform simplicity and lack of a separate dealing commission, and beginners can use its free demo account to practise with virtual funds before trading with real money. XTB offers more structured support for beginners through its Trading Academy, plus a £0 minimum deposit that lowers the barrier to entry. If you want the most intuitive starting point, Plus500. If you want structured education and no deposit requirement, XTB.
Are both Plus500 and XTB FCA regulated?
Yes, both hold FCA authorisation. Plus500UK Ltd holds FRN 509909 and XTB holds FRN 522157. Client funds at both are held in segregated accounts and eligible for FSCS protection up to £85,000 per person, per firm. Plus500 Ltd is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250) and XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Worth knowing: Plus500UK was fined £205,128 by the FCA in 2012 for transaction reporting failures, though there have been no significant enforcement actions against either broker since.
What's the minimum deposit at Plus500 vs XTB?
Plus500's standard UK retail minimum is £50. XTB has no fixed minimum deposit, making it more accessible for traders wanting to start with a smaller amount. In practice, neither minimum should dictate your decision on its own: fund an account with an amount that reflects the position sizes you actually intend to trade, with enough cushion to withstand normal market movement.
Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Plus500. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with XTB. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.