Comparison of Plus500 vs TradeStation [ 2024 ]

The best brokers to invest in cryptocurrencies compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is thePlus500 vs TradeStation comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Plus500

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

tradestation

TradeStation

Main points

Fees

Low 3,7/6

Regulated

FCA, CySEC

Demo account

Yes
Low 4,2/5

Fees

FINRA, SEC

Regulated

Yes

Demo account

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

No
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.0 – Plus500 provides good value with tight spreads and no commission on trades. The inactivity fee after three months and currency conversion fees are potential downsides .
3.9 – TradeStation charges competitive volume-based fees starting at $2 + 0.65% for small trades. The complex fee structure and $10 monthly inactivity fee are notable drawbacks .

Level

Low 3,7/6
Low 4,2/5

Brief explanation

Plus500’s commission structure is designed to be straightforward, primarily utilizing the market spread. This means that the cost to trade is embedded in the difference between the buy and sell prices, rather than in explicit fees. For example, spreads can vary from 0.02% to 2%, depending on the cryptocurrency and market conditions. While this can be competitive, it may be higher compared to other platforms, especially for less liquid assets. In addition to the spread, Plus500 charges an overnight funding fee, which applies when positions are held open past a certain time. This fee can be either a charge or a credit, depending on the direction of the trade and the current interest rates. Additionally, there is a currency conversion fee for trades conducted in a currency different from the account’s base currency. Plus500 also implements an inactivity fee of up to $10 per month if no login activity occurs for three months, which continues to accrue until the account is active again. Despite these potential costs, Plus500 does not charge for deposits or withdrawals, which is a significant advantage. Users can fund their accounts via various methods including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like PayPal. This fee structure makes Plus500 accessible and predictable for users, with the primary costs tied to the actual trading activity and specific conditions of the account .
TradeStation charges competitive fees for cryptocurrency trading, though there are some costs to be aware of. Trading commissions are based on a tiered structure, starting at 0.30% per trade for monthly volumes up to $100,000 and decreasing to 0.20% for volumes above $1 million. This makes TradeStation suitable for both small and large traders. Additionally, there is a spread markup, which is the difference between the bid and ask prices, typically ranging from 0.5% to 1%. The platform also charges an inactivity fee of $50 if there is no trading activity for 12 months, and wire transfer withdrawal fees are $25 for US clients and $35 for international clients. These fees can add up, especially for infrequent traders. Despite these costs, TradeStation’s comprehensive tools and security measures can justify the expenses for those who prioritize advanced trading capabilities and regulatory compliance.

Plus500

TradeStation

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Account Minimum

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Product selection

Native token

Plus500 does not have a native token.
TradeStation does not have a native token.

Earns

Plus500 does not offer staking or earning options for cryptocurrencies. It focuses on trading crypto CFDs .
TradeStation does not provide staking or earning options with cryptocurrencies. The platform allows direct trading of certain cryptocurrencies .

NFT marketplace

Plus500 does not have an NFT marketplace.
TradeStation does not have an NFT marketplace.

Cripto/debit card

Plus500 does not offer a card for its clients .
TradeStation does not have a card for its clients .

Company information

Full name

Plus500 Ltd​​.
TradeStation Securities, Inc.​​.

Regulation

FCA (UK), ASIC, CySEC, FMA (New Zealand), FSCA (South Africa), MAS​​.
SEC, FINRA (USA)​​.

Year founded

2008​​
1982​​

Founder

Alon Gonen, Shimon Sofer, Shlomi Weizmann, Elad Ben-Izhak, Gal Haber, Omer Elazari​​
William Cruz, Rafael Cruz​​

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes, Plus500 accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .
Yes, TradeStation accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .

Mastercard

Yes, Plus500 accepts Mastercard for deposits​​.
No, TradeStation does not accept Mastercard for deposits​​.

Wire transfer

Wise is not mentioned as a supported payment method .
Wise is not mentioned as a supported payment method .

Card

Yes, Plus500 accepts credit/debit cards .
No, TradeStation does not accept credit/debit cards .

Comparative table

Plus500 Features TradeStation
Firstrade allows low minimum trade amounts, making it accessible for beginners to start investing in cryptocurrencies.
Minimum Trade
TradeStation allows for low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners.
The platform offers competitive trading fees, although some users might find hidden costs associated with certain transactions.
Trading and Transaction Fees
Fees are higher than some competitors, especially for withdrawals.
Firstrade supports over 30 cryptocurrencies, providing a good range of options for investors.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Only offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin.
While it offers a variety of cryptocurrencies, the number of available trading pairs is somewhat limited compared to other platforms.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Limited to major coins, restricting diversification opportunities.
Firstrade’s website is transparent and informative, clearly outlining fees, security measures, and available services.
Website Transparency
TradeStation provides clear and detailed information about its services and fees.
Plus500 does not offer a card for its clients .
Credit/Debit Card
TradeStation does not have a card for its clients .
Firstrade lacks a dedicated cryptocurrency wallet, requiring users to use third-party services for storing their digital assets.
Storage Offering
Utilizes secure storage solutions with BitGo for crypto assets.
The platform currently does not offer staking or reward programs, which can be a downside for users looking to earn passive income.
Staking and Rewards
No staking or rewards programs available.
Firstrade offers a highly rated mobile app and a robust desktop platform, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Mobile App and Desktop
Both platforms are user-friendly and feature-rich, but the mobile app has fewer features.
Firstrade’s customer service is reliable but not available 24/7, which can be an inconvenience for users needing assistance outside business hours.
Customer Service
Customer service is decent but has room for improvement in response times and support quality.
Firstrade offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, although the lack of instant processing for some methods can be a drawback.
Deposit and Withdraw
Limited methods and high fees for withdrawals, making it less user-friendly.

Key features

Analysis tools

Plus500 offers a WebTrader platform with advanced charting tools and technical indicators. They also provide innovative tools such as +Insights and Traders’ Sentiment for market analysis .
TradeStation provides a powerful desktop trading platform with customizable sophisticated analysis tools, custom charts, and a detailed order book for crypto trading. They also offer mobile app trading with improved charting capabilities .

Mobile APP

Yes, Plus500 offers a user-friendly mobile app for trading CFDs on cryptocurrencies and other instruments .
Yes, TradeStation offers a mobile app that includes advanced charting, trading, and analysis tools .

Security

Plus500 is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including the FCA and ASIC. They offer negative balance protection for CFD trading and are listed on the London Stock Exchange, enhancing transparency and security​​.
TradeStation is regulated by the SEC and FINRA, providing high investor protection levels. They offer SIPC insurance but do not provide negative balance protection. Their parent company is publicly listed, enhancing transparency​​.

Additional features

Plus500 is a CFD trading platform offering a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. They provide a user-friendly WebTrader platform and a mobile app with powerful research tools. Plus500 offers competitive spreads and operates under multiple regulations, ensuring a secure trading environment. However, they do not allow the direct purchase of cryptocurrencies, only trading on price movements through CFDs .
TradeStation offers direct cryptocurrency trading for a limited selection of coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin. Their platform includes advanced features like strategy development and technical analysis through the TradeStation Master Class. They also support crypto trading in IRAs and provide competitive volume-based fees. However, their crypto offerings have decreased in recent years .

Anonymity

Plus500 requires identity and residence verification during the account opening process, so anonymous accounts are not supported .
Anonymous accounts are not supported on TradeStation. Personal and financial information along with verification documents are required​​.

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

Plus500 offers trading in cryptocurrency CFDs. The available cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), NEO, Ripple (XRP), IOTA, Stellar (XLM), EOS, Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Cardano (ADA), Tron (TRX), and Monero (XMR)​​.
TradeStation offers trading in a few cryptocurrencies. The supported cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USDC) .

User-friendliness

Plus500 is known for its intuitive WebTrader platform, which simplifies the process of trading cryptocurrency CFDs. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with a clean and minimalist interface that makes it easy to navigate. Plus500’s focus on CFDs means users do not own the underlying assets, which can be a limitation for those looking to hold actual cryptocurrencies .
TradeStation provides a powerful and intuitive platform for trading cryptocurrencies. The platform is designed to cater to both novice and experienced traders, with a range of tools and features that enhance the trading experience. While the selection of cryptocurrencies is limited, the platform’s overall usability and support make it a solid choice for crypto trading​​.

Value for money

Plus500 offers solid value for money with no deposit or withdrawal fees and a user-friendly platform. Its tight spreads and zero commission on trades are major benefits, although the minimum withdrawal amounts and inactivity fees could be drawbacks​​.
TradeStation offers good value with competitive volume-based fees and a range of trading tools. Its inactivity fee of $10 per month and the administrative fee for IRAs might be less attractive for occasional traders​​.

Countries of operation

United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, United Arab Emirates .
United States, available to most other countries except restricted regions like North Korea and Sudan .

Best for

Plus500 is ideal for traders who want a simple and intuitive platform for trading cryptocurrency CFDs without the need to manage actual crypto assets. It’s best for those who prefer a straightforward, user-friendly experience with competitive spreads​​.
TradeStation is suited for experienced traders who value advanced trading tools and direct access to crypto trading. Its detailed order book and professional-grade platform make it ideal for those who want to trade and analyze cryptocurrencies deeply​​.

Account

Trading

Plus500 supports crypto CFD trading with a user-friendly interface and a variety of cryptocurrencies. It offers leverage and competitive spreads, making it accessible to both new and experienced traders.
TradeStation offers a limited selection of cryptocurrencies but provides a powerful trading platform with advanced tools and features. It is suitable for traders who want to integrate crypto trading with other financial products.

Deposit and withdrawal

Plus500 supports deposits and withdrawals through bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. Transactions are generally processed quickly, though some methods may incur small fees.
TradeStation supports deposits and withdrawals primarily via bank transfers. While the process is secure, it can be slower and more expensive compared to other brokers, with fees for wire transfers.

Account opening process

The account opening process at Plus500 is quick and fully digital. Users fill out an online form with personal and financial information, and submit verification documents. Accounts are usually approved within one business day.
Opening an account with TradeStation is fully digital and user-friendly. Users need to provide personal and financial information and submit verification documents. The process usually takes one to two business days for approval.

KYC required?

KYC verification is mandatory at Plus500. Users need to provide identification documents and proof of address during the account opening process.
TradeStation requires KYC verification. Users need to provide personal identification documents and proof of address before they can start trading.

Customer Service

Plus500 offers customer support through live chat and email, but does not provide phone support. The support is available 24/7 and is known for being responsive and efficient, though the lack of phone support can be limiting.
TradeStation provides customer support via phone, email, and live chat. The support is available during market hours and is generally responsive, though some users find the service to be slower during peak times.

Security

Plus500 is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including the FCA and ASIC. They offer negative balance protection for CFD trading and are listed on the London Stock Exchange, enhancing transparency and security​​.
TradeStation is regulated by the SEC and FINRA, providing high investor protection levels. They offer SIPC insurance but do not provide negative balance protection. Their parent company is publicly listed, enhancing transparency​​.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

As an expert at our website, I find Plus500 to be a robust and user-friendly platform for trading cryptocurrencies. Its intuitive interface makes it ideal for beginners, while its range of available cryptocurrencies ensures that even more experienced traders can find what they need. The lack of commission fees is a significant advantage, allowing users to trade more cost-effectively. However, it’s essential to be mindful of the spreads and potential withdrawal fees. Overall, Plus500 offers a secure and efficient environment for cryptocurrency trading, backed by strong regulatory oversight and advanced security measures.
As an expert in the crypto market, I find TradeStation to be a solid platform for those who prioritize security and advanced trading tools. While its cryptocurrency offerings are limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin, the platform excels in providing a highly regulated environment and robust trading features. TradeStation’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive educational resources make it a suitable choice for both seasoned traders and those looking to gain deeper insights into crypto trading. However, the high withdrawal fees and limited deposit options are areas that could be improved to enhance the overall user experience.

How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

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