Comparison of Firstrade vs Plus500 [ 2024 ]

The best brokers to invest in cryptocurrencies compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is theFirstrade vs Plus500 comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Firstrade

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Plus500

Main points

Fees

Low 4/5

Regulated

FINRA, SEC

Demo account

No
Low 3,7/6

Fees

FCA, CySEC

Regulated

Yes

Demo account

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

No
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

3.5 – Firstrade charges a 1% fee on crypto trades, which is higher than some competitors. Despite this, its low fees on other investment options and user-friendly platform add value .
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 .

Level

Low 4/5
Low 3,7/6

Brief explanation

Firstrade offers competitive and straightforward commission structures for cryptocurrency trading. The platform charges a flat fee of 1% for buying or selling cryptocurrencies, which is relatively high compared to some other exchanges but remains transparent without additional hidden fees​​. Trading Commissions Firstrade’s trading fee for cryptocurrencies is set at 1% of the trade value. This fee applies uniformly to all cryptocurrency transactions, ensuring that users are aware of the costs upfront. The simplicity of this fee structure is advantageous for those who prefer clarity and straightforward pricing. Other Fees Firstrade does not charge any deposit fees, making it cost-effective to add funds to your account. However, while withdrawals via ACH are free, wire transfers incur a fee of $25, which is something users should be mindful of when planning their fund withdrawals​​. Overall, Firstrade’s commission structure is designed to be transparent and easy to understand, with the primary cost being the 1% trading fee on all cryptocurrency transactions. This can be beneficial for traders who value simplicity and predictability in their trading costs.
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 .

Firstrade

Plus500

Guide sponsored by the best exchange

eToro

eToro Special Offer*

Earn up to 4.90% APY on uninvested cash with eToro USA.

Account Minimum

Get started with just $100.

And 1% fee on all cryptocurrency trades.

etoro logotipo

Direct link to the website

Product selection

Native token

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

Earns

Firstrade does not offer staking or earning options for cryptocurrencies. It focuses on trading a variety of digital assets .
Plus500 does not offer staking or earning options for cryptocurrencies. It focuses on trading crypto CFDs .

NFT marketplace

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

Cripto/debit card

Firstrade does not offer a card for its clients .
Plus500 does not offer a card for its clients .

Company information

Full name

Firstrade Securities Inc.​​.
Plus500 Ltd​​.

Regulation

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

Year founded

1985​​
2008​​

Founder

John Liu​​
Alon Gonen, Shimon Sofer, Shlomi Weizmann, Elad Ben-Izhak, Gal Haber, Omer Elazari​​

Payment methods

Transfers

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

Mastercard

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

Wire transfer

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

Card

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

Comparative table

Firstrade Features Plus500
Firstrade allows low minimum trade amounts, making it accessible for beginners to start investing in cryptocurrencies.
Minimum Trade
Firstrade allows low minimum trade amounts, making it accessible for beginners to start investing in cryptocurrencies.
The platform offers competitive trading fees, although some users might find hidden costs associated with certain transactions.
Trading and Transaction Fees
The platform offers competitive trading fees, although some users might find hidden costs associated with certain transactions.
Firstrade supports over 30 cryptocurrencies, providing a good range of options for investors.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Firstrade supports over 30 cryptocurrencies, providing a good range of options for investors.
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
While it offers a variety of cryptocurrencies, the number of available trading pairs is somewhat limited compared to other platforms.
Firstrade’s website is transparent and informative, clearly outlining fees, security measures, and available services.
Website Transparency
Firstrade’s website is transparent and informative, clearly outlining fees, security measures, and available services.
Firstrade does not offer a card for its clients .
Credit/Debit Card
Plus500 does not offer 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
Firstrade lacks a dedicated cryptocurrency wallet, requiring users to use third-party services for storing their digital 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
The platform currently does not offer staking or reward programs, which can be a downside for users looking to earn passive income.
Firstrade offers a highly rated mobile app and a robust desktop platform, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Mobile App and Desktop
Firstrade offers a highly rated mobile app and a robust desktop platform, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
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
Firstrade’s customer service is reliable but not available 24/7, which can be an inconvenience for users needing assistance outside business hours.
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
Firstrade offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, although the lack of instant processing for some methods can be a drawback.

Key features

Analysis tools

Firstrade offers a variety of tools and resources including research reports, market data and analysis, and educational resources such as webinars and articles .
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 .

Mobile APP

Yes, Firstrade offers a mobile app available for iOS and Android devices, designed for a seamless trading experience .
Yes, Plus500 offers a user-friendly mobile app for trading CFDs on cryptocurrencies and other instruments .

Security

Firstrade is regulated by the SEC and FINRA in the United States, offering a high level of security. They follow strict security measures to protect client accounts and personal information​​.
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​​.

Additional features

Firstrade offers trading on 38 popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Their platform is integrated with Apex Crypto for secure storage and trading. Firstrade provides a highly-rated mobile app for seamless trading on the go and features like real-time data and analytics, 24/7 trading, and instant fund access. They charge a high spot crypto fee of 1% of the trade value but provide a user-friendly experience for beginners .
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 .

Anonymity

Firstrade does not support anonymous accounts. The account opening process includes submitting personal details and verification documents .
Plus500 requires identity and residence verification during the account opening process, so anonymous accounts are not supported .

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

Firstrade provides access to 38 cryptocurrencies. These include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), Stellar (XLM), Solana (SOL), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and more​​.
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)​​.

User-friendliness

Firstrade offers a highly-rated mobile app for crypto trading, designed to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience. The platform supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies and allows for easy buying and selling. While it lacks a dedicated crypto wallet and some advanced features, its simplicity and accessibility make it a good choice for beginners looking to manage their crypto investments alongside other asset classes .
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 .

Value for money

Firstrade offers a strong value proposition with low fees and no minimum deposit, making it accessible for beginners. However, its 1% trading fee on crypto is higher compared to some competitors, which could affect active traders​​.
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​​.

Countries of operation

United States, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Singapore, Hong Kong .
United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Israel, United Arab Emirates .

Best for

Firstrade is best for US-based investors who want a straightforward, user-friendly platform to trade a variety of cryptocurrencies. Its mobile app and low fees make it a good option for beginners and those looking to manage their crypto investments alongside traditional assets​​.
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​​.

Account

Trading

Firstrade has limited offerings in cryptocurrency trading, focusing primarily on traditional securities. It may not be the best option for dedicated crypto traders.
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.

Deposit and withdrawal

Firstrade primarily supports deposits and withdrawals via bank transfers and checks. The process can be slower compared to other brokers, and international clients might face additional hurdles.
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.

Account opening process

Opening an account with Firstrade involves completing an online application and submitting personal and financial information. Verification documents are required. The process can take a bit longer compared to other brokers, especially for international clients.
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.

KYC required?

Firstrade mandates KYC verification. Users must provide personal identification documents and proof of address as part of the account opening process.
KYC verification is mandatory at Plus500. Users need to provide identification documents and proof of address during the account opening process.

Customer Service

Firstrade provides customer support via phone and email, but does not offer live chat. The support is available during regular business hours, and while it is generally helpful, the lack of live chat can be a drawback for some users.
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.

Security

Firstrade is regulated by the SEC and FINRA in the United States, offering a high level of security. They follow strict security measures to protect client accounts and personal information​​.
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​​.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

As an expert on our website, I find Firstrade to be a reliable choice for anyone looking to start investing in cryptocurrencies. The platform offers a secure and user-friendly experience, with competitive trading fees and a robust mobile app. However, the absence of a dedicated crypto wallet and 24/7 customer support are areas that could use improvement. Overall, Firstrade is a solid option for beginners and seasoned investors alike, thanks to its strong regulatory framework and extensive market experience.
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.

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.

More comparatives Firstrade and Plus500