Plus500 USA Trading Broker Review

‹
• Go to:
• General Information
• Account Information
• Trading Information
• Leverage
• Deposit Methods
• Regulations and Security
• Account Types and Features
• Opening an Account
• Trading Platforms
• Trading Instruments
• Trading Conditions
• Deposits and Withdrawals
• Additional Services
• Customer Support
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion
›

Plus500US is a leading U.S.-based online broker specializing in futures trading. Operating under the stringent regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a proud member of the National Futures Association (NFA), Plus500US delivers a secure and transparent trading experience to customers from around the country. Headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, the platform empowers traders by providing access to over 60 futures contracts across key markets like forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and interest rates.

At-a-glance Statistics

Number of Tradable FX pairs

Number of Regulators

TrustPilot Rating

Number of TrustPilot Reviews

Traffic & Engagement

• Total visits, December 2024:156,452
• Device distribution:
• Desktop: 33.51%
• Mobile: 66.49%
• Visit duration: 00:01:11

Social Traffic

• Visitors:
• Youtube: 0.16%
• X: 75.87%
• Other: 23.97%

Geographic Distribution of Plus500 US Website Traffic

Plus500 US Contact Information

Plus500US offers flexibility and precision, giving traders the opportunity to engage with the dynamic futures market using advanced tools and a proprietary user-friendly platform compatible with mobile and desktop devices. With offerings like e-mini and micro e-mini contracts, traders can speculate on market movements or hedge against price fluctuations with greater accessibility and reduced capital requirements.

Since its establishment in 2008, the global Plus500 brand has become synonymous with innovation, and its U.S. subsidiary continued this legacy after its launch in 2021. By prioritizing cutting-edge technology, regulatory compliance, and client-focused features, Plus500US ensures traders at every level can confidently navigate the complexities of the futures markets.

General Information about Plus500 US

Account Information

Trading Information

Leverage

Deposit Methods

Regulations and Security

Plus500US operates under stringent regulatory oversight to ensure a secure and transparent trading environment for its clients. Its parent company, the Plus500 Group, services more than 26 million traders worldwide and has been in operation for over 15 years. It has licenses from multiple regulatory authorities, including ASIC, CySEC, MAS, and FCA. The Plus500 Group trades its shares on the London Stock Exchange, further consolidating its spotless reputation among traders. As of January 2025, Plus500US is fully compliant with U.S. financial regulations, giving local traders peace of mind that their funds and personal information are protected.

The company is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the primary regulatory body overseeing the futures and options markets in the United States. Registered as a Futures Commissions Merchant with the CFTC, Plus500US is also a member of the National Futures Association (NFA), which ensures that the platform adheres to the industry’s high standards for integrity, fairness, and transparency. These regulatory bodies enforce strict guidelines to protect investors, monitor trading activity, and ensure that brokers operate with honesty and clarity. The U.S.-facing website is operated by the Group’s subsidiary Plus500US Financial Services LLC.

In terms of security, Plus500US places a strong emphasis on safeguarding client data and funds. The platform utilizes state-of-the-art encryption technologies to protect all sensitive information, including your financial details and personal data. Furthermore, client funds are held in segregated accounts, meaning they are kept separate from the company’s own funds, providing an additional layer of protection in the event of financial difficulties. Plus500US also employs robust anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to prevent fraud and ensure the legitimacy of its clients. All onboarding customers must undergo obligatory identity and address verification before they can start trading and moving funds from their Plus500US live accounts.

Account Types and Features

Plus500US makes things simpler for traders with a single account type that supports both real-money and paper trading. This spares customers the hassles of researching and comparing multiple account types to determine which one best fits their needs. All newly registered traders automatically start with demo accounts, with the option to upgrade to live accounts after uploading the necessary documents for verification.

• Standard Account

  The Standard Account is the only account type available for live futures trading with real money. It provides access to a somewhat underwhelming range of around 60 futures contracts across major asset classes like forex, indices, commodities, interest rates, and cryptocurrencies. There are no complex commission tiers or difficult-to-calculate fees. Customers pay commissions of $0.89 each way for standard futures contracts and $0.49 per side for micro contracts. This simplicity makes Standard Accounts at Plus500US an ideal choice for beginners looking to explore the markets without wasting unnecessary time on trading-cost calculations.

• Demo Account

  Plus500US also offers a Demo Account for individuals who want to practice and familiarize themselves with the platform before committing with real money. The demo account simulates the live trading environment, providing users with a starting virtual balance of $50,000. Clients who run out of credits to trade with can replenish their demo balance with just a few clicks. This account is perfect for new traders looking to practice strategies, explore the platform’s functionalities, and build confidence without the fear of suffering financial losses.

Opening an Account with Plus500US

1. Visit the Website: Go to the official Plus500US website. Look for the “Open Account” button located on the homepage and click on it.
2. Create a Profile: You will be prompted to provide basic personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, Social Security Number (SSN), and residential information. Make sure all information is accurate to avoid delays during the verification process.
3. Provide Employment Information: Specify your current employment status and provide information about the company that currently employs you. Additionally, you must specify your annual income, source of funds, and the value of your investments and savings.
4. Complete the Suitability Test: Provide correct answers to the questions to prove you are experienced enough to engage in futures trading.
5. Verify Your Email and Phone Number: Enter the verification codes Plus500US has sent via email and text message.
6. Verify Your Identity: To comply with regulatory standards, Plus500US requires users to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure. This involves uploading proof of identity (passport, identity card, or driver’s license) and proof of residence (utility bill, salary slip, lease agreement, bank statement, etc.). This step ensures the platform complies with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
7. Account Approval: Once your documents are verified, your account will be activated, and you will gain full access to the trading platform.
8. Deposit Funds: The next step is funding your account. Plus500US offers a variety of deposit methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. The minimum deposit requirement is $100, making the broker accessible for most retail traders.
9. Start Trading: Once your deposit is processed, you can start trading on the Plus500US platform. The intuitive design allows both new and experienced traders to navigate the platform with ease, and the demo account option is always available for further practice.

This simple, efficient registration process ensures that traders can start exploring the futures markets with minimal hassle. Whether you’re looking to test out your strategies or dive straight into live trading, Plus500US offers a seamless experience from sign-up to order execution.

Trading Platforms

Plus500US offers its traders a seamless and user-friendly experience through a proprietary platform, setting it apart from other brokers that typically rely on third-party solutions like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5). The broker facilitates trading on both desktop and mobile devices via advanced proprietary software designed by Cunningham Trading Systems (CTC), a company Plus500 acquired shortly before launching in the U.S. in 2021.

• TradeSniper – A mobile trading app available for both iOS and Android devices. This app is ideal for onboarding clients who prefer to trade on the go, providing a smooth and intuitive interface for executing trades, monitoring the markets, and managing portfolios from the comfort of one’s surroundings. It offers essential features such as real-time market alerts, custom notifications for margin calls and expiring positions, and take-profit and stop-loss orders to automate trading strategies. The app allows traders to switch between Demo and Real Money mode, making it easy for beginners to practice before committing with real funds. Customers can download the free native apps from Google Play or the App Store provided their portable devices meet the minimum system requirements of Android 8.0 or iOS 15.0.
• Plus500 WebTrader – On the desktop side, Plus500US offers a proprietary WebTrader, a browser-based platform boasting powerful analysis and trading capabilities. This platform is particularly beneficial for those who prefer a larger screen for trading, as it includes advanced charting tools, real-time market data, and the ability to manage trades in an organized manner. The Plus500 WebTrader supports various types of contracts, including micro and e-mini futures contracts. These smaller-sized contracts offer a lower barrier to entry and are suitable for traders who lack the capital to trade standard futures contracts. E-minis are one-fifth the size of a standard futures contract, enabling customers to gain exposure to the futures market while reducing their risk. The WebTrader is compatible with a broad range of desktop browsers, including but not limited to Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.

Both the mobile app and desktop platform are designed with the traders’ convenience in mind, making Plus500US a strong contender for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich platform for futures trading.

Trading Instruments at Plus500US

Plus500US customers have access to over 60 futures contracts across different asset classes like forex, commodities, indices, interest rates, and cryptocurrencies. These are tradable via standard, micro, and mini contracts, ensuring a lower barrier to entry for customers having limited capital at their disposal. Clients can further increase their exposure to the futures markets by using leverage but the minimum margin requirements change from one day to the next. Some futures contracts require a minimum margin as low as $20 but as we said, this is subject to change.

• Forex Futures: Customers can choose from 14 futures contracts involving currency pairs, including micro contracts for AUD/USD, GBP/USD, EUR/USD, and CAD/USD.
• Index Futures: Clients seeking exposure to the index markets can trade 11 standard, micro, and mini futures for major indices like Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nikkei, and Russell 2000, among others.
• Commodity Futures: Futures for various hard and soft commodities are also available at Plus500US, including crude oil, natural gas, lean hogs, wheat, corn, live cattle, gold, silver, platinum, and copper. Minimum margin requirements for commodity futures range from $25 to $2,200.
• Cryptocurrency Futures: The range of cryptocurrency futures is limited to the two most popular options, Ethereum and Bitcoin. These are tradable via micro futures contracts. Trading Bitcoin Friday futures is also an option at Plus500US.
• Interest Rate Futures: Traders can further diversify their portfolios with standard and micro futures on US Treasury Notes and T-Bonds. Minimum margins fluctuate between $45 and $500 at the time of publication.

While not as extensive as its global offering, Plus500 provides a decent enough range of futures contracts to its U.S. customer base. The availability of less common options like interest rates stands out, while the option to trade micro and e-mini contracts makes it considerably easier for clients on a budget to join in. We could not help but notice the absence of stocks from the trading roster of Plus500 but traders can still capitalize on U.S. share price fluctuations with futures on major indices like Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500.

Unlike CFDs, which are not permitted under U.S. regulations, futures contracts are fully compliant with CFTC and NFA guidelines. This ensures that traders benefit from both the security of regulated markets and the freedom to capitalize on global trends.

Trading Conditions

Plus500US offers competitive trading conditions with low fixed commissions based on contract size. All charges are clearly listed on the platform, saving clients the hassles of calculating their trading costs on their own. The regulatory and exchange fees are included in the listed commissions. Standard contracts incur commissions of $0.89 per side, bringing your round-turn expenses to $1.78 in total. Commissions for micro contracts are nearly twice as low at $0.49 ($0.98 in total). Automatically liquidated positions are subject to a $10 auto liquidation fee. Additionally, there is a regulatory fee of $0.02 per side payable to the NFA but as we already mentioned, these costs are included in the trades’ commissions in the platform.

The broker does not penalize casual traders with inactivity fees. There are no additional charges for routing, account opening, or using the proprietary platform, either. The platform supports multiple order types, including market, limit, and stop loss orders, allowing traders to manage their risk exposure more efficiently. Plus500US relies on a fast execution model to ensure client orders are processed with minimal slippage under normal market conditions. Intra-day margin requirements vary by asset, with more volatile instruments requiring higher margins. Traders must maintain sufficient funds to avoid margin calls and auto liquidation.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Plus500US provides a seamless and secure process of moving funds to and from your live balance. The platform supports a variety of payment methods, ensuring flexibility for all traders. Below is a detailed look at the available options and key points related to deposits and withdrawals at Plus500US. We should also highlight that registered clients must verify their payment method by uploading photos of a bank statement or the front and rear sides of their debit cards in their account dashboard.

Deposit Methods

Plus500US offers several convenient deposit methods for traders to fund their accounts:

• Bank Transfers: Ideal for larger transactions, bank transfers take up to 5 business days to process. Customers using this method must provide a valid transfer reference number to prevent further delays. The transfer must be initiated from a bank account registered in the client’s own name. Bank transfers are reliable but obviously slower compared to card payments and digital wallets. Another thing worth mentioning is that minimum deposit requirements here are higher at $200 per transaction.
• Debit Cards: Deposits can be made with debit cards by Visa and Mastercard. The deposited funds will not appear in your balance until Plus500US receives them in its segregated client funds bank account, which may take between 1 and 3 business days, according to the broker. The timeframes largely depend on the transmission path through the banking system and the banking deadlines of the financial institution whose services you use. The minimum deposit here is lower at $100. Plus500US does not accept deposits with credit and prepaid cards.
• Digital Wallets: Plus500US supports several digital wallet options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, both of which enable instant deposit, allowing traders to join the price action without unnecessary delays.
• Minimum Deposit: The minimum deposit required is typically $100, which is accessible for most traders starting out with the platform. Bank transfers are an exception to this rule as they have a higher minimum deposit requirement of $200. As for the maximum limit, customer deposits cannot exceed $10,000 per transaction regardless of the payment method used.

Withdrawal Methods

Withdrawing funds from Plus500US is similarly straightforward and secure. Traders must use the same methods for withdrawals as they used for deposits. Here’s an overview:

• Bank Transfers: Withdrawals via bank transfer may take up to 5 business days. Plus500US normally processes withdrawal requests within 1 to 3 business days. Additional processing times largely depend on the internal timeframes of your bank or financial institution.
• Debit Cards: These withdrawals are processed quickly, usually within 1 to 3 business days.
• Note: Withdrawals are processed on weekdays during business hours. If a withdrawal request is made outside these hours, it may be delayed until the next business day.

Fees and Charges

Plus500US does not charge any fees for deposits or withdrawals. However, traders should be aware that some third-party payment providers like banks and card issuers may impose additional charges, which are outside the control of Plus500US.

Additional Services

Plus500US offers a range of additional services designed to enhance the trading experience. We outline them briefly in the section below.

• Demo Account: A free demo account allows users to practice trading with virtual funds, helping them familiarize themselves with the platform before trading with real money. Upon registering with Plus500US, onboarding clients receive $50,000 in virtual credits but reloading the depleted demo account is an option for those who end up bringing their balance to zero. The account closely replicates the real-life trading environment, giving you a clear picture of the actual market conditions. Customers can conveniently switch back and forth from paper to live trading from the main account dashboard.
• Educational Resources: Although not extensive, Plus500US provides fundamental trading guides and articles to help unversed customers navigate the complexities of futures trading. The Learn section of the website features a bevy of free educational videos, giving you an in-depth look at the most commonly implemented strategies and the benefits of incorporating futures into your trading portfolio.
• Advanced Charting Tools: The Plus500US platform boards powerful charting capabilities, offering real-time price charts, technical indicators, and drawing tools to allow traders to perform in-depth market analysis. Various charting patterns are available, including Fibonacci Fans, Gartley, and Elliot Waves.
• Alerts and Notifications: Users can set customized alerts for price changes, margin calls, and other important events to stay informed and make timely decisions.

Customer Support

Availability and Contact Methods

Customer support is available 24/7, providing timely and professional assistance to customers from the United States. Plus500US understands the importance of adequate help, especially in the fast-moving futures markets. You can reach the support team through:

• Live Chat: Instant responses for urgent inquiries, available directly on the Plus500US website and trading platform.
• Contact Form: For less urgent matters and more complex inquiries, users can enter their details and outline their issues in the contact form on the website to receive a response via email.
• Phone Support: Plus500US does not provide telephone support at the time of publication but hopefully this will soon change.

Additionally, Plus500US offers a comprehensive Help Center on its website, providing self-service resources with a FAQs section, guides, troubleshooting articles, and tutorials. This allows users to find answers to common questions and resolve issues without having to wait for customer support.

English Support

The website is available in Spanish and English but customers can receive assistance in English only.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

Plus500US stands out as a premier choice for futures trading, offering a robust and regulated platform tailored to the needs of both novice and experienced traders. With its emphasis on user-friendly tools, advanced analytics, and secure trading, Plus500US simplifies the complexities of the futures market while adhering to strict CFTC and NFA regulations.

The platform’s innovative features make futures trading accessible to most traders regardless of the capital they can put up, while advanced risk management tools help ensure informed and controlled trading decisions. Additionally, the seamless account setup process, multilingual customer support, and cutting-edge platforms like TradeSniper and the Plus500 WebTrader further enhance the overall trading experience.

While the platform’s focus on futures may not cater to traders seeking broader investment opportunities or those accustomed to third-party platforms like MetaTrader, Plus500US positions itself as a reliable and efficient gateway to futures trading. Whether you’re exploring new trading opportunities or refining your existing strategies, Plus500US offers the tools, security, and expertise to help you succeed in the fast-paced world of futures.

Why You Should Trust RationalFX

When it comes to making informed decisions about forex brokers, it's essential to rely on trustworthy sources. RationalFX, a company with over 17 years of experience since its founding in 2005, has established itself as a credible authority in the industry. With an impressive collection of over 2500 reviews on Trustpilot, boasting a score of 4.2, it's clear that Rational FX has built a reputation for providing reliable and unbiased information.

What sets Rational FX apart is its rigorous evaluation process, which considers over 30 different criteria when selecting forex brokers. This comprehensive approach ensures that every aspect of a broker's service is taken in consideration, including regulation, forex spreads, trading platforms, deposit methods, and reputation. With its wealth of experience, transparent review process, and outstanding customer feedback, Rational FX is a trusted source for anyone seeking reliable information on forex brokers. You can reach us via e-mail at feedback@rationalfx.com or contact us through our social media accounts here: Facebook, YouTube, or leave a feedback here.