Share Trading comparison
Plus500 vs tastytrade
Plus500 and tastytrade are both options-friendly platforms, but they operate in completely different worlds. Plus500 is a CFD broker regulated by ASIC — you never actually own the underlying asset. tastytrade is a US-domiciled broker built for serious US options traders, offering real shares and options on US markets. If you want to trade Australian shares, neither is your answer, but the practical difference comes down to CFDs vs real US securities.
Choose
Plus500
if…
- ›You want to trade CFDs on indices, commodities, forex and crypto — Plus500 offers a wide range of CFD instruments that tastytrade doesn't touch
- ›You need a platform that accepts AUD deposits via BPAY, PayPal, card or bank transfer without messing around with international wires
- ›You want 24/7 customer support in Australian time zones — Plus500's live chat and WhatsApp support runs around the clock
- ›You're comfortable with synthetic exposure (CFDs) rather than holding real shares, and you understand the risks of leveraged derivatives
- ›You want a demo account to practice CFD trading before committing real money
Choose
tastytrade
if…
- ›You want to trade real US stocks, ETFs and options — tastytrade deals in actual securities, not CFDs
- ›You're an active US options trader who values low per-contract pricing and a platform built specifically for multi-leg option strategies
- ›You want to hold USD directly in your account without being forced through FX conversion on every trade
- ›You need a desktop trading platform with advanced charting and analysis tools — Plus500 has no desktop app
- ›You want Sharesight or Navexa integration for automated portfolio tracking and CGT reporting
Where they differ
| Fact | Plus500 | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| What you actually trade | CFDs only — no real shares, ETFs or bonds | Real US stocks, ETFs, options and bonds |
| Minimum deposit | $100 AUD | $0 |
| Deposit methods | BPAY, bank transfer, card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay | International wire (USD), ACH (US only), cheque (US only) |
| Inactivity fee | $10 AUD | $0 |
| Customer support hours (AU time) | 24/7 live chat, email and WhatsApp | ~10pm-8am AET weekdays only — no AU business hours |
Verdict
Choose Plus500 for easy CFD trading with AUD deposits; choose tastytrade for real US options and equities with professional-grade tools.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | Plus500 | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | — | custodian |
| Individual HIN | — | No |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | Yes |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | No | Yes |
| SMSF account | No | No |
| Kids / minor account | No | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | No | No |
| ASX ETFs supported | No | No |
| US shares supported | No | Yes |
| US ETFs supported | No | Yes |
| Other markets supported | ||
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | No | No |
| Options trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs supported | Yes | No |
| Managed funds | No | No |
| Bonds supported | No | Yes |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | 70% | — |
| Holds USD account | No | Yes |
| FX currency switch trick | — | No |
| Market data fees | $0/month | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Corporate action fees | Not applicable — Plus500 only offers CFDs, so users do not participate in real corporate actions (rights issues, SPPs, takeovers). Dividend adjustments on share CFDs are credited/debited to positions automatically. | Standard US corporate action processing applies (dividends, splits, mergers). Mandatory corporate actions are processed at no fee; voluntary corporate actions (e.g. tender offers) may incur a fee per tastytrade's fee schedule. |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX free trade conditions | — | Not applicable — tastytrade does not offer ASX trading. |
| US brokerage minimum | — | US$0 |
| US brokerage percentage | — | 0% |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | — |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Plus500AU Pty Ltd | tastytrade, Inc. |
| AFSL number | 417,727 | — |
| Year founded | 2,008 | 2,017 |
| Parent / ownership | Plus500 Ltd (UK/Israel, LSE-listed parent) | IG Group Holdings plc (LSE: IGG) |
| Country of incorporation | AU | US |
| Public company status | public | public |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | — | $0 |
| Deposit methods | BPAY, Bank transfer, Credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay | international wire (USD), ACH (US only), check (US only) |
| Settlement period | — | T+1 (US equities/ETFs, from May 2024) |
| Withdrawal time | Typically 1-3 business days; same payment method as deposit (card, bank, e-wallet). | International wire withdrawals to AU typically 3-5 business days |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | Yes |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | Yes | No |
| 2FA support | SMS only | authenticator app |
| Customer support channels | Live chat, Email, WhatsApp, Contact form | phone, email, live chat |
| Support hours (AU time) | 24/7 live chat, email and WhatsApp support | Monday-Friday, approx. 7am-5pm US Central Time = approx. 10pm-8am AET (next day). Weekend support limited. No AU business-hours coverage. |
| Education content | structured courses | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | No | No |
| Distribution component breakdown | No | No |
| CGT calculator / report | No | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | No | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | No | No |
| Auto-invest sophistication | none | none |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | No | No |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |