Plus500 US | tastyfx | |
---|---|---|
Overall Rating | 4.5 | 4.4 |
Trust | 4.6 | 4.6 |
Fees | 4.8 | 4.5 |
Platforms and Tools | 4.3 | 4.6 |
Tradable Instruments | 4.4 | 3.6 |
Customer Support | 4.1 | 4.5 |
Research | 4.1 | 4.7 |
Deposit and Withdrawal | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Account Types and Terms | 5.0 | 4.2 |
Education | 4.4 | 3.1 |
Regulators & Max Leverage | 1:50 (CFTC), 1:50 (NFA) | 1:50 (CFTC), 1:50 (NFA) |
Foundation Year | 2008 | 1974 |
Fees Test | Low | Low |
Tradable Instruments | 52 | 82 |
Trading Platforms | Mobile Platform, Plus500 Web Platform | MT4, ProRealTime, tastyfx Web Platform, tastyfx Mobile App, TradingView |
Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
Read Reviews |
Plus500 US is a well-known name in the online trading space, recognized for its broad selection of tradable instruments, user-friendly platform, and advanced market analytics. Founded in 2008, this U.S.-based fintech firm has grown into a global leader. It offers a diverse range of instruments and holds multiple regulatory licenses. Plus500 is also listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), a testament to its trustworthiness and financial stability.
Tastyfx – formerly known as IG US – is a financial derivatives broker backed by one of the biggest names in the industry. It features an impressive lineup of platforms, including its proprietary Web Trader, ProRealTime, the widely used MetaTrader 4, and the seamless TradingView. Tastyfx also supports low-latency trading through VPS hosting, ensuring stable and fast connectivity for active traders.
Plus500 US Best for Tradable Instruments |
tastyfx Best for Trading Platforms |
Tightly regulated | Global brand |
Publicly traded | High trust rating |
69 futures contracts | Ultra-fast order execution speeds |
Intuitive platform | MT4, TradingView, ProRealTime + tastyfx platform |
Robust market research | VPS hosting |
Competitive commissions | Tight spreads |
Low intraday margins | Cash rebates |
Plus500 US is a financial derivatives broker offering 69 futures contracts across a wide range of markets, including currencies, metals, energies, agricultural commodities, equity indices, interest rates, and cryptocurrencies. Headquartered in New York, the broker serves futures traders across the United States. It provides advanced market analytics, comprehensive educational content, plus highly competitive trading commissions and minimal account-related fees.
Plus500 US offers tailor-made solutions for futures traders of all experience levels. Its impressive lineup of instruments across multiple asset classes allows traders to take advantage of diverse market opportunities. The broker strikes a fine balance between low-risk securities, such as bonds, and higher-yield/risk assets, such as cryptocurrencies.
One of the most important advantages of Plus500 US is its highly competitive trading commissions and minimal account-related fees, making it a cost-effective choice for active futures traders. In addition, the broker offers a versatile trading platform packed with advanced market analytics, responsive customer support, and a strong suite of educational materials — further enhancing the overall trading experience.
Recommended in 6 best broker guides: |
US Brokers | Trading Apps | Beginners | Futures | Commodities | No Deposit Bonus |
While tastyfx was launched in 2019, its parent company, IG Group, traces its roots back to 1974 — bringing over 50 years of experience to the table. Since then, it has built a strong reputation as a trustworthy and feature-rich broker with a wide array of trading platforms and tools. In addition to its advanced Web Trader platform, tastyfx also offers access to ProRealTime, MetaTrader 4, and TradingView, and provides VPS hosting for enhanced performance and connectivity.
Tastyfx operates as a market maker, acting as the counterparty to client orders. Backed by a large and well-established parent company, the broker combines this model with robust infrastructure to deliver ultra-fast execution speeds and access to deep liquidity. This makes it a strong choice for scalpers and high-volume traders who prioritize speed and precision.
In addition to its wide selection of trading platforms and tools, tastyfx stands out with industry-leading execution speeds, averaging around 17 milliseconds — far faster than the industry benchmark of 60 milliseconds. To support low-latency trading strategies, the broker also offers free VPS hosting for funded accounts with a balance of at least $2,000.
Recommended in 6 best broker guides: |
US Brokers | Trading Platforms | Low Spreads | Beginners | MT4 | Professionals |
Trust Rank | 4.6 | 4.6 |
Regulators & Max Leverage | 1:50 (CFTC), 1:50 (NFA) | 1:50 (CFTC), 1:50 (NFA) |
Foundation Year | 2008 | 1974 |
Publicly Traded |
Plus500 US is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and is a member of the National Futures Association (NFA). The broker adheres to strict safety standards and keeps client funds in segregated accounts. In addition, Plus500 has a long operating history and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: PLUS). It is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index and a company valued at over a billion dollars. Its legal documents are readily accessible and written in clear, easy-to-understand language.
Tastyfx, as a U.S.-based broker, is also regulated by the CFTC and is a member of the NFA. It complies with the same strict safety regulations, including segregated client funds and a maximum retail leverage of 1:50. The broker’s licensing information is detailed and transparent. Its parent company, IG Group, dates back to 1974 and is one of the oldest and most experienced forex brokers globally. IG Group is also publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: IGG) and is a member of the FTSE 250.
Fees Rank | 4.8 | 4.5 |
Inactivity Fee |
Plus500 US charges a $0.89 per side commission for Standard and E-Mini contracts, and a $0.49 single-turn commission for Micro contracts. Additionally, the broker applies a $10 liquidation fee per contract. On the plus side, Plus500 US does not charge platform fees, data fees, deposit or withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, or routing fees. Live testing showed that, overall, Plus500 US’s fees and commissions fall on the lower end of the industry range.
Tastyfx offers a universal trading account with commission-free trading and floating spreads starting from 0.8 pips. Its margin rates begin at 2%. Live testing revealed that spreads on major currency pairs are highly competitive, while spreads on exotic pairs tend to fall in the medium-to-high range. Tastyfx does not charge fees for deposits, withdrawals, or inactivity. In addition, active traders who reach a monthly notional volume of $50 million or more are eligible for cashback on every lot traded.
If you want to learn more about brokers’ regulations, be sure to check out our article on the top regulated forex brokers.
Platform Rank | 4.3 | 4.6 |
Trading Platforms | Mobile Platform, Plus500 Web Platform | MT4, ProRealTime, tastyfx Web Platform, tastyfx Mobile App, TradingView |
Mobile Apps | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
Plus500 US has invested heavily in the development of its proprietary Web Trader, which features over 100 technical indicators, drawing tools, and various chart configuration options. The charts are fluid, high-definition, and highly responsive. Price action is easily scalable and can be analyzed from multiple perspectives. The platform also allows users to set price alerts and customize watchlists. Its modern design and intuitive user experience truly set it apart in the industry.
Tastyfx excels in the platforms category with its diverse range of trading interfaces, including MetaTrader 4, TradingView, ProRealTime, and its own proprietary Web Trader. I tested tastyfx’s in-house platform and rated it among the best in its class. It offers a clean, user-friendly interface and includes 33 technical indicators, 19 drawing tools, 17 timeframes, and 5 chart types. It also supports one-click trading, chart-based order placement, watchlist customization, and smooth order execution. Traders can place market, limit, and stop orders with ease. I particularly appreciated the ability to tailor the layout to personal preferences and create multiple custom workspaces.
In case you’re looking for brokers that offer third-party platforms, check out our guides on the best MT4 forex brokers, MT5 forex brokers, TradingView and cTrader forex brokers.
Tradable Instruments Rank | 4.4 | 3.6 |
# Tradable Instruments | 52 | 82 |
# Currency Pairs | 82 |
Plus500 US shines in the tradable instruments category with its 69 futures contracts across currencies, metals, energies, agricultural commodities, interest rates, equity indices, and cryptocurrencies. Clients can choose instruments that match their trading style — ranging from highly volatile assets like natural gas to more stable instruments such as the US T-Bond. The availability of standard, mini, and micro contracts offers flexibility and helps beginners or traders with smaller accounts better manage their risk.
tastyfx offers 82 currency pairs, including major, minor, Australasian, Scandinavian, exotic, and emerging market pairs. While the broker deserves recognition for offering some rare crosses, it does not currently provide access to alternative markets. Adding spot commodities and equities would significantly enhance its offering.
Customer Support Rank | 4.1 | 4.5 |
Availability | Available 24/7 | Available 24/5 |
Live Chat |
Plus500 US provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, though phone support is unavailable. I was impressed with the knowledge level of the support agents, who responded quickly — almost immediately — each time I reached out. I also found the broker’s comprehensive FAQ section helpful for addressing general questions.
tastyfx offers customer support 24 hours a day, from 3 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Friday (EST), via live chat, email, and phone. Emails were typically answered the same day or within 24 hours, and I was able to connect with a helpful representative via live chat or phone within just a few minutes.
Research Rank | 4.1 | 4.7 |
News (Top-Tier Sources) | ||
Economic calendar | ||
Videos/Webinars | ||
Trading Central (Recognia) | ||
Autochartist |
Plus500 US offers a wide array of research tools and materials, giving clients a 360-degree view of recent market developments and emerging trading opportunities. The research content includes a sophisticated economic calendar, in-depth market reviews, and insightful market analysis.
tastyfx also provides a strong range of high-quality research materials. The broker delivers various market breakdowns and technical analyses that give traders a broad and detailed understanding of what’s moving the markets, why, and when. While the content available directly on the tastyfx website is somewhat limited in volume, it is enhanced by a first-class news feed from Thomson Reuters and actionable trading signals from Autochartist.
Deposit and Withdrawal Rank | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Deposit Options | ACH, Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, ACH, Visa, Mastercard |
Withdrawal Options | Wire Transfer, ACH, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, ACH, Visa, Mastercard |
Withdrawal Fee |
Plus500 US accepts payments via bank wire, credit and debit cards, international bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Processing times vary but fall within standard industry timelines. The broker does not charge handling fees for deposits or withdrawals, though third-party processing fees may apply.
Clients of tastyfx can deposit and withdraw funds via bank wire, international bank transfer, credit and debit cards, or Automated Clearing House (ACH). Processing times can take up to three business days. While the broker does not charge deposit fees, there is a $15 fee for withdrawals made via bank transfer.
Account Types and Terms | 5.0 | 4.2 |
# Base Currencies | - | 82 |
Islamic Account | ||
Demo Account | ||
Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
Plus500 US offers a single trading account for futures trading. The minimum deposit requirement is $100. Intraday margins (the initial amount needed to open a futures position) vary by asset class, ranging from as low as $20 for Micro Ether to as high as $800 for Crude Oil. New clients are eligible for a bonus of up to $200 in free commissions on their first deposit.
tastyfx offers a single retail trading account featuring commission-free trading and floating spreads from 0.8 pips. The minimum deposit requirement is $250. Margin requirements range from 2% for EUR/USD to 5% for GBP/USD, with a maximum retail leverage of 1:50.
Education Rank | 4.4 | 3.1 |
Videos | ||
Webinars |
Plus500 US delivers layered and highly sophisticated educational content tailored to traders of all experience levels — from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. Its Futures Trading Academy includes in-depth articles and videos that explore technical analysis, fundamental analysis, and trading psychology.
tastyfx’s educational materials focus on the basics of trading. Newcomers can learn about forex fundamentals, chart analysis, and how leverage functions in margin trading. The platform also explains how to use market, limit, and stop orders. While the content provides a solid foundation for beginners, it remains limited in depth and scope.
Since 2011, FX Empire has developed a detailed methodology for evaluating CFD brokers, involving over 250 variables across nine crucial categories. Our team of experts, with deep industry knowledge, conducts live testing and research by interacting with the brokers directly. We check regulations, open accounts, test spreads, account costs, platform functionality, instrument variety, customer support reliability, and the quality of research and educational content. This granular analysis helps us identify each broker’s strengths and weaknesses, keeping our comparisons current with market trends and ensuring our guides meet traders’ needs.
We strive to evaluate each broker objectively, considering how their offerings align with the diverse trading goals and preferences of our readers. Our focus is on providing a balanced overview of each broker’s strengths and weaknesses. This method ensures that our readers receive clear, insightful comparisons to aid in making well-informed trading decisions.
We employ a comprehensive rating system across nine key categories:
In each category, we conduct an in-depth analysis for both brokers, outlining features, advantages, and disadvantages and determining their suitability for different trader profiles. By blending insights from our extensive reviews with first-hand experiences and observations, we ensure each comparison is balanced, informative, and tailored to the trader’s unique needs. You can read more about our review process here.
Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.
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