Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Romania’s growing retail trading community, choosing between FXTM and Plus500 is a key decision. FXTM (score 4.3/5) is a well-established broker offering extensive educational resources, multiple account types, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. Plus500 (score 3.7/5) is a user-friendly CFD platform popular for its simplicity and no-commission trading. Both are regulated by ASF Romania, ensuring local compliance. However, FXTM’s higher rating, lower minimum deposits, and tailored services for Romanian traders—including RON-denominated accounts—make it a stronger option for those seeking flexibility. This comparison breaks down costs, platforms, and local features to help you decide based on your trading style.
| Instrument | FXTM | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | Plus500 |
When comparing trading costs for Romania traders, FXTM generally offers lower spreads, particularly on its ECN accounts where spreads can start from 0.1 pips on major forex pairs. Plus500 uses a spread-only model with no commissions, but its spreads are fixed and often wider—for example, EUR/USD spreads average 0.6 pips on FXTM’s standard account versus 0.8 pips on Plus500. Volume matters: active traders in Romania will benefit more from FXTM’s variable spreads, while casual traders may prefer Plus500’s predictable costs. Both brokers have no hidden fees for deposits via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, or Skrill, but FXTM’s lower spreads can save significant costs over time.
| Account Type | FXTM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:300 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | FXTM | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
FXTM provides the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, which is widely used by Romania traders for its advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. Plus500 offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, known for intuitive design and quick order execution but lacking MT4 compatibility. For Romanian traders seeking customization and algorithmic trading, FXTM’s MT4 is superior. Plus500’s platform is better for beginners who prioritize simplicity. Both platforms are available in Romanian language, but FXTM offers more tools for technical analysis.
| Factor | FXTM | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FXTM uses ECN/STP execution for low latency and minimal slippage, ideal for active Romania traders. Plus500 uses market maker execution, which can result in requotes during high volatility. FXTM’s execution is generally faster and more reliable for scalping and news trading, while Plus500 suits longer-term positions. For Romania traders focusing on precision, FXTM is superior.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXTM and Plus500 are regulated by the Romanian Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), ensuring they meet local standards for client fund segregation and reporting. FXTM is also regulated by CySEC and FCA, providing additional oversight. Plus500 is ASF-authorized and listed on the London Stock Exchange, adding transparency. For Romania traders, ASF regulation means both brokers must follow strict rules on leverage (up to 1:30 for retail clients) and negative balance protection. This regulatory framework offers peace of mind, especially for growing retail traders in Romania.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. | 1 to 3 business day |
Romania traders can fund their accounts via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill at both brokers. FXTM accepts minimum deposits of $10 (or equivalent in RON) via Skrill and credit cards, making it accessible for small traders. Plus500 requires a minimum of $100 for bank transfers but $50 for credit cards. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for both brokers, with FXTM offering faster Skrill withdrawals. FXTM also supports local bank transfers in RON, while Plus500 processes in EUR or USD. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but FXTM’s lower minimums and RON support make it more convenient for Romanian traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
FXTM offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Romania’s Muslim traders, available upon request and compliant with Sharia law. These accounts have no overnight interest charges. Plus500 does not provide Islamic accounts, which may be a dealbreaker for traders who require swap-free trading. For Romania’s growing Muslim community, FXTM is the only viable option between these two brokers. The account is available on all platforms, including MT4, and includes standard trading conditions.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
FXTM offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Romanian language assistance available. Plus500 provides 24/7 support but only in English and a few major languages. For Romania traders, FXTM’s dedicated local support is more accessible and responsive. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FXTM | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | FXTM |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FXTM |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For Romania traders, FXTM (4.3/5) is the superior choice over Plus500 (3.7/5) due to its lower spreads, flexible account options, and better support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. Plus500 is adequate for beginners who value simplicity, but FXTM’s ASF regulation, MT4 platform, and Islamic account availability make it more suitable for Romania’s growing retail trading community. If you prioritize cost efficiency, customization, and local features, FXTM is the clear winner.