Plus500 vs Reuters Eikon compares two entirely different tools: a retail CFD trading platform and an institutional market data terminal. Plus500 lets you execute trades with zero subscription cost, while Reuters Eikon delivers deep analytics at ~$1,500/month.
This guide shows their functions, costs, and how to decide which fits your trading or research needs.
TL;DR — Are They Even Comparable?
Plus500 is a retail CFD trading platform; Reuters Eikon is an institutional market data terminal. They serve different roles and cannot replace each other, but can be used together — execution on Plus500, research on Eikon.
Key differences:
- Function: Trade execution vs. advanced analytics
- Cost: $0 commission vs. ~$1,500/month
- Data Scope: Basic charts vs. global institutional datasets
What Plus500 Is
Plus500 is a retail CFD broker regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. It provides leveraged trading in CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and crypto via its WebTrader and mobile apps — unlike institutional data platforms such as Reuters Eikon.
What Reuters Eikon Is
Reuters Eikon, by Refinitiv, is an institutional market data terminal for professional traders and analysts. It delivers real-time prices, order book depth, macroeconomic data, and global news. Designed for research—not retail execution—it supports decision-making before trades on separate platforms under an enterprise-level subscription model.
Side-by-Side Core Comparison
This Plus500 vs Reuters Eikon comparison table shows how a retail CFD broker from Plus500 contrasts with the Refinitiv Reuters Eikon institutional data terminal. Use it to determine which fits your trading or research workflow.
| Criteria | Plus500 (CFD Broker) | Reuters Eikon (Refinitiv Data Terminal) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Purpose | Trade CFDs | Market data, analytics & news |
| Execution | Yes | No |
| Target Users | Retail traders | Institutional desks, analysts |
| Cost Model | Spread-based | Subscription (~$1,500/mo) |
| Data Depth | Retail-level market data | Full institutional market depth |
Who Needs Which?
Recommended For
- Plus500 → Beginner to intermediate retail traders seeking low-cost CFD trading on a simple, regulated platform without subscription fees.
- Reuters Eikon (Refinitiv) → Institutional analysts, fund managers, and macro researchers needing real-time market data, global news feeds, and advanced analytics.
Not Suitable For
- Plus500 → Institutional-level research or multi-asset analytics beyond CFDs.
- Reuters Eikon → Traders with low capital, execution-only strategies, or retail-focused budgets.
Decision Tip:
If you need direct CFD execution, choose Plus500. If your priority is institutional-grade data and analytics, go with Reuters Eikon.
Cost & Pricing
Plus500 uses a spread-based model with no commissions, plus overnight funding fees; typical EUR/USD spreads start near 0.8 pips. Reuters Eikon operates on a fixed subscription (~$1,500/month) with surcharges for premium feeds.
| Model | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plus500 | Spread-based | Lower upfront, costs scale with volume |
| Eikon | $1,500+/month | Best ROI for $10M+ AUM desks |
At $1,500/month, Eikon equals ~0.018% of a $10M portfolio, making it viable only for high-capital operations.
Data & Tools — Core Functional Differences in Plus500 vs Reuters Eikon
Plus500 vs Reuters Eikon tools differ in scope, depth, and execution capabilities — making them suitable for entirely different trading environments.
| Feature | Plus500 (CFD Broker) | Reuters Eikon (Data Terminal) |
|---|---|---|
| Market Data Coverage | Retail-level quotes, limited historical depth | Global macro data, institutional-grade feeds |
| Charting & Analytics | Basic charts for order execution | Advanced multi-asset charting, deep analytics |
| Trade Execution | Direct in-platform CFD trading | Requires separate broker or API for execution |
Market Data Coverage
Plus500 offers streamlined retail pricing data, adequate for short-term CFD speculation.
Eikon delivers comprehensive institutional coverage — essential for macro traders, analysts, and research desks making multi-market decisions.
Charting & Analytics
Plus500 supports basic chart types for quick execution.
Eikon provides advanced, multi-asset analytics with deep historical datasets for strategy testing and market research.
Trade Execution
Plus500 enables immediate in-platform trading.
Eikon does not execute trades directly, requiring integration with a separate broker.
Verdict:
Choose Plus500 if you need low-cost, direct execution with basic tools; opt for Eikon if institutional-grade analytics outweigh execution convenience.
Can They Work Together?
Reuters Eikon and Plus500 have no native integration. Traders can analyse markets in Eikon’s institutional-grade terminal, then manually execute CFDs in Plus500. API-based links are possible only if an intermediary broker supports both.
This pairing suits those needing advanced analytics with retail-level execution, but adds workflow steps.
Final Verdict — Choose Based On Your Priority
For most traders, Plus500 vs Reuters Eikon is not a like-for-like choice. Select Plus500 if you need low-cost CFD execution with a simple retail interface. Opt for Reuters Eikon if your work demands institutional-grade data, deep analytics, and global coverage without execution. The right pick depends on whether execution cost or market intelligence drives your strategy.
FAQs
Q1. Can I trade via Reuters Eikon?
No. Reuters Eikon is a market data terminal without direct execution. To place trades, including CFDs on Plus500, you must connect through a separate broker. See “Can They Work Together?” above.
Q2. Does Plus500 provide Reuters news?
No. Plus500 offers in-platform updates and basic market headlines, but not the full Reuters Eikon news feed or institutional-grade coverage. See “Data & Tools” section for details.
Q3. Is Reuters Eikon worth it for retail traders?
Rarely. Compared to Plus500’s zero-subscription access, Eikon’s ~$1,500/month cost only pays off if trading or managing assets at institutional scale.