Thinking of trading through your company or investing on behalf of a business? Hereโs what you need to know about corporate accounts on Plus500 โ and what to do if thatโs your goal.
Why You Canโt Open a Business Account on Plus500 โ And What That Means
Plus500 is built with individual retail traders in mind. From registration to withdrawals, everything is designed to be quick, personal, and easy. But that also means thereโs no support for business or corporate accounts.
Thatโs right โ Plus500 does not allow accounts to be opened under a company name or managed by a legal business entity.
When you open a Plus500 account, you must:
- Register with your personal name, not a business
- Verify using your own identity and proof of address
- Use a bank account in your name โ not a companyโs
- Accept that all trades, gains, and taxes are tied to you as an individual
Thereโs no way to submit company incorporation documents, assign trading permissions to multiple users, or structure the account under your business. This is confirmed not just by official FAQs but also by traders across Reddit, Trustpilot, and forums like Trade2Win.
Why Plus500 Doesnโt Support Corporate Accounts
The platform is regulated by authorities like the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus) and others, and those licenses are geared toward offering retail-focused CFD trading. Supporting corporate accounts would require:
- Different onboarding systems
- Additional risk controls
- Business-level compliance processes
- More complex reporting
Plus500โs model is to keep things lightweight, fast, and user-friendly โ and business accounts would conflict with that simplicity.
Can I Use a Business Bank Account Anyway?
No, and hereโs why that matters.
Plus500 has strict rules about funding and withdrawal. Your account must only be funded using:
- A bank account
- Credit/debit card
- Or e-wallet registered under your personal name
Trying to use a corporate account โ even if youโre the sole director โ can trigger problems like:
- Delayed transactions
- Rejected withdrawals
- Account freezes for โsuspicious activityโ
Pro Tip: Open a second personal bank account just for trading. That way, you keep your finances clean for bookkeeping while staying compliant with Plus500โs terms.
What If Iโm Self-Employed or a Freelancer?
Youโre not alone โ many people who trade on Plus500 also run small businesses. If youโre a sole trader, freelancer, or self-employed professional, you can still use Plus500 as long as you:
- Trade under your own name
- Use your own documents for verification
- Handle taxes personally
Just remember: You canโt register using your business name, and you canโt claim it as a company account later.
Mini Scenario: Anna runs a solo design studio and wants to reinvest earnings through trading. She opens a personal Plus500 account, tracks everything with a spreadsheet, and consults an accountant at year-end. When her trading profits grow, she later moves to a platform that supports business accounts. Thatโs a smart path.
Real Stories: What Traders Are Saying
Across forums and review sites, the sentiment is consistent:
- โTried to register my business โ got told itโs not allowed.โ
- โWish they had an option for corporate accounts, but I understand why they donโt.โ
- โMoved to IBKR after outgrowing Plus500. Itโs great for beginners, but not for serious operations.โ
Most traders agree: Plus500 is beginner-friendly, but itโs not designed for companies or advanced account setups.
Best Alternatives That Support Business Trading Accounts
If youโre ready to trade through a company, here are a few solid alternatives:
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR). Perfect for LLCs, partnerships, trusts, and corporations. Full control over user permissions, reporting, and tax documentation.
- Saxo Bank. Supports business accounts and offers dedicated account managers for higher volumes or institutional-style setups.
- CMC Markets. Allows business onboarding with strong analytics and tools. Especially good for UK-based corporate traders.
These brokers do require more paperwork โ business registration, authorized signatories, corporate bank proof โ but theyโre built for long-term growth.
Common Misconceptions (And Clarifications)
โCanโt I just say Iโm trading personally but use business funds?โ No โ and trying that could breach Plus500โs terms. Funds must come from accounts that match your verified name.
โIsnโt the โProfessional Clientโ status the same as a corporate account?โ Nope. Professional Client is a special status for individuals with large portfolios and experience โ not businesses.
โWill Plus500 add business accounts later?โ So far, thereโs no sign. Their updates have focused on mobile apps, instrument lists, and pricing โ not business tools.
Should You Stay on Plus500 If Youโre Running a Business?
That depends. If youโre just:
- Learning the ropes
- Testing strategies
- Trading small amounts
Then using a personal account is totally okay โ and smart. Itโs lightweight, easy to manage, and less intimidating.
But if you:
- Want to reinvest company profits
- Need clear tax accounting
- Plan to grow your trading as a business
Then youโll want to start planning a migration to a platform that supports corporate accounts. This doesnโt have to be overnight โ just make sure your setup matches your long-term goals.
Motivational Nudge: Starting Small Is Not a Mistake
Donโt let the idea of โI need a corporate structure to startโ stop you. Thousands of traders build confidence on Plus500 first. Itโs okay to begin simple and scale when ready.
What matters is:
- Understanding the limits
- Tracking everything carefully
- Staying transparent with yourself (and the tax office!)
Starting with a personal account isnโt a shortcut โ itโs a launchpad. And you can grow into your business trading setup when itโs time.
Final Thoughts
Clarity gives you control. The more you understand now, the fewer surprises youโll face later. And youโre already ahead โ because you asked the right question.
FAQs
1. Can I open a corporate account on Plus500? No. Plus500 only supports individual retail accounts. You must register with your personal name and identity documents.
2. Can I deposit with a company bank account? No. Your deposit method must match your verified personal details. Business bank accounts are not allowed.
3. Iโm a freelancer โ can I trade on Plus500? Yes. You can trade as long as youโre using your own identity and personal bank account. Pro Tip: Use a dedicated personal account for trading to keep things organized.
4. What happens if I use business funds by mistake? Plus500 may reject the transaction or freeze your account. Itโs best to separate funds from day one.
5. Does Plus500 offer โProfessionalโ accounts for companies? No. โProfessional Clientโ status is for experienced individuals โ not business entities.
6. Are there other brokers that allow company accounts? Yes. Interactive Brokers, Saxo Bank, and CMC Markets all support business onboarding. Pro Tip: Check their documentation requirements before applying.
7. Can I switch my Plus500 account to a company account later? No. Thereโs no upgrade path. Youโd need to open a new account elsewhere and close your Plus500 one if needed.
8. Will my taxes be affected if I trade personally vs through a business? Yes. Business accounts allow for different deductions and structures. Pro Tip: Talk to an accountant about whatโs best based on your countryโs tax rules.
9. Is it illegal to use a personal account for business trading? Not illegal โ but risky if youโre managing external funds or hiding business activity. Transparency is key.
10. Iโm just starting โ should I avoid Plus500 because of this? No. Plus500 is still a great place to learn and test. Just know its limits and plan ahead.
11. I feel stuck โ should I stay or move to a business-ready platform? Itโs okay to stay while learning. But if youโre already earning or scaling, consider the long-term fit.