This comparison pits two CFD crypto brokers on safety, asset depth, and platform reach, highlighting differing regulatory coverage and entry points.
ActivTrades edges FBS by 0.3 points in editorial score, thanks to stronger regulation and compensation coverage.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you prioritise top-tier regulation and compensation coverage. It also provides negative balance protection.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you want a $1 minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 access. You also get 24/7 multilingual support.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades wins for security due to FCA regulation and FSCS coverage up to GBP 1,000,000.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1 |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 20.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and FBS rates 3.4/5. ActivTrades has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
FBS lists a lower spread from 0, compared with ActivTrades's 0.5. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
ActivTrades holds top-tier regulation (FCA, CMVM, SCB), providing stronger investor protections. FBS may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
ActivTrades stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus FBS's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
FBS charges $20 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. FBS has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
ActivTrades scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
ActivTrades wins for low fees with a higher Fees & Spreads score (3.6 vs 3.4).
ActivTrades offers broader coin lineup with 10 assets versus 6 at FBS.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access or staking.
| N/A |
| 2 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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