A head-to-head comparison of Admirals and FBS across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Multi-regulated broker with extensive account range, competitive Zero account spreads, strong EU regulation and quality webinar and education content.
Admirals edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 vs FBS's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FBS offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.5 pips for Admirals, reducing trading costs.
Admirals has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Both brokers offer equivalent trading costs across spreads, commissions, and account types.
Admirals edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2001 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Tallinn, Estonia | Belize City, Belize |
| Min deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $20/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 3000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Admirals | Visit FBS |
Pros
Extensive range of accounts including Zero, Trade, and Invest
Strong FCA and CySEC regulation covering EU and UK traders
High-quality educational content including live webinars
Zero account offers spreads from 0.5 pips with $6 round-turn commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Very low $1 minimum deposit on Cent accounts
MT4 and MT5 on all account types
Multiple account types including Cent, Zero Spread, and ECN
Widely available across Southeast Asia, MENA, and Africa
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Platform-heavy - MT4 and MT5 only, no proprietary platform
Customer support quality varies by region
Not available to US clients
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
Primary entity uses IFSC Belize - offshore, limited investor protection
Bonus turnover requirements are onerous
Very high leverage (3000:1) is a significant risk factor for retail clients
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Admirals | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Admirals ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 3.9/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Admirals and FBS may each suit different trader profiles.
FBS offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Admirals's spreads from 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FBS has a lower minimum deposit of $1, while Admirals requires at least $100. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Admirals holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. FBS may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: FBS has a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Admirals offers maximum leverage of 500:1, while FBS offers up to 3000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Admirals charges $6 per lot, lower than FBS's $20 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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