This comparison pits Alpari International and FBS across regulation, pricing, and platforms. The axis of tension centers on safety features and available instruments.
Alpari International and FBS are closely matched overall, but FBS offers negative balance protection that Alpari International does not.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you value a long brand history and ECN accounts with $6/lot commissions.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you want a $1 minimum deposit Cent account and multiple account types including Cent, Zero Spread, and ECN.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
Pros
26-year brand history in retail forex
Mature PAMM investor platform, one of the originals
ECN accounts with $6 per-lot commission competitive with top ECN desks
Wide geographic reach across CIS, MENA, and Africa
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Alpari International and FBS share the same editorial score of 3.9/5. One concrete differentiator: FBS requires a lower minimum deposit.
Both Alpari International and FBS start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
FBS has $1, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Alpari International is regulated by FSC, FSCA. FBS is regulated by FSCA, CySEC. Confirm a broker's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
FBS 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.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while FBS lists up to 3000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Alpari International charges $6 per lot, lower than FBS's $20 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
FBS is stronger on regulation with CySEC licensing and funds segregation.
FBS wins for active traders with 3000:1 leverage and diverse accounts.
Alpari International is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot).
FBS wins for beginners with a $1 Cent account and multiple starter options.
Equally matched; both offer MT4 and MT5 across accounts.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Belize City, Belize |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $20/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 2 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 3,000:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Raw spread account available
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
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
FSC Mauritius licence, lower investor protection than FCA/ASIC/CySEC
Legacy of UK entity collapse in 2015 is a cautionary reference point
No top-tier regulatory licence for its core international client base
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
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
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Score 3.9 / 5
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