Alpari International vs FBS Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Alpari International and FBS across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 3.9 / 5
2 bonusesHistoric retail forex brand regulated by FSC Mauritius, offering MT4 and MT5 with ECN and Standard accounts, widely recognised in the CIS and emerging markets but operating under an offshore licence since the Alpari UK collapse.
VS
Our Verdict
Too close to call
Alpari International and FBS are extremely closely matched with scores of 3.9/5 and 3.9/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
FBS has a stronger safety profile: segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
Alpari International has a cost edge: lower commission ($6/lot).
Best for beginners
Recommended
Both brokers share the same editorial score of 3.9/5, but FBS requires a lower minimum deposit ($1 vs $5 for Alpari International), making it more accessible for new traders.
Alpari International vs FBS: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
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 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $20/lot |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 3000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Alpari International | Visit FBS |
Alpari International vs FBS Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
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
Alpari International vs FBS: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
Alpari International
criteria wins
1
FBS
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| 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 vs FBS: Frequently Asked Questions
Alpari International and FBS share the same editorial score of 3.9/5. The right choice depends on your priorities: trading costs, platform preference, or regulatory coverage.
Both Alpari International and FBS offer spreads starting from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
FBS has a lower minimum deposit of $1, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Alpari International is regulated by FSCA, FSC. FBS is regulated by FSCA, CySEC. Always confirm a broker's current regulatory status before opening an account.
For beginners: FBS has a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry; FBS offers negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Alpari International offers maximum leverage of 1000:1, 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.
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 4, MetaTrader 5 and FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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Score 3.9 / 5
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