Two brokers square off on regulation, pricing, and platform options. The contest tests whether broader oversight or aggressive pricing better serves traders.
AvaTrade edges FBS with a higher editorial score. The rating reflects stronger regulation across multiple authorities and a wider platform mix including MT4, MT5, and AvaTradeGo.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FBS offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.90 pips for AvaTrade, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
Pros
Heavily regulated across 6+ jurisdictions
AvaOptions platform for vanilla options trading
Strong educational content and structured courses
Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5 and proprietary AvaTradeGo
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | 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) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | 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 | Pass | 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 |
AvaTrade rates 4.4/5 versus 3.9/5 for FBS. AvaTrade edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
FBS starts from 0 pips, tighter than AvaTrade's 0.9 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FBS has $1, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
AvaTrade holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, ASIC, MFSA), 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: FBS requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
FBS charges $20 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for AvaTrade are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
AvaTrade wins for regulation with multiple authorities, including ASIC and MFSA.
FBS excels for active traders with 3000:1 leverage and ECN options.
FBS is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
AvaTrade wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5 and AvaTradeGo.
AvaTrade offers about 1250 instruments, more than FBS.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | Belize City, Belize |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $20/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 2 pips |
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 3,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
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
Inactivity fee of $50 after 3 months of no trading
Not available to US residents
Spread-only model means no raw ECN pricing
No investor compensation scheme
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
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