Deriv vs FBS Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Deriv and FBS across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
VS
Our Verdict
Deriv winsby 0.2 pts
Deriv edges ahead with a score of 4.1/5 vs FBS's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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
Recommended
FBS offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.5 pips for Deriv, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for active traders
Recommended
FBS has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Deriv edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
Deriv vs FBS: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Birkirkara, Malta | Belize City, Belize |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $20/lot |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 3000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | VFSC LFSA FSC BVI MFSA | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Deriv | Visit FBS |
Deriv vs FBS Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7 - unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
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
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
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
Deriv vs FBS: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Deriv
criteria win
2
FBS
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Deriv | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Deriv vs FBS: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Deriv ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Deriv and FBS may each suit different trader profiles.
FBS offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Deriv'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 Deriv requires at least $5. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Deriv is regulated by VFSC, LFSA. 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; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Deriv 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.
FBS charges $20 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade and FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 5; Deriv exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; FBS exclusively offers MetaTrader 4.
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