In this face off, trust and cost structure pull in opposite directions. Dukascopy emphasizes regulation strength and ECN execution, while FBS leans on low deposits and regional reach.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Dukascopy if you prioritize top tier regulation and a proprietary platform with ECN execution.
Choose if…
Choose FBS if you want a $1 minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 with broad regional availability.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.9 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
Pros
Full FINMA banking licence - client cash protected under Swiss deposit guarantee up to CHF 100,000
Genuine interbank SWFX ECN liquidity from 14+ institutional providers
EUR/USD variable spreads from 0.1 pips during London/New York overlap
JForex supports Java/Groovy strategy automation built into the platform
Banking-grade transparency with published balance sheet
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Dukascopy | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Dukascopy rates 4.3/5 and FBS rates 3.9/5. Dukascopy has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
FBS starts from 0 pips, tighter than Dukascopy's 0.1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FBS has $1, while Dukascopy requires at least $1000. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Dukascopy holds top-tier regulation (FSA Seychelles, FINMA), 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.
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.
Dukascopy lists maximum leverage of 200:1, 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.
Dukascopy charges $7 per lot, lower than FBS's $20 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Dukascopy supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Dukascopy has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. FBS has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
FBS offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.10 pips for Dukascopy, reducing trading costs.
Dukascopy wins for safety and regulation with FINMA licence and banking grade oversight.
Dukascopy wins for active traders due to ECN execution and 0.1 pip spreads.
Dukascopy is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($7/lot).
Dukascopy wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 and proprietary JForex.
FBS wins for beginners due to a $1 minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 access.
Dukascopy wins for instrument variety with 1200 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.7 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland | Belize City, Belize |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1,000 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot▼ lower | $20/lot |
|---|
| 0.8 pips▼ lower | 2 pips |
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 3,000:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSA Seychelles FINMA | CySEC FSCA IFSC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
CHF 1,000 minimum deposit excludes traders starting with less than USD 1,000
JForex has a steep learning curve; designed for professional clients
Customer support primarily Swiss business hours
Not available to US residents
No negative balance protection
No 24/5 live chat
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
Dukascopy edges out FBS on editorial score due to stronger regulation and platform options.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker