A head-to-head comparison of eToro and FBS across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best-in-class social and copy trading on a clean proprietary web/mobile platform. FCA / CySEC / ASIC regulated.
eToro edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs FBS's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FBS offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 1 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
eToro has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
FBS has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
eToro offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
eToro edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Israel | Belize City, Belize |
| Min deposit | $50 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $20/lot |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 3000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC AMF CySEC FSRA CMVM Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet ASF FSC CNB MNB KNF Finanstilsynet HCMC MFSA CMA FSA Seychelles | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit eToro | Visit FBS |
Pros
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
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
Wider FX spreads
Withdrawal fee
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | 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) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, eToro ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 3.9/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; eToro and FBS may each suit different trader profiles.
FBS offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to eToro's spreads from 1 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 eToro requires at least $50. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
eToro holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, AMF), providing stronger investor protections. FBS may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
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.
eToro offers maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; eToro exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; FBS exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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