A head-to-head comparison of FBS and FXTM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Offshore broker with CySEC and IFSC licensing, dominant in Southeast Asia and MENA through heavy localised marketing and generous bonuses - best evaluated on regulatory strength rather than promotion value.
CySEC and FCA-regulated broker with broad emerging-market reach, strong copy trading via MyFXBook integration, and a low $10 minimum deposit that makes it accessible to first-time traders.
FXTM 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 1.5 pips for FXTM, reducing trading costs.
FXTM has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
FXTM 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 | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.5 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2009 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Belize City, Belize | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 1.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA FSCA CySEC FSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FBS | Visit FXTM |
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
Pros
Low $10 minimum deposit on Micro accounts
Strong copy trading via FXTM Invest platform
Extensive education - webinars, video courses, and market analysis
Multilingual support in 20+ languages
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
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
Cons
Standard account spreads are not ECN-competitive
Platform choice limited to MT4 and MT5
Mauritius FSC entity offers less investor protection than FCA/CySEC
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, FXTM 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; FBS and FXTM may each suit different trader profiles.
FBS offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to FXTM's spreads from 1.5 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 FXTM requires at least $10. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FXTM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), 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.
FBS offers maximum leverage of 3000:1, while FXTM offers up to 1000:1. 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.
FBS supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and FXTM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
Open an account directly with the broker that suits you best.
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