A head-to-head comparison of FBS and Global Prime 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.
ASIC-regulated NDD/ECN broker with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and one of the most transparent execution reports in retail forex - a strong choice for active traders who prioritise verified execution quality over marketing.
Global Prime 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.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
Global Prime has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Global Prime has a cost edge: lower commission ($7/lot).
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
Global Prime 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 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Belize City, Belize | Sydney, Australia |
| Min deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | ASIC VFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 cTrader |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FBS | Visit Global Prime |
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
ASIC regulated with published quarterly execution quality reports
Raw spreads from 0.0 pips with $7 round-turn commission
True NDD execution - no internal position matching
MT4 and cTrader available
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
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
$200 minimum deposit
Limited product range - forex and major CFD classes only
No proprietary platform or copy trading
No investor compensation scheme
No 24/5 live chat
No phone support
Support available in limited languages
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Global Prime 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 Global Prime may each suit different trader profiles.
Both FBS and Global Prime offer spreads starting from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
FBS has a lower minimum deposit of $1, while Global Prime requires at least $200. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Global Prime holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, VFSC), 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 Global Prime offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Global Prime charges $7 per lot, lower than FBS's $20 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
FBS supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader; both support MetaTrader 4; FBS exclusively offers MetaTrader 5; Global Prime exclusively offers cTrader.
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