FBS vs IG Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of FBS and IG 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.
VS
IG invented spread betting in 1974 and remains the benchmark for experienced UK and European traders: unmatched market breadth, a genuinely excellent proprietary platform, and regulatory credibility that few brokers can match - at the cost of slightly higher charges than specialist ECN desks.
Our Verdict
IG winsClear Winner
IG comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.8/5 compared to FBS's 3.9/5.
IG
4.8/5
FBS
3.9/5
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 0.6 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
IG has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
FBS has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
IG offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IG edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
FBS vs IG: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.5 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2009 | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Belize City, Belize | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CMVM CBI KNF Finanstilsynet |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FBS | Visit IG |
FBS vs IG Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
LSE-listed with FCA and ASIC regulation - among the most credible regulatory stacks in retail CFDs
19,000+ markets including weekend crypto, volatility indices, and EM pairs - genuine breadth, not a padded count
Proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and DMA equity routing built in
Spread betting available for UK clients - tax-free gains on the same account used for CFD trading
No minimum deposit and no deposit or withdrawal fee on standard methods
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer 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
Cons
Market maker on forex - not suitable for scalpers who need sub-0.1 pip raw ECN spreads
Inactivity fee of £12/month kicks in after 24 months with no trades
Onboarding verification is slower than smaller or offshore brokers
Customer support quality drops outside UK business hours
FBS vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
FBS
criteria wins
4
IG
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | FBS | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
FBS vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 3.9/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FBS and IG may each suit different trader profiles.
FBS offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to IG's spreads from 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
IG has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, DFSA), 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: IG has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), 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 IG offers up to 30:1. 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 IG offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 4; FBS exclusively offers MetaTrader 5; IG exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView.
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