FBS and Plus500 face off in a tight comparison of fees, platforms, and regulation. The axis of tension centers on licensing quality and instrument range.
FBS and Plus500 are closely matched, but Plus500's top-tier regulation sets it apart.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FBS offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.60 pips for Plus500, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.5 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: FBS rates 3.9/5 and Plus500 rates 4/5. Plus500 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 Plus500's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FBS has $1, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Plus500 holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, MAS), 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: FBS requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FBS lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, while Plus500 lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FBS charges $20 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Plus500 are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. FBS has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Plus500 wins for safety and regulation with top-tier licenses and investor compensation coverage.
FBS offers high leverage and MT4/MT5 access, supporting frequent trading.
FBS is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FBS provides MT4 and MT5 on all accounts, expanding platform choice.
FBS offers a $1 minimum deposit, lowering barriers for new traders.
Plus500 provides 2000 instruments, more than FBS's 550.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 2008 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Belize City, Belize | Haifa, Israel |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 2 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 3,000:1 | 30:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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 providing strong institutional credibility
Zero commission on all trades
Intuitive proprietary platform with a clean mobile app
Negative balance protection across all accounts
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
No MT4 or MT5 support
Limited research tools and market analysis
US residents not accepted
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
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