A head-to-head comparison of FBS and Windsor Brokers 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.
One of the longest-operating CySEC-regulated brokers, offering standard and ECN accounts on MT4 and MT5 - a solid EU retail offering backed by a track record few Cyprus-based competitors can match.
Windsor Brokers edges ahead with a score of 4/5 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.
Windsor Brokers has a stronger safety profile: compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Windsor Brokers has a cost edge: lower commission ($8/lot).
Windsor Brokers edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.5 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2009 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Belize City, Belize | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | $8/lot |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FBS | Visit Windsor Brokers |
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
35+ years of continuous operation - one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
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
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5 - no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| 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, Windsor Brokers ranks higher with a score of 4/5 vs 3.9/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FBS and Windsor Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Both FBS and Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FBS is regulated by FSCA, CySEC. Windsor Brokers is regulated by FSCA, CySEC. Always confirm a broker's current regulatory status before opening an account.
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 Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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 Windsor Brokers offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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