A head-to-head comparison of FBS and XTB 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.
XTB comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.5/5 compared to FBS's 3.9/5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FBS offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.8 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
XTB has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
FBS has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
XTB offers more exclusive platform options: xStation 5, a proprietary platform.
XTB edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4.5/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2009 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Belize City, Belize | Warsaw, Poland |
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.8 pips |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA CySEC KNF |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 xStation 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FBS | Visit XTB |
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- and WSE-listed with FCA, CySEC, and KNF regulation - exceptional corporate transparency
xStation 5 is one of the best proprietary platforms in retail forex
Zero-commission stock CFDs up to EUR 100,000/month
No minimum deposit on standard accounts
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
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 suited for raw ECN scalpers
Product breadth narrower than IG or Saxo
Support quality varies outside European hours
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, XTB ranks higher with a score of 4.5/5 vs 3.9/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FBS and XTB may each suit different trader profiles.
FBS offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to XTB's spreads from 0.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XTB has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes XTB more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
XTB holds top-tier regulation (FCA, CySEC, KNF), 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: XTB 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 XTB 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.
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 XTB offers MetaTrader 4, xStation 5; both support MetaTrader 4; FBS exclusively offers MetaTrader 5; XTB exclusively offers xStation 5.
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