Two brokers face off on regulation, market access, and platform depth, revealing how each firm parcels equity exposure across regions.
Exness edges FBS in editorial score due to stronger regulation and compensation. This difference reflects top-tier regulators and compensation coverage.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Exness wins for safety with top-tier regulation and compensation scheme.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Spreads from | 0.3 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot▼ lower | $20/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Exness rates 3.6/5 and FBS rates 3.3/5. Exness 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 lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Exness's 0.3. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Both Exness and FBS require a minimum deposit of $1 to open a live trading account.
Exness holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, OJK), 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, Exness provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Exness lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while FBS lists up to 3000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Exness charges $3.5 per trade, lower than FBS's $20 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Exness nor FBS is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Exness scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Exness wins for active traders with social trading and multiple platforms.
Equally matched; both offer $1 minimum deposits and straightforward entry.
Exness offers access to five exchanges, ahead of FBS's three.
Equally matched on cost to enter, both require a $1 minimum deposit.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.65 pips▼ lower |
| 2 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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