Two CFD stock providers compete on regulation, market access, and research tools. The axis of tension pits safety against entry cost and global reach.
Forex.com is the editorial winner with the higher score. FBS offers a $1 minimum deposit and broad accessibility.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you want the lowest entry cost and broad 24/7 multilingual support across CIS and Asian markets. It features a $1 minimum deposit and wide accessibility to equity CFD markets, enabling entry for a wider audience.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you prioritize top tier regulation and robust research tools to support informed decisions. It also offers access to eight exchanges and a multi-platform suite including MT4, MT5, and proprietary Web Trader for comprehensive market coverage.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Forex.com wins safety and regulation with top-tier regulators and a compensation scheme.
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | $7/lot▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| 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 |
Forex.com rates 3.9/5 versus 3.3/5 for FBS. Forex.com edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
FBS lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Forex.com's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
FBS has $1, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes FBS more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Forex.com holds top-tier regulation (MAS, IIROC, FCA), 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 Forex.com provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FBS lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, while Forex.com lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Forex.com charges $7 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.
FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Forex.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither FBS nor Forex.com 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.
Forex.com 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.
Forex.com provides research tools that support active trading.
Forex.com provides broader access with eight exchanges.
Forex.com expands long-term diversification with eight exchanges.
| 2 pips |
| 1.7 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| 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 | FSCA CySEC IFSC | MAS IIROC FCA ASIC CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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