James Thornton
High leverage 1:3000
Score: 17 / 20
Quick take: Accessible, globally present, and easy to open—but entity complexity and regional safety vary.
Founded in 2009, serving 150+ countries and millions of traders.
Multiple entity structure: CySEC (EU), ASIC (AU), FSC (Belize).
Ultra-low entry point (Cent, Standard accounts with $1–$5).
Regulatory protection depends heavily on your entity.
Absent in U.S., UK, Canada, and some other major markets.
FBS layers its services under different jurisdictions to target specific regions. The EU (CySEC) and Australia (ASIC) entities carry stronger oversight; elsewhere (like Belize FSC), protections are lighter.
Final Score Calculation
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Accessibility | 5/5 | Very low minimum deposits and fast onboarding. |
Global Reach | 4.5/5 | 150+ countries, but not present in U.S./UK. |
Regulation Consistency | 3.5/5 | Oversight varies widely by entity. |
Transparency | 4/5 | Clear setup, but entity differences confuse users. |
Total | 17/20 | Broad access, mixed security profile. |
Score: 18 / 20
Quick take: MetaTrader platforms run smoothly with STP/ECN infrastructure—fast order execution with solid tool access.
Runs MT4, MT5, and its own FBS Trader app.
High leverage up to 1:3000 in some regions.
Cent account option lets you test strategies with minimal risk.
No proprietary desktop platform.
Interface lacks modern polish.
FBS executes trades near-instantly using STP/ECN tech, with minimal re-quotes. High-leverage access and tight spreads for MT users create a fast-paced environment.
Final Score Calculation
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Execution Speed | 5/5 | Orders fill quickly with low slippage. |
Platform Choice | 4.5/5 | MT4/MT5 + FBS Trader app; no proprietary desktop. |
User Experience | 4/5 | Standard MetaTrader feel, less intuitive for beginners. |
Leverage Options | 4.5/5 | High leverage available depending on region. |
Total | 18/20 | Excellent execution, but limited originality. |
Score: 16.5 / 20
Quick take: A solid range for most retail traders, but thin on ETFs and complex instruments.
Offers forex, indices, commodities, metals, energies, stocks, and cryptos.
Over 500+ instruments available in some entities.
Lacks futures, ETFs, or advanced derivatives.
Crypto availability depends on entity/regulation.
FBS gives traders a broad-but-not-deep catalog. Expect forex and CFDs across markets—with cryptos if regulation allows.
Final Score Calculation
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Forex Coverage | 5/5 | Wide range of major, minor, and exotic pairs. |
Indices & Commodities | 4.5/5 | Good selection of global benchmarks and assets. |
Stocks & Equities | 3.5/5 | Limited compared to full-service brokers. |
Crypto Access | 3.5/5 | Patchy availability; depends on jurisdiction. |
Total | 16.5/20 | Solid forex/CFD focus, weaker in niche assets. |
Score: 16 / 20
Quick take: Multiple licenses boost legitimacy—but protection levels fluctuate.
Licenses via CySEC, ASIC, and FSC provide legitimacy.
Implements segregated accounts and negative balance protection
Belize entity offers minimal oversight.
No FCA, SEC, or FSCS-like protections.
CySEC and ASIC bring serious regulatory ballast, but investor protection schemes are limited outside the EU.
Final Score Calculation
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Tier-1 Oversight | 4/5 | CySEC/ASIC provide solid coverage. |
Client Fund Safety | 5/5 | Segregation and negative balance protection. |
Transparency | 3.5/5 | Entity structure complicates protection levels. |
Accessibility | 3.5/5 | Absent in major markets like the U.S. |
Total | 16/20 | Strong under some regulators, weak under others. |
Score: 17 / 20
Quick take: Affordable pricing with narrow spreads and no inactivity fee—but still some variables.
Spreads from ~0.7 pips; zero/ECN accounts available.
No inactivity or funding fees in most cases.
Commission structure on raw accounts can be high.
Spreads widen during volatile events.
FBS allows flexibility with multiple account types, each tuned for different spread/commission setups.
Final Score Calculation
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Forex Spreads | 4.5/5 | Tight, especially on ECN/Zero accounts. |
Commission Options | 4/5 | Clear, but raw accounts costlier per lot. |
Non-Trading Fees | 4.5/5 | No inactivity or deposit/withdrawal fees. |
Fee Transparency | 4/5 | Costs are disclosed, but vary by account type. |
Total | 17/20 | Strong cost profile, occasional quirks. |
Score: 17.5 / 20
Quick take: Fast, fee-free methods, albeit with some regional quirks.
Variety of methods: cards, e-wallets, local banking.
No broker-side fees.
No crypto payments.
Processing times vary regionally
Card and e-wallet transactions are quick; wires can lag. Payment choices depend on the serving entity.
Final Score Calculation
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Funding Options | 4.5/5 | Good variety, no crypto option. |
Speed | 4.5/5 | Fast on cards/e-wallets, slower wires. |
Cost Structure | 5/5 | No deposit/withdrawal fees charged by broker. |
Regional Coverage | 3.5/5 | Availability depends on entity. |
Total | 17.5/20 | Flexible, mostly fast, with minor gaps. |
Score: 17 / 20
Quick take: 24/5 multilingual support and strong education, but bonus policies create some distrust.
Fast, multilingual 24/5 support.
FBS Academy: guides, webinars, and analysis tools.
No weekend support.
Confusion around promotional/bonus conditions.
Support quality is strong overall. Education content is broad, but T&Cs on bonuses have drawn user complaints.
Final Score Calculation
Category | Score | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
Support Coverage | 4/5 | 24/5 but not 24/7. |
Responsiveness | 4.5/5 | Generally quick via chat/email. |
Education Content | 4/5 | FBS Academy is comprehensive, if basic. |
User Trust | 4/5 | Good overall, but bonus terms hurt perception. |
Total | 17/20 | Reliable, with slight trust issues. |
Overall Score: 123 / 140 → ~88 / 100
FBS is a forex-first, beginner-friendly broker offering strong MetaTrader execution, flexible account structures, and accessible entry points. Its reputation is held back by regional inconsistencies and bonus-related gripes, but it remains a serious contender for traders who want speed and affordability.
Best for: budget-conscious forex traders, MT4/MT5 users, those exploring high leverage.
Not ideal for: traders in major restricted markets, or those who want ETF/futures exposure.
Section | Score | Notes |
---|---|---|
Broker Overview | 17/20 | Broad global access; regulation varies by entity. |
Trading Experience | 18/20 | Fast MetaTrader execution; high leverage, but no proprietary platform. |
Tradable Products | 16.5/20 | Strong forex/CFDs; weaker in stocks, ETFs, and patchy crypto access. |
Regulation & Security | 16/20 | Tier-1 oversight available, but offshore options dilute protections. |
Spreads, Fees & Commissions | 17/20 | Tight forex spreads, no inactivity fee; raw account commissions higher. |
Deposits & Withdrawals | 17.5/20 | Fee-free and flexible; crypto funding missing. |
Customer Support & Education | 17/20 | Good multilingual support + FBS Academy; bonus terms hurt trust. |
Overall Score: 123 / 140 → ~88 / 100
Yes. FBS operates under multiple entities. It’s regulated by CySEC in Europe and ASIC in Australia, both considered tier-1 regulators. Other clients may be onboarded under the Belize FSC, which offers weaker protections.
The minimum deposit depends on the account type. Cent and Standard accounts start from as little as $5, while ECN/Zero Spread accounts require higher deposits.
No. Unlike many brokers, FBS does not charge inactivity fees, which makes it friendlier for part-time traders.
FBS offers MT4, MT5, and its proprietary FBS Trader mobile app. MT4/5 remain the go-to platforms for most users, supporting EAs, indicators, and advanced charting.
Yes, FBS offers cryptocurrency CFDs in certain regions. Availability depends on local regulations, so check which entity you’re registered with.
Leverage can be as high as 1:3000, but this depends on your account type and regulatory jurisdiction. EU and AU clients will face stricter leverage caps (typically 1:30).
Yes. FBS provides demo accounts on MT4, MT5, and FBS Trader so you can practice with virtual funds before committing real money.
You can use bank cards, e-wallets, and local transfer options depending on your region. Deposits and withdrawals are fee-free on FBS’s side, though third-party or currency conversion fees may apply.
No. FBS does not accept clients from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and some other restricted regions.
FBS is a solid choice for beginner and intermediate forex traders who want low deposit thresholds, access to MT4/5, and flexible account options. High-leverage fans also flock here, but regulation varies by entity—so safety-first traders should double-check.