FBS Broker Review
FBS was founded in 2009. It is an international Forex brokerage operating in more than 190 countries. The brokerage has more than 23 000 000 active traders and 410 000 partners.
Being established in Cyprus, FBS has received many international awards. The list includes titles such as Best Investor Education 2017, Most Progressive FX Broker in Europe 2019, Best FX IB Program in China 2017, and Best Broker in Asia Pacific Region 2015, just to name a few. These achievements highlight that the company operates successfully on the market and has services that traders value.
In addition, FBS offers educational services to its clients. Seminars and special events are held in a family-like atmosphere.
| Main features | |
| Regulations | Australia, Cyprus, South AfricaRegulations |
| Fees on deposits | 0 USD |
| Fees on withdrawal | 0 USD |
| Inactivity fees | 0 USD |
| Minimum deposit | 1 USD |
| Minimum account activation | 1 USD |
| Number of available assets | 210. Each account type offers different number of assets. |
| Leverage up to | 1:3000. Leverage on Crypto account 5:1. ECN – 500:1. Cent – 1000:1. |
| Available trading markets | Cryptocurrencies, Energies, Forex, Indices, Metals, Stocks |
| Account currencies | 5 |
| Demo account | Yes |
| Live account types | Standard, Cent, Micro, Zero Spread, ECN, Crypto |
| Islamic account | Yes |
| Security | |
| Negative balance protection | Yes |
| Part of compensation fund | Yes |
| Keeps funds on segregated bank account | Yes |
| Assets | |
| Forex | 37. Inculing Exotics on Standard account |
| Shares | 0 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 30 |
| Indices | 11 |
| Commodities | 5 |
| Total | 210+ |
| Fees & spread | |
| Forex | From 0 pips. 0.8 Avg spreads on EUR/USD Standard account |
| Shares | N/A. depending on the stock and underlying price |
| Cryptocurrencies | From 1 pips. In addition, 0.05% for opening and 0.05% for closing positions |
| Indices | From 0 |
| Commodities | From 0. Avg spread on Gold vs USD is 23 pips. |
| Software | |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Mobile trading support | Yes |
| Mac device support | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes |
| Payment systems | |
| Payment methods | Credit/Debit Card, Neteller, Perfect Money, Skrill |
| Minimum deposit | Credit/Debit Card, Neteller, Perfect Money, Skrill |
| Minimum withdrawal | Credit/Debit Card, Neteller, Perfect Money, Skrill. All of the methods are charged by fees. Visa method costs 1 USD. |
| Withdrawal processing time | Instant. Withdrawals take up to 2 days |
Safety & Security of FBS
When choosing a forex broker, safety and security are critical factors. FBS focuses on maintaining a secure trading environment through regulatory oversight, client-fund protection, and strict compliance procedures. The broker operates under several regulatory authorities and follows financial standards designed to protect traders and ensure transparency.
Regulation and Licensing
FBS operates through multiple regulated entities across different regions. These include oversight from authorities such as:
Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) – regulates FBS’s European operations.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – oversees the broker’s Australian entity.
Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Belize – regulates the international entity serving global clients.
These regulators require brokers to follow strict rules related to financial reporting, operational transparency, and client protection, helping to ensure fair trading practices.
Segregation of Client Funds
FBS keeps client funds in segregated accounts, meaning traders’ deposits are stored separately from the broker’s operational funds. This separation ensures that client money cannot be used for company expenses and remains protected even if the company faces financial difficulties.
Negative Balance Protection
FBS provides negative balance protection, which ensures that traders cannot lose more money than the amount they deposit. If extreme market volatility causes the account balance to drop below zero, the broker resets the balance back to zero.
Investor Compensation Protection
For traders registered under the CySEC-regulated entity, FBS participates in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). This scheme can compensate clients up to €20,000 if the broker becomes insolvent and cannot return client funds.
Data Security and Compliance
FBS also uses SSL encryption and strict KYC/AML procedures to protect client data and prevent financial fraud. Traders must verify their identity before activating accounts or withdrawing funds, ensuring compliance with international financial regulations.
Available Assets on FBS
FBS provides traders with access to a wide range of financial instruments, allowing them to diversify their trading strategies across multiple global markets. The broker offers 550+ trading instruments across several asset classes, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
This variety of markets enables traders to explore different opportunities and manage risk by spreading investments across different asset categories.
Forex (Currency Pairs)
Forex trading is one of the main offerings at FBS. Traders can access 30–40 major, minor, and exotic currency pairs, including popular pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and AUD/USD.
The forex market operates 24 hours a day during weekdays, making it one of the most active and liquid financial markets.
Metals
FBS allows traders to trade precious metals such as Gold (XAU/USD) and Silver (XAG/USD). Metals are widely used as safe-haven assets during times of economic uncertainty and market volatility.
Energies
The broker also offers trading in energy commodities, including popular products such as:
Brent Crude Oil
WTI Crude Oil
Natural Gas
These markets are often favored by traders due to their strong price movements and high liquidity.
Global Indices
FBS provides access to major stock market indices from around the world. Examples include:
S&P 500
NASDAQ
Dow Jones
DAX
Index trading allows traders to speculate on the performance of entire stock markets rather than individual companies.
Stocks (Share CFDs)
Traders can also access hundreds of global company stocks through CFDs. Popular examples include companies such as Apple, Tesla, Amazon, and Microsoft.
This allows traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying shares.
Cryptocurrencies
FBS also supports trading in cryptocurrency CFDs, including digital assets such as:
Bitcoin (BTC)
Ethereum (ETH)
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Cardano (ADA)
Crypto markets are known for their high volatility, offering potential opportunities for short-term trading strategies.
FBS Account Types
FBS offers several trading account types designed to meet the needs of different traders, from beginners with small deposits to professional traders who require tighter spreads and advanced execution. Each account type varies in minimum deposit, spreads, leverage, and commission structure, allowing traders to select the option that best fits their trading strategy.
Cent Account
The Cent Account is ideal for beginners who want to trade with very small amounts of capital. Instead of standard lots, this account uses cent lots, which means balances are displayed in cents. This allows traders to gain real market experience while minimizing financial risk.
Key features:
Very low minimum deposit (often around $1)
Spreads from around 1 pip
No commission
Leverage up to 1:1000 or more depending on region
Best suited for new traders and strategy testing
Standard Account
The Standard Account is one of the most commonly used accounts at FBS. It offers balanced trading conditions with floating spreads and no commission, making it suitable for many retail traders.
Key features:
Minimum deposit starting around $5
Spreads from about 0.5 pips
Commission-free trading
High leverage options
Suitable for beginner to intermediate traders
Micro Account
The Micro Account is designed for traders who prefer fixed spreads and predictable trading costs. Fixed spreads can be helpful during volatile market conditions because the spread does not fluctuate significantly.
Key features:
Fixed spreads from about 3 pips
No commission
High leverage available
Often used for long-term strategies and automated trading systems
Zero Spread Account
The Zero Spread Account is created for traders who want extremely tight spreads. Spreads can start from 0.0 pips, but a small commission is charged per trade.
Key features:
Spreads from 0.0 pips
Commission per trade
Suitable for scalpers and high-frequency traders
ECN Account
The ECN Account provides direct access to liquidity providers with raw spreads and fast execution. It is mainly used by professional traders who require institutional-level trading conditions.
Key features:
Raw spreads (sometimes near 0.0 pips)
Commission-based pricing
True ECN execution
Best for experienced traders and algorithmic trading
Additional Account Options
FBS also provides extra account features to support different trading needs:
Demo Account – Practice trading with virtual funds.
Islamic (Swap-Free) Account – Designed for traders following Islamic finance principles.
FBS Fees & Commissions
FBS uses a simple and transparent pricing model where most trading costs are included in the spread rather than separate commissions. The total cost of trading mainly depends on the account type, trading instrument, and whether positions are held overnight.
Spreads
Spreads are the primary trading cost at FBS and represent the difference between the bid and ask prices of a trading instrument.
Standard Account: Spreads typically start from around 0.7 pips on major currency pairs.
Average Spread (EUR/USD): Around 1.1 pips, which equals roughly $11 per standard lot.
Cent Account: Average spreads around 0.8 pips depending on market conditions.
These spreads are considered competitive for beginner-friendly brokers, though they may be slightly higher than some ECN brokers.
Commission Fees
Most FBS trading accounts are commission-free, meaning the broker’s earnings are included in the spread rather than an additional fee.
However, certain instruments may include commissions:
Stock CFDs: Approximately 0.7% commission per round-turn trade in addition to spreads.
Some specialized account types or regions may apply lot-based commissions depending on trading conditions.
Swap (Overnight) Fees
If a position is held overnight, swap or rollover fees may apply. These charges depend on:
The trading instrument
The direction of the trade (buy or sell)
Interest rate differences between currencies
For example, certain positions may incur a swap cost, while others may provide a small positive swap depending on market conditions.
Deposit and Withdrawal Fees
FBS generally does not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals, which helps keep non-trading costs low. However, banks or payment providers may charge processing or currency conversion fees.
Inactivity Fees
Most reviews indicate that FBS does not charge inactivity fees for accounts that remain unused for a period of time, although this may depend on the regulatory entity and region.
FBS Trading Platforms
FBS offers several modern trading platforms designed to meet the needs of beginner and professional traders. These platforms provide access to global financial markets, advanced charting tools, fast trade execution, and support for automated trading strategies. The main platforms available at FBS include MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and the FBS Trader mobile app.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is one of the most popular trading platforms in the forex industry. It is widely used by traders because of its stability, powerful charting tools, and support for automated trading systems.
Key features include:
30+ built-in technical indicators and advanced charting tools
Automated trading using Expert Advisors (EAs)
Multiple order types and one-click trading
Custom indicators and trading scripts
Available on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and WebTrader
MT4 is particularly suitable for forex traders, scalpers, and traders using automated strategies.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is the advanced version of MT4 and offers additional tools for multi-asset trading and deeper market analysis.
Key features include:
More timeframes and technical indicators than MT4
Built-in economic calendar and market depth (DOM)
Advanced strategy tester for algorithmic trading
Support for trading forex, stocks, commodities, and indices
Improved order management and faster processing
MT5 is designed for traders who need advanced analytical tools and broader market access.
FBS Trader App
FBS also developed its own mobile trading platform called FBS Trader. This app allows traders to manage their accounts and trade directly from their smartphones without relying on third-party platforms.
Key features include:
Real-time market quotes and price charts
Easy order execution and position management
Built-in deposit and withdrawal options
Account management and trading statistics
Available for Android and iOS devices
The app is designed to provide a simple and convenient trading experience for mobile users, especially beginners who prefer trading on the go.
WebTrader and Mobile Trading
In addition to desktop platforms, FBS offers web-based trading that allows traders to access their accounts directly from a browser without installing software. The broker also supports MT4 and MT5 mobile apps for Android and iOS devices, allowing traders to monitor markets and manage trades anytime.
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 have all the necessary features needed for proficiently trading currencies. They are the most widely used platforms in the world of foreign exchange. MetaTrader 4 is mainly used for trading CFD FX instruments. MetaTrader 5 is covering both centralized and non-centralized financial markets, which include stocks, futures, currencies, etc. Both platforms give excellent tools to their users to conduct technical analysis.
Education and Research Tools
FBS offers an extensive amount of educational material. After all, the broker has won an award for having the “Best Investor Education in 2017”. The company hires professionals to host live webinars to educate its clients on how to use MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, how to conduct market analysis, and how to use bots. In addition, you can view their daily market analysis and participate in many educational events hosted by FBS.
Customer Support of FBS
One more important thing to consider is customer service. You can contact the brokerage from Monday through Friday, 8:00 – 24:00 (GMT +3) excluding major holidays. You can live chat, request a call, or leave a message and they’ll get back to you during business hours.
FBS Pros and Cons
Pros
Low Minimum Deposit – FBS allows traders to start with a very small amount, sometimes as low as $5, making it accessible for beginners and small-capital traders.
Multiple Trading Platforms – The broker supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the FBS Trader mobile app, giving traders flexible access to markets through desktop, web, and mobile devices.
Wide Range of Trading Instruments – Traders can access markets including forex, metals, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, allowing portfolio diversification.
High Leverage Options – Depending on the region and regulatory entity, FBS may offer leverage up to 1:3000, which can increase potential trading opportunities.
24/7 Customer Support – FBS provides customer service through multiple channels such as live chat, email, and phone support.
Educational Resources and Trading Tools – The broker offers tutorials, webinars, demo accounts, and market analysis to help traders improve their trading knowledge.
Cons
Regional Restrictions – Some services and account types are not available in certain countries due to regulatory restrictions.
Average Forex Spreads – While competitive, spreads on some accounts may be higher than those offered by top ECN brokers.
Limited Cryptocurrency Selection – Compared to crypto-focused trading platforms, the range of cryptocurrency instruments may be smaller.
Possible Withdrawal or Payment Processing Fees – Some payment methods may involve additional fees depending on the provider.
Less Advanced Features for Professional Traders – Advanced traders may find fewer institutional-level tools compared with some premium ECN brokers.
FBS Conclusion
Overall, FBS is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker that offers accessible trading conditions for retail traders. Established in 2009, the broker has grown to serve millions of traders across more than 150 countries, providing a user-friendly trading environment and a wide range of financial instruments.
One of the key advantages of FBS is its low entry barrier, with minimum deposits starting from around $5, making it attractive for beginners and traders who want to start with small capital. The broker also supports popular trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with its own mobile trading application, allowing traders to access markets from desktop and mobile devices.
FBS is regulated by several financial authorities, including CySEC, ASIC, and the Financial Services Commission (FSC), which helps ensure transparency and compliance with international trading standards. The broker also implements security measures such as encryption and client-fund protection to maintain a safe trading environment.
However, traders should also consider certain limitations. Some services and trading conditions may vary depending on the regulatory entity, and the broker mainly focuses on forex and CFD trading rather than traditional investment products.
