FBS is an online broker that offers financial market trading in forex and CFDs. Our FBS review will take a thorough look at the broker’s legitimacy, leverage offering, spreads, and minimum deposits. Sign up for an FBS account and start trading.
History & Headlines
FBS is a global broker founded in 2009. In the EU, FBS is operated by Tradestone Ltd and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The global branch is run by FBS Markets Inc and regulated by the International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC).
FBS has a head office location in Cyprus and claims to have over 15 million active traders across more than 190 countries, from Malaysia and Indonesia to South Africa, Pakistan, and the EU.
Trading Platforms
FBS uses a non-dealing desk (NDD) system with STP for rapid order execution. After registration and login clients have a choice of two platforms to access the markets.
MetaTrader 4
MT4 is a market-leading platform that FBS clients can download for PC. The trading platform includes a range of features:
- One-click execution and copy-trading
- Expert Advisors (EA) service and APIs
- Wide range of technical indicators and charting tools
- Support for clients using a virtual private server (VPS)
The global branch of FBS also offers MT4 MultiTerminal, which allows clients to operate multiple accounts simultaneously.
MetaTrader 5
This broker recently added MT5 integration to its portfolio. This platform is a recent update to MT4 with greater versatility that offers the following:
- Hedging & netting
- Market depth view
- More technical indicators
- More order types and timeframes
MT4 and MT5 are also both available without a download via any browser through the WebTrader solution. This service works across all operating systems and has all the features of the original software.
Markets
Clients can access a wide range of assets for trading:
- Forex – 28 standard pairs plus 16 exotics
- Metals – four precious metals
- Energies – WTI and Brent crude oil
- Stocks (global only) – 40 company shares
- Indices – four indices including the NASDAQ
Unfortunately, trading on the FTSE100 is not offered and neither are cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin.
Trading Fees
Spreads offered by FBS vary by account type and region. For EURUSD, the global firm offers a spread of 3.0 pips on its Micro account, 1.1 on its Standard and Cent accounts and zero pip spreads on its Zero and ECN accounts. In the EU the same spread is 0.7 pips with both the Standard and Cent accounts. Our review was pleased to see competitive spreads with the Zero and ECN accounts.
The global branch charges a fixed rate commission of $20 per lot on the Zero Spread account and $6 on the ECN account. It also charges $3 for stock trades and $25 for CFD trading.
FBS charges overnight rollover fees (swap-free is available) and a cancellation fee of €5 for transactions that have taken advantage of price latency. Accounts dormant for 180 days are charged a €5 monthly fee.
FBS Leverage
The maximum leverage available depends on account type and branch. In the EU the broker provides leverage up to 1:30 on Standard and Cent account types. Globally it offers up to 1:1000 on the Cent account, 1:500 on the ECN account, and 1:3000 on other account types.
FBS has a margin call of 40% and lower, whereafter it is entitled to close a client’s position.
Mobile Apps
FBS Trader App
The owner and CEO have ensured that FBS Trader is a free and fully-featured trading app. It can be downloaded to Android (APK) devices from Google Play. Outside the EU it’s also available on iOS. The broker’s downloadable app offers forex and top instruments for trading, alongside real-time stats and easy management.
MT4 & MT5 Apps
Both MetaTrader platforms are also available as mobile apps from the App Store and Google Play. The apps have the main features of the native platforms including technical analysis with the convenience of one-click trading on the go.
Payments
The minimum deposit at the online forex broker is different for each account type and trading region. The EU firm requires an initial deposit of €10 on the Cent account and €100 on the Standard. The global branch offers minimum deposits of $1, $5, $100, $500, and $1000 for the Cent, Micro, Standard, Zero Spread, and ECN accounts respectively. Our review was pleased to see the low minimum deposit offering.
The broker offers several deposit and withdrawal methods are available including wire transfer (EU only), Visa, and electronic payment systems, such as Skrill and Neteller. Deposits are instant for all methods bar wire transfer and withdrawals take up to 48 hours. Commission fees apply to withdrawals at the global FBS firm and identifying documents may be requested.
Demo Account Review
FBS offers demo versions of the Cent and Standard accounts in the EU. MT4 and MT5 integration are available and a range of instruments are offered to practice trading with zero deposit requirements. Once comfortable with the broker’s services, you can then sign up for a live account.
Trading Bonuses
FBS has a wide selection of promotions and bonuses advertised on its global website. For example, the broker offers a Trade $100 bonus with no deposit necessary. The broker credits clients with $100 and if the client has 30 active trading days with 5 lots traded, the bonus can be withdrawn. FBS also offers a 100% deposit bonus, which doubles the deposit available for trading, and many contests.
Licensing
FBS is a legitimate broker with regulations from respected authorities. The company that owns the EU branch of FBS is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The global branch is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC).
In the EU, the broker also offers negative balance protection to retail clients. Overall, we’re happy FBS is not a scam.
Note, traders from the USA cannot register for an account, though clients from most other countries are accepted, including Canada, India, and Nigeria.
Additional Features
The FBS website has an analysis section with resources including forex-related news, market updates, and a Forex TV feature that displays informational videos, weekly insights, and trading plans. This broker also provides an economic calendar and forex calculators alongside extensive educational materials such as live webinars and tutorials.
Copy Trading
The CopyTrade solution from FBS lets beginners replicate the success of top traders with secure, flexible trading tools. Clients can use the user-friendly mobile app to compare traders, allocate funds and create a unique trading portfolio.
Trading Accounts
New clients have the option of several live account types. In the EU, the broker offers the Standard and Cent accounts. The global branch additionally offers the Micro, Zero Spread, and ECN account. Order volumes are the same across account types. The ECN account has no trading limits and market execution is by ECN, unlike the other accounts which use STP. In general, the more you can deposit the higher the account tier and the more competitive the trading requirements.
When opening an account, you’ll need to submit documents to verify your name, address, and the country you’re registering from.
Pros And Cons
Benefits
Advantages of trading with FBS include:
- MT4 and MT5 integration
- Ultra-low minimum deposits
- Competitive zero-pip spreads
- Range of promotions & deposit bonuses
Drawbacks
Bad areas flagged in our review include:
- Fewer account and trading options in the EU
- Commissions payable on many trade types at the global firm
Trading Hours
The FBS broker website is available at all times. Opening hours for each asset depend on the market and timezone, but forex runs 24 hours a day on weekdays. The broker also provides a virtual private server (VPS) service, which allows the client to keep their trading platform on a virtual machine 24/7.
Customer Support
Customer support is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Italian:
EU
- Email – [email protected]
- Live chat – logo in the bottom right
- Contact number – +357 25313540
- Address – Vasileos Georgiou A 89, Office 101, Potamos Germasogeias 4048, Limassol, Cyprus
Global
Contact options including live chat, callback, and WhatsApp are available on the global website.
Trader Safety
FBS ensures client personal information and privacy is safeguarded. Transactional information is also protected using transport layer security (TLS). The MetaTrader platforms also offer dual-factor authentication at the login stage for added security.
FBS Verdict
FBS is an international forex broker that offers low minimum deposits and a variety of trading accounts with MT4 and MT5 integration, alongside the FBS Trader app. Spreads are competitive, and both novice and advanced traders will feel at home with this broker.
Accepted Countries
FBS accepts traders from Australia, Thailand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Qatar, and most other countries.
Traders can not use FBS from the United States, Japan, Canada, Myanmar, Brazil, Israel, Iran.
FAQ
Where is FBS regulated?
This broker is regulated in the EU by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and elsewhere by the International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC).
Is FBS a good broker?
FBS is a legitimate broker and not a scam. It is licensed by respected financial authorities and has positive online reviews.
Does FBS offer any bonuses?
The global branch of FBS offers 100% deposit bonuses and promotions where no deposit is required. This broker also offers trader contests and a VPS service.
What is the minimum deposit at FBS?
Clients can open an account with $1 at the global branch and $10 in the EU. The greater the initial deposit, the tighter the spreads and the more advanced the trading tools.
What platforms does FBS offer?
FBS has both MT4 and MT5 platforms, which are available on any browser and as mobile apps. This broker also offers FBS Trader, an in-house mobile application.
Does the FBS broker have trading on Nas100?
Yes, clients can trade on the NASDAQ and three other major indices, including the S&P 500, Dax30, and Dow Jones.
| FBS is a top online broker offering MT4 & MT5 trading across a range of instruments. |
Editorial Staff at Chweya is a team of financial experts led by Vincent Nyagaka, with over 9 years of experience in finance, commerce, forex, crypto, and marketing. Started in 2014, Chweya is now among the largest free financial resource sites in the industry and is often referred to as Wikipedia for business.
