FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets - Fees Review included
| Feature | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall |
4.3 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
4.6 |
4.9 |
5 |
|
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
|
4.1 |
4.4 |
4.7 |
|
Investment Instruments |
4.7 |
4.4 |
4.5 |
Platforms and Charting Tools |
4.5 |
4.6 |
4.6 |
Deposit and Withdrawal |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.4 |
Research |
3.9 |
5 |
4.6 |
Education |
4.2 |
5 |
4.4 |
Support |
3.9 |
4.6 |
4.4 |
Bonuses |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Pros and Cons
FBS (fbs.com) is an international broker operating in 190 countries. The brokerage company has been on the market for over 10 years, and during this time it has earned about 40 international awards. It is regulated by the CySEC under license number 331/17 and provides flexible conditions for Forex trading. FBS is especially popular in Asian countries such as India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
XM Broker was founded in 2009. Initially, the company covered a narrow niche of the trader market, specializing exclusively in intermediary services at the foreign exchange market. It has since experienced considerable success and growth. XM is reliable and safe. It has diversified and is now an international broker operating in almost 190 countries around the world. For over a decade XM Broker has attracted 3,5 million traders, offering unique technological solutions. The company is now being recognised as the Fastest Growing Broker, the Best Forex Service Provider and various other contributing achievements. The team at XM Broker is committed to continually working hard to improve the quality of the services provided every year as they are committed to continually providing the best service to their traders.
The Admiral Markets broker company commenced operations in 2001. The broker’s activities are registered and licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Admiral Markets now operates in more than 40 countries with a cash cycle of up to USD 40 billion. The broker holds a lifetime license issued by the Federal Financial Markets Service. It is also regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Access to the FX+Project as one of their specific features. In 2002 Admiral Markets was awarded the “Forex 2012” (“Best of the Best”) by The New Europe Magazine.
| FBS | XM | Admiral Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Pros | A large selection of trading instruments | Well-Regulated broker | Well-Regulated broker |
| Copyt trading platform | Strong research tools | 3400+ trading instruments | |
| $140 no-deposit bonus (not available for EU clients) | Strong education | Low trading and non trading fees | |
| Crypto account | Big Forex bonuses | Invest account for stock and ETF trading | |
| Free deposit and withdrawal | 6 free stock trades per day | ||
| Instant withdrawal | Fee discounts for big volume trading | ||
| 1000+ trading assets | Any strategy is allowed | ||
| Free VPS | |||
| Direct stock trading, Over 4500 stocks and ETFs | |||
| Overall Cons | Hihg trading fees | High spreads | No forex bonuses |
| Slow exacution speed |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Safety and Regulation
| Regulated By: | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Max. Regulation Level |
Tier-1 |
Tier-1 |
Tier-1 |
Investor protection |
€20,000 |
£85,000 €20,000 |
£85,000 €20,000 |
FCA UK Regulation |
No |
No |
No |
FINRA (U.S) |
No |
No |
No |
BaFin (Germany) |
No |
No |
No |
ASIC (Australia) |
No |
No |
No |
CFTC (U.S) |
No |
No |
No |
MAS |
No |
No |
No |
FSCA SA |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
BVI FSC |
No |
No |
No |
VFSC |
No |
No |
No |
FSA (Seychelles) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Trading Conditions
| Trading Conditions | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit |
$1 |
$5 |
$1 |
Trading Platforms |
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, FBS Trader |
MT4, MT5 |
МТ4, MT5 |
Max Leverage (Futures) |
401769 |
1:888, 1:30 (for EU, UK clients) |
1-500 |
Supported Markets |
Forex, CFDs on stocks, indices, metals, energies, crypto |
Forex, CFDs on indices, commodities, crypto, metals, stocks |
Forex, Stocks, ETFs, CFDs on indices, commodities, crypto, metals, stocks, bonds |
Trading assets |
200+ |
1300+ |
3500+ |
Trading Accounts |
Standard, Cent, ECN, Micro, Zero Spread, Copy Trade |
Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero |
Trade.MT4, Trade.MT5, Invest.MT5, Zero.MT4, Zero.MT5 |
Base Account Currencies |
EUR, USD |
USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF, AUD, HUF, PLN, RUB, SGD, ZAR |
EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, BGN, RUB, RON, PLN, HUF, HRK, CZK |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Fees
| Fee | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, min pips |
0,7 |
0,7 |
0,7 |
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, max pips |
1,3 |
1,2 |
1,2 |
ECN Commission |
3,5 |
3,5 |
|
ECN Spread EUR/USD |
0,2 |
0,2 |
|
Deposit fee, % |
No |
No |
No |
Withdrawal fee, % |
No |
No |
No |
Withdrawal fee, USD |
No |
No |
No |
Inactivity fee, $ |
No |
10 |
10 |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Trading Assets
| Asset Name | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall |
200+ |
1300+ |
3500+ |
Forex |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Stocks |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes |
Yes |
Metals |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Cryptocurrencies |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Energy |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Indices |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (CFD) |
ETFs |
No |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes |
Bonds |
No |
No |
Yes (CFD) |
Mutual funds |
No |
No |
No |
Stock options |
No |
No |
No |
Futures Trading |
No |
No |
No |
Binary Options |
No |
No |
No |
FBS or XM or Admiral Markets: Investment Programs
| Asset Name | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Copy Trading |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
MAM/PAMM |
Yes |
No |
No |
Managed Accounts |
No |
No |
No |
Other |
No |
No |
No |
Trading Platforms: FBS or XM or Admiral Markets
| FBS | XM | Admiral Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
MT4 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
MT5 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
cTrader |
No |
No |
No |
Appropriate platform |
FBSTrader |
No |
Admirals, StereoTrader |
Others |
No |
No |
No |
|
|
|
|
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
| Deposit and Withdrawal Method | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Bank Wire |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Bank Card |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Neteller |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
BTC |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Wise |
No |
No |
No |
Payoneer |
No |
No |
No |
USDT |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Research
| Research Type | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
News Feed |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Fundamental Data |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Chart Analysis |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Trading Ideas |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
E-Mail Reports |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Education
| Education Type | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Demo-account/Paper Trading |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Webinars |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Articles |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Videos |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cent account |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Support
| Support Features | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Working Days |
24/5 |
24/5 |
24/5 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Phone |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Online chat |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
FB Messenger |
No |
FBS vs XM vs Admiral Markets: Forex Bonuses and Promo
| Promo | FBS | XM | Admiral Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
Forex Bonus |
$140 no deposit bonus, up to 100% deposit bonus (Bonuses are not available for EU and UK clients) |
up to $5000 forex bonus, up to 100% forex deposit bonus |
No |
Affiliate Program |
Multi tier affiliate program |
up to $600 per client |
|
Other Promos |
By activating the option in the personal account, a trader can receive a cashback of up to $15 per lot |
||
|
|
|
|
Top 5 Reviews on FBS
-
Comment
Broker FBS provides access to trading on more than 150 markets, including forex, indices, metals, and futures contracts. The minimum deposit is $5, making FBS accessible for beginner traders. Leverage goes up to 1:3000, and the minimum spread on major currency pairs starts from 0.7 pips. Trading platforms available include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and FBS Trader, with a minimum trade size of 0.01 lots.
-
Comment
I've been working with FBS for over six months. Withdrawals to a card usually take up to 48 hours, and fees depend on the chosen method. On the Pro account, spreads start from 0.5 pips but can widen during news releases. The company is regulated by the IFSC — not the strictest regulator, but it's something.
-
Comment
I occasionally use copy trading from FBS. It’s convenient that you can start with just $1. However, when choosing a trader, it’s important to carefully analyze their statistics — not all of them trade consistently. On the plus side, there’s automation; on the downside, the search filters are limited.
-
Comment
I started working with FBS because of the wide variety of account types. The conditions vary: for example, the Cent account requires just a $1 minimum deposit, while the ECN account starts at $1000. Each account suits a different trading strategy. The key is to carefully review the spreads and commissions before opening an account.
-
Comment
I did not get the answer I was seeking or I might have read a different thing online, I really can’t say because when I contacted the FBS support team. After trying the live chat option to no avail, I decided to try the Telegram channel. Initially, it was supposed to be a bot but I got a message that an agent would join. When I asked for the accounts available and features and the ideal one for Forex I got a long message which I did not understand (I was expecting a list of accounts and their features). Later the agent said they only offer standard accounts.
Top 5 Reviews on XM
-
Comment
It’s a cool broker and it works really well especially because the support are helpful, professional and available 24/7.
-
Comment
I discovered XM Group through the Traders Union rankings — the company ranked among the top brokers. I was impressed by the range of instruments: over 1,000 tradable assets, including 55+ currency pairs, stocks, indices, commodities, and even palladium and platinum. Spreads are very tight, with no markup on most pairs. I especially appreciated the execution speed: 99.35% of orders are filled in less than a second, and I can confirm that personally — I haven’t experienced any delays or requotes. Over the past four months, I’ve made around $700 trading currencies and commodities.
-
Comment
I've been trading with XM Group for just over a year. I chose this broker based on reviews and the fact that it holds multiple licenses — ASIC, CySEC, FSC, and DFSA. I really liked the low minimum deposit of just $5, which meant I didn’t have to risk a large amount. I started with a micro account where 1 lot equals 1,000 units — perfect for beginners. I’m satisfied with the spreads: on EUR/USD they start from 0.8 pips, and there are no fees for deposits or withdrawals, which is quite rare. Over the year, I’ve withdrawn about $900 in profit — the funds arrived quickly, with a maximum wait of 2 days.
-
Comment
XM Group is a great choice for active trading thanks to its transparent commission policy and no requotes. Over 5 million traders have chosen this broker — an impressive number. I made about 70 trades in a month, all executed in under a second with no requotes. MQL5 trading signals can be integrated directly into the terminal, making it easy to test ideas from other traders. A $5 minimum deposit and a wide range of assets make XM Group a versatile option for both beginners and professionals.
-
Comment
I liked that XM Group operates under licenses from four regulators at once: ASIC, CySEC, FSC, and DFSA. This inspires confidence. Fast execution was important to me — the broker claims 100% order execution, and in practice trades close at the prices I see in the terminal. Spreads are minimal — for major pairs they stay around 0.8–1 pip. Support is always available on weekends and helped me with account verification questions.
Top 5 Reviews on Admiral Markets
-
Comment
Admirals offers a decent risk management system. For most assets, spreads range from 0.1 to 0.4, and execution is Market Execution. Trading is available via WebTrader and mobile app. Support responds within 24 hours. The only downside is a withdrawal fee, but it is fixed with no hidden charges.
-
Comment
You can open an Invest account with as little as $1, but it's not suitable for active trading. For CFD trading, the broker offers access through the MetaTrader platform — with over 5,000 instruments, including bonds and stock indices. The stop-out level is 50% for retail clients. Even during high market volatility, the platform remained stable, and orders were executed without delays.
-
Comment
I was interested in the social trading feature—Admiral Markets offers its own Copy Trading system where you can replicate trades from other traders. The subscription fee is charged only when you make a profit. The MQL5 Community program is also available via MT4/MT5. I tested both— the interface is user-friendly, and the performance stats are displayed accurately.
-
Comment
Leverage conditions vary depending on the regulator — under the FCA, the maximum is 1:30, while with ASIC or CySEC, it can go up to 1:500 if you qualify as a professional trader. This is something to keep in mind when choosing a jurisdiction. Spreads start from 0.2 pips on major pairs, and order execution is stable. On the plus side, the broker is licensed by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and JCS. Verification was quick — my documents were reviewed within two days.
-
Comment
I was looking for a reliable broker with excellent service and support and found it in Admirals. There were some difficulties when passing verification due to problems with my passport, but the support was attentive and helped solve all the problems. Now I trade with Admirals and receive a stable income, feeling calm and confident.
FAQs
What should I start Forex trading with?
It is desirable for novice traders to explore trading using a demo account to learn the market and how to work on the trading platform without the risk of suffering losses. At the same time, it is advisable to review the educational materials of the broker, learn trading basics. Then you can deposit the minimum required amount to perform a small number of transactions. If you manage to close several months in a row in the black, without substantial drawdowns on the account, then you can try increasing your deposit. Also trying to copy trades automatically is a good option for a start.
What amount should I start trading with?
The minimum deposit of $10 may be enough to trade on the cent account. However, for trading on Standard/ECT accounts, experts recommend starting with at least $200-500. With this amount, you can use not a very big leverage. Remember, getting carried away with the margin is the main cause of losses among beginners.
What should I take into consideration when choosing a broker?
Experts recommend looking at the broker’s reliability first and foremost. The other important features include basic trading conditions, commissions and fees, customer reviews. If brokers are approximately the same in terms of basic criteria, you need to choose based on your experience and tasks. One broker may be good for professionals and another – for novice traders.
Is it possible to be scammed by a broker with a license from a reputable regulator?
In theory, yes. But in practice, it takes so much time and money to comply with the requirements of reputable regulators that it is not worth it for scammers to bother obtaining a legitimate license.
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Team that worked on the article
Mikhail Vnuchkov joined Traders Union as an author in 2020. He began his professional career as a journalist-observer at a small online financial publication, where he covered global economic events and discussed their impact on the segment of financial investment, including investor income. With five years of experience in finance, Mikhail joined Traders Union team, where he is in charge of forming the pool of latest news for traders, who trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, Forex instruments and fixed income.
Olga Shendetskaya has been a part of the Traders Union team as an author, editor and proofreader since 2017. Since 2020, Shendetskaya has been the assistant chief editor of the website of Traders Union, an international association of traders. She has over 10 years of experience of working with economic and financial texts. In the period of 2017-2020, Olga has worked as a journalist and editor of laftNews news agency, economic and financial news sections. At the moment, Olga is a part of the team of top industry experts involved in creation of educational articles in finance and investment, overseeing their writing and publication on the Traders Union website.