Updated October 13, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FBS vs XM
What sets them apart
| Compare |  FBS |  XM |
|---|---|---|
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66.43% | 75.12% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free | 0 fees on partner withdrawals |
| Minimum deposit | $5 | Not confirmed |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Metals | Not confirmed |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.5% | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | Not confirmed |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Regulators: only FBS offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Regulators: only XM offers SIPC.
- Support channels: only FBS offers Email, Phone.
- Features: only FBS offers Demo account, Mobile app.
- Features: only XM offers Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
FBS
Fbs Partners suits readers who want a plain, low cost picture from a firm regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: the account fee is $0 and the stock trade fee is $0. The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% and the retail loss rate of 66.43% are the figures to weigh before funding.
XM
XM is known for letting traders copy thousands of successful strategies alongside a range of accounts. It is a broker that serves beginners and experienced traders who want fast execution, fair conditions and structured choice with clear direction.
Score breakdown
| Area | FBS | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3 | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.3Higher | 8.3 |
| Trust | 8.8Higher | 8.6 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | FBS | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 70992 |
Sources behind this comparison
FBS
- investing.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fbs.eu: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
XM
- partners.xm.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FBS | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Copy trading |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Tradestone Limited | &PARTNERS |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2009 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FBS | XM | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66.43%below the median | 75.12%highest quarter | 72.05% |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.5%below the median | Not confirmed | 0.65% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
FBS
Pros
- An account regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses Tradestone Limited under 331/17, so the contract has a named entity behind it.
- The stock trade fee is $0 on a commission free model, so dealing in the shares and ETFs inside stocks, etfs and forex carries no ticket charge.
- The inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant balance is not quietly drained by account charges.
Cons
- The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% is the charge that lands on every forex and CFD trade, so currency traders feel it more than the flat fees suggest.
- The minimum deposit of $5 sits above CFI's $0, so readers who want the smallest opening balance have a lower floor elsewhere.
- The market list stocks, etfs and forex leaves out crypto and futures, which eToro covers in stocks, etfs and forex.
XM
Pros
- Community of over 20 million clients alongside 250,000 partners.
- Ability to copy thousands of successful strategies created by other traders.
- Fast execution and fair trading conditions designed around everyday needs.
Cons
- Copying other traders still requires judgement about risk and strategy fit.
- Wide account and strategy choice can feel demanding for absolute beginners.
Who each suits
FBS
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a new trading account: the minimum deposit is $5 and the account fee is $0.
- Readers who hold shares and ETFs alongside forex: stocks, etfs and forex covers that mix on the same account.
- European readers who want a Cyprus regulated firm: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses the entity behind the brand.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want the smallest possible opening balance: CFI takes $0.
- Readers who need crypto or futures in the same account: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, and those lines sit outside stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who want crypto added to a forex, CFD, stock, ETF and metals mix: Vantage covers forex, cfds and stocks.
XM
Who it suits
- Beginners who want guided account choice
- Active traders who value fast execution
- Learners who want to follow shared strategies
Who should look elsewhere
- Investors seeking managed portfolio services
Current offers
XM
Current offer
Bonus
Partners Rewards Program - up to $150,000 extra income: up to $150,000
Availability varies by country
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
FBS
What does it cost to run an account at Fbs Partners?+
The account fee is $0, the stock trade fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so nothing is charged for holding the account, dealing in shares or leaving a balance idle. Deposits and withdrawals carry no charge either. What remains on a forex or CFD trade is the spread, quoted at 0.5% on EUR/USD.
How much does the EUR/USD spread cost in practice?+
The EUR/USD spread is 0.5%. On a currency pair that spread is the dealer's charge for opening and closing, so it lands on every position rather than on a ticket line. The stock trade fee of $0 and the account fee of $0 sit alongside it, which makes the spread the number to size positions around.
XM
What does XM offer traders?+
XM provides trader focused products built around active trading and choice. The range includes accounts for different experience levels and access to shared strategies. Fair conditions and fast execution sit at the centre of the offer.
How does strategy copying work at XM?+
XM allows traders to copy thousands of successful strategies shared by other traders. This approach helps newer traders learn from practical examples while they manage their own decisions. It also gives experienced traders a broader view of market approaches.
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