Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Cyprus-based retail traders, choosing between Exness and FBS can significantly impact trading costs and overall experience. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, stands out for its ultra-low spreads, flexible leverage up to 1:2000, and robust regulation by the local financial regulator (CySEC). FBS, rated 3.7/5, offers a more accessible entry point with a $5 minimum deposit and a user-friendly platform. Both brokers accept popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless for Cyprus traders. Whether you prioritize cost efficiency or simplicity, this comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in the Cypriot market.
| Instrument | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FBS |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FBS |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FBS |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FBS |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $10 | $1 | FBS |
| Inactivity fee | β | β | Tie |
For Cyprus traders, trading costs are a critical factor. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account for major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.5 per lot. In contrast, FBS spreads start from 0.7 pips on its ECN account, with no commission. Over 100 trades per month, Exness can save Cyprus traders up to $70 in spread costs, making it more economical for high-volume traders. FBS may appeal to those trading smaller volumes due to its lower minimum deposit.
| Account Type | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | β | β |
| ECN / Raw spread | β | β |
| Islamic (swap-free) | β | β |
| Demo account | β | β |
| PAMM / MAM account | β | β |
| Zero spread account | β | β |
| Copy trading | β | β |
| VPS trading | β | β |
| Min deposit | $10 | $1 |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:3000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | β | β | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | β | β | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | β | β | FBS |
| ETFs | β | β | Tie |
| Options | β | β | Tie |
| Futures | β | β | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | β | β |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | β | β |
| cTrader | β | β |
| TradingView | β | β |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | β | β |
| Scalping allowed | β | β |
| Hedging allowed | β | β |
| Fixed spreads | β | β |
| Variable spreads | β | β |
Both brokers provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry standards preferred by Cyprus traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Exness also offers a proprietary web platform and mobile app with enhanced features like one-click trading. FBS adds the FBS Trader app for simple mobile trading. For Cyprus traders who rely on expert advisors (EAs) or custom indicators, both platforms are equally capable, but Exnessβs additional tools provide a slight edge.
| Factor | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FBS |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | β | β | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | β | β | Tie |
| News trading | β | β | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | β | β | Tie |
Exness boasts an average execution speed of under 0.1 seconds with no requotes, thanks to its advanced infrastructure and multiple liquidity providers. FBS execution speed is around 0.3 seconds, which is still fast but may result in slippage during volatile markets. For Cyprus traders engaged in scalping or high-frequency trading, Exness provides superior execution quality.
| Safety Factor | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | IFSC |
| Reg number | #730729 | #IFSC/60/230/TS/19 |
| Verify registration | Verify β | Verify β |
| Top-tier regulated | β | β |
| Investor protection | β | β |
| Segregated funds | β | β |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
Exness and FBS are both regulated by CySEC, the local financial regulator in Cyprus, ensuring adherence to European MiFID II standards. This means Cyprus traders benefit from negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) for claims up to β¬20,000. Exness also holds additional licenses from the FCA and FSA, adding an extra layer of security. FBS is primarily regulated by CySEC and the IFSC, which offers slightly less robust protection for Cyprus traders.
| Payment Method | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | β | β |
| Visa / Mastercard | β | β |
| Skrill | β | β |
| Neteller | β | β |
| USDT / Crypto | β | β |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days | 15-20 minutes for most methods; up to 48 hours for bank transfer |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Cyprus traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with both brokers. Exness supports instant deposits with no fees for e-wallets and crypto, while Bank Transfers may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets. FBS also offers these methods, but Skrill and Neteller deposits may incur a 1% fee, and withdrawals can take up to 48 hours. For USDT TRC20, both brokers provide near-instant processing, but Exness has no minimum deposit for crypto, making it more flexible for Cyprus traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | β | β |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | β | β |
| Gold swap-free | β | β |
| Crypto swap-free | β | β |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Exness and FBS offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Cyprus Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying interest (riba). Exness provides swap-free accounts on all account types, including Standard and Raw Spread, with no additional fees. FBS offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Cent accounts, but swap-free status may be limited to certain instruments. Cyprus traders should confirm with both brokers that their preferred account type qualifies for swap-free trading.
| Support Feature | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | β | β | Tie |
| Phone support | β | β | Tie |
| Email support | β | β | Tie |
| 24/7 support | β | β | Exness |
| 24/5 support | β | β | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness provides 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Cyprus traders. FBS offers similar 24/7 support but has slower response times during peak hours. Exness also has a comprehensive FAQ section in Greek, which is beneficial for local traders. Both brokers offer support in English and Greek, but Exnessβs faster response times give it an advantage.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5β | 4.3β | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3β | 4.2β | Exness |
| Biometric login | β | β | Tie |
| Push notifications | β | β | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | β | β | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Dark mode | β | β | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | FBS | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | β | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | β | β | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose FBS if you...
For Cyprus traders, Exness is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and better deposit/withdrawal options via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its strong regulation by the local financial regulator (CySEC) ensures peace of mind. FBS, rated 3.7/5, is a viable alternative for beginners or those with limited capital, but its higher spreads and slower withdrawals make it less competitive. If you prioritize cost efficiency and reliability, choose Exness for your trading journey in Cyprus.