Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore traders in 2025 face a competitive forex landscape, and two brokers that frequently appear in comparisons are FBS and FxOpen. Both hold equal ratings of 3.7 out of 5, but they cater to different trading styles. FBS is known for its low minimum deposit, generous bonuses, and user-friendly platforms, making it popular among retail traders. FxOpen, on the other hand, appeals to sophisticated investors with its ECN pricing model, tight spreads, and multi-asset trading capabilities. For traders in Singapore’s financial hub, factors like local payment methods (PayNow, Bank Transfer, Credit Card) and regulatory oversight are critical. While neither broker is directly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), both accept Singapore clients and offer tailored solutions. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, deposit methods, and regulatory considerations to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in 2025.
| Instrument | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxOpen |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxOpen |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxOpen |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxOpen |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FxOpen |
Spread costs are a major consideration for Singapore traders, especially those trading high volumes. FBS offers spreads starting from 0.5 pips on its Standard account and from 0.1 pips on its Zero Spread account (with commission). FxOpen provides raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its ECN account with a commission of $3.5 per lot round turn. For EUR/USD, FxOpen’s effective spread (spread + commission) is typically lower than FBS’s Standard account. Over 100 lots per month, FxOpen can save a Singapore trader $200–$400 in spread costs. Both brokers offer fixed and floating spreads, but FxOpen’s ECN model is more cost-effective for active traders in Singapore.
| Account Type | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FxOpen |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and FxOpen offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the gold standards for forex trading. FBS adds its own web trader and mobile app, which are beginner-friendly. FxOpen provides cTrader in addition to MT4/MT5, a platform favoured by sophisticated investors for its advanced charting and order management. For Singapore traders who rely on algorithmic trading or scalping, FxOpen’s cTrader offers superior execution and customisation. FBS’s platforms are adequate for manual traders, but FxOpen’s multi-platform support gives it an edge for professional-grade trading.
| Factor | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxOpen |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FxOpen offers superior execution quality with its ECN model, providing direct market access and low latency. FBS uses a market maker model with dealing desk execution, which can lead to requotes during volatile markets. For Singapore traders who scalp or trade news events, FxOpen’s execution is more reliable. FBS’s execution is sufficient for standard trading but may not suit high-frequency strategies.
| Safety Factor | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Singapore traders, even though neither FBS nor FxOpen is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). FBS holds an IFSC licence in Belize, which provides basic client protection but no compensation scheme. FxOpen is regulated by the FCA in the UK (for UK clients) and CySEC in Cyprus, offering negative balance protection and coverage under the ICF (up to €20,000). For Singapore traders, FxOpen’s FCA regulation adds a layer of trust, though it does not replace MAS oversight. Both brokers accept Singapore residents, but traders should conduct due diligence and consider using segregated accounts.
| Payment Method | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 24 hours |
Singapore traders can deposit and withdraw funds conveniently at both FBS and FxOpen using PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. FBS also supports local e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, while FxOpen additionally accepts UnionPay. Minimum deposits: FBS from $10 SGD equivalent, FxOpen from $50 SGD. Withdrawals via PayNow are processed within 1-2 business days for both brokers. FBS offers faster withdrawals (within 24 hours) for verified accounts, while FxOpen takes 1-3 days. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but FxOpen may charge a small withdrawal fee for bank transfers. For Singapore traders, PayNow is the most efficient method due to instant processing and no currency conversion fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both FBS and FxOpen provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders. FBS offers Islamic accounts on all account types with no additional fees or time limits. FxOpen provides Islamic accounts on Standard and ECN accounts but may charge an admin fee of $5 per lot after 30 days of holding a position overnight. Singapore traders should confirm the swap-free status with customer support and review the terms for long-term positions. FBS’s zero-fee policy makes it more attractive for Islamic account holders in Singapore.
| Support Feature | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 customer support in English and Chinese via live chat, email, and phone. FxOpen provides support 24/5 during market hours with English, Russian, and Arabic language options. For Singapore traders, FBS’s round-the-clock support is advantageous, especially for weekend trading queries. FxOpen’s support is responsive but limited to trading hours. Both brokers have detailed FAQs and help centres.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FxOpen |
| Resource | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose FxOpen if you...
For Singapore traders in 2025, the choice between FBS and FxOpen comes down to your trading style and priorities. FBS wins for beginners and those who value low barriers to entry, generous bonuses, and 24/7 support. FxOpen is better for sophisticated investors who need tight spreads, ECN execution, and multi-platform support. Both brokers accept PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits, making funding easy for Singapore residents. Neither is MAS-regulated, so traders should exercise caution. If you prioritise cost efficiency and regulatory transparency, FxOpen is the stronger choice. If you prefer flexibility and promotional offers, FBS is a solid alternative. Review your trading needs and test both brokers with demo accounts before committing.