Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Norway traders in 2025, choosing between FBS (rated 3.7/5) and Global Prime (rated 3.6/5) requires understanding their unique offerings. FBS is a globally recognized broker with over 15 years of experience, offering low spreads and a wide range of account types suitable for retail traders. Global Prime, while slightly lower-rated, excels in execution quality and transparency, making it a favorite among serious scalpers and algorithmic traders. Both brokers accept Norway clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals. The Norwegian krone (NOK) is not directly supported, so trades are conducted in USD, which is standard for international brokers. This comparison dives into costs, platforms, regulation, and local support to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in Norway.
| Instrument | FBS | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Global Prime |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Global Prime |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Global Prime |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Global Prime |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $0 | Global Prime |
FBS offers tighter spreads, starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero account with a commission of $6 per lot, while its Standard account has spreads from 0.5 pips with no commission. Global Prime also provides spreads from 0.0 pips but charges a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, totaling $7 per round turn. For Norway traders trading 10 lots per month, FBS with a Standard account would cost around $50 in spreads, whereas Global Prime would cost $70. This makes FBS more cost-effective for high-volume retail traders. However, Global Prime's spreads are more stable during news events, which may appeal to Norway traders focusing on major pairs like EUR/USD or USD/JPY.
| Account Type | FBS | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Global Prime |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), both popular among Norway traders for their advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. Global Prime also offers MT4 and MT5, but adds cTrader for those who prefer ECN-style trading with depth of market. For Norway traders, MT4 is widely used due to its reliability and custom indicators. Global Prime's cTrader is a bonus for those who want more transparency in order execution. Both brokers support mobile trading apps, ensuring you can trade on the go in Norway.
| Factor | FBS | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Global Prime |
| 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 |
Global Prime is known for its ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging under 40 milliseconds, with no requotes or slippage. FBS also offers fast execution but may experience occasional slippage during high volatility. For Norway traders who scalp or use automated strategies, Global Prime's execution quality is superior. However, FBS's execution is still reliable for most retail trading styles.
| Safety Factor | FBS | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize, while Global Prime is regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and also holds an Australian ASIC license. For Norway traders, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, but both comply with international standards such as negative balance protection and segregated client funds. This means your funds are kept separate from broker assets, providing a safety net. Norway traders should note that these brokers are not covered by the Norwegian Investor Compensation Scheme, so due diligence is essential.
| Payment Method | FBS | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. |
Both FBS and Global Prime support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 for Norway traders. FBS has a minimum deposit of just $5, making it highly accessible for beginners, while Global Prime requires $100. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant, while Bank Transfer takes 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes and have low fees, ideal for crypto-savvy Norway traders. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while Bank Transfer may take 2-5 days. FBS does not charge withdrawal fees, but Global Prime charges a small fee for bank withdrawals. USDT TRC20 is particularly popular in Norway for its speed and low cost.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Norway. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Standard and Zero, with no additional fees. Global Prime offers swap-free accounts upon request, but they may have a limited timeframe for holding positions without swap charges. Norway traders following Sharia law should confirm with customer support that the account is fully compliant. FBS's policy is more straightforward, making it a preferred choice for Islamic traders in Norway.
| Support Feature | FBS | Global Prime | 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 via live chat, email, and phone, with support in English and several other languages. Global Prime provides support during market hours (Monday to Friday) via live chat and email. For Norway traders, FBS's round-the-clock support is advantageous if you trade during off-hours. Both brokers have responsive teams, but FBS's availability gives it an edge for urgent issues.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Global Prime | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | FBS |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose Global Prime if you...
For Norway traders in 2025, the choice between FBS and Global Prime hinges on your priorities. FBS (score 3.7/5) is better for retail traders who want low costs, flexible deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and a low minimum deposit. Global Prime (score 3.6/5) is ideal for those who prioritize execution speed and transparency, with cTrader as a bonus. Both brokers are safe to use in Norway, but neither is locally regulated. If you trade high volume and want to minimize costs, FBS is the winner. If you scalp or use EAs, Global Prime's execution quality gives it the edge. Consider your trading style and deposit preferences before deciding.