FBS vs Plus500 for Taiwan Traders: A Detailed 2026 Comparison
Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Taiwan Traders
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, choosing the right forex broker can significantly impact trading success. FBS and Plus500 are two globally recognized brokers, each with distinct strengths. FBS, founded in 2009, is known for its high leverage (up to 1:3000) and diverse account types, making it appealing for active traders in Taiwan who want to maximize capital efficiency. Plus500, established in 2008, is a leading CFD provider with a user-friendly proprietary platform, offering fixed spreads and no commissions. Both brokers accept Taiwanese clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer and Credit Card in TWD. However, neither is regulated by the FSC Taiwan, meaning traders must rely on offshore licenses (FBS from FSC Belize, Plus500 from FCA and CySEC). This comparison focuses on key factors for Taiwan traders: trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal convenience. Whether you prioritize high leverage or a simple, regulated environment, understanding these differences is crucial for your trading journey in 2025.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | FBS | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | Plus500 |
For Taiwan traders, trading costs are a critical factor. FBS offers variable spreads from 0.1 pips on its ECN account (requires $500 USD deposit) and zero commission on standard accounts, but spreads widen on cent accounts. Plus500 provides fixed spreads averaging 0.6 pips on EUR/USD with no commissions, making costs predictable. For high-volume traders in Taiwan, FBS's ECN account can be cheaper, but the higher minimum deposit may be a barrier. Plus500 is cost-effective for smaller trades, especially if you value fixed spreads. Both brokers charge no deposit fees for Bank Transfer or Credit Card, but FBS offers lower spreads for active scalpers.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | FBS | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - Taiwan Traders
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:300 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | FBS | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | FBS | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Platform choice is crucial for Taiwan traders. FBS uses MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are industry standards offering advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. This suits experienced traders who want full control. Plus500 has its own proprietary web and mobile platform, known for simplicity, one-click trading, and negative balance protection. It lacks advanced tools like EAs, but is intuitive for manual traders. For Taiwan traders, MT4/5 on FBS is better for technical analysis, while Plus500's platform is ideal for those who prefer a no-frills, fast execution environment.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | FBS | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 |
Execution quality varies between the two. FBS offers market execution with no dealing desk intervention on ECN accounts, providing fast order processing and low slippage, ideal for scalpers in Taiwan. Plus500 uses a no-dealing desk model with STP execution, ensuring transparency and minimal requotes. However, Plus500's fixed spreads may lead to occasional slippage during volatile news events. For Taiwan traders needing speed, FBS's ECN execution is superior, while Plus500's execution is reliable for standard trading.
Regulation & Safety for Taiwan Traders
| Safety Factor | FBS | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Taiwan traders since neither FBS nor Plus500 is regulated by the FSC Taiwan. FBS is regulated by the FSC Belize (license no. 000102/127), which offers limited investor protection, while Plus500 is regulated by top-tier authorities like the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), providing stronger oversight and negative balance protection. For Taiwan traders, Plus500's FCA regulation adds a layer of security, but it imposes lower leverage (up to 1:30 for retail clients). FBS's higher leverage (up to 1:3000) carries more risk but appeals to experienced traders. Always consider the trade-off between regulation and trading flexibility.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Taiwan
| Payment Method | FBS | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 1 to 3 business day |
Taiwan traders can fund their accounts at both FBS and Plus500 using Bank Transfer and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) in TWD. FBS processes Credit Card deposits instantly with no fees, while Bank Transfer may take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals at FBS are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets but can take 2-5 days for Bank Transfer. Plus500 also supports Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits, with Bank Transfer taking 1-3 business days. Withdrawals at Plus500 are typically processed within 3-5 business days. FBS offers more payment options, including Skrill and Neteller, which are convenient for Taiwanese traders. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but Plus500 may charge a withdrawal fee for Bank Transfers. Ensure your bank supports international transfers in TWD.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Taiwan Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Taiwan who need to comply with Sharia law. FBS provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Cent, Standard, ECN) with no additional fees, making it accessible for small and large traders. Plus500 also offers Islamic accounts with no overnight interest, but it may apply a small administrative fee if positions are held for extended periods (e.g., over 10 days). Taiwan Muslim traders should check with each broker's support for specific terms. FBS's policy is more straightforward, while Plus500's fee structure may be a consideration for long-term traders.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | FBS | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
Customer support is vital for Taiwan traders. FBS offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual agents including Chinese (Mandarin). Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections. For Taiwan traders, FBS's Chinese-language support is a plus, while Plus500's response times are generally fast. Neither broker offers local office support in Taiwan.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Plus500 | 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | FBS | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | FBS |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
FBS
Plus500
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Taiwan Guide
Choose FBS if you...
- Want high leverage (up to 1:3000) to amplify small TWD deposits.
- Prefer MetaTrader 4/5 for advanced charting and automated trading.
- Are an active scalper or day trader needing low spreads on ECN accounts.
- Value multiple payment options like Skrill and Neteller alongside Bank Transfer and Credit Card.
Choose Plus500 if you...
- Prefer a simple, user-friendly platform with no learning curve.
- Want fixed spreads and no commissions for predictable costs.
- Prioritize regulation by top-tier authorities like FCA for added security.
- Are a manual trader who does not need advanced tools like Expert Advisors.
FAQ - FBS vs Plus500 in Taiwan
Final Verdict - Taiwan 2026
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, the choice between FBS and Plus500 depends on your trading style. FBS is ideal for those who want high leverage, low spreads on ECN accounts, and the flexibility of MetaTrader platforms. It supports TWD deposits via Bank Transfer and Credit Card, with additional e-wallet options. However, its regulation by FSC Belize offers less protection. Plus500 is better for traders who value simplicity, regulatory oversight from the FCA, and fixed spreads. It also accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card in TWD, but lacks advanced tools. Neither broker is regulated by the FSC Taiwan, so due diligence is key. For active, high-volume traders, FBS's lower spreads and leverage win. For conservative traders, Plus500's regulation and ease of use are safer. Consider your risk tolerance and trading goals before deciding.