FBS vs Tickmill for Norway Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Norway Traders
For Norway traders in 2025, choosing between FBS and Tickmill is a critical decision. Both brokers serve retail traders well, but they differ in costs, regulation, and local payment support. FBS, scoring 3.7/5, is known for high leverage and a wide range of account types, appealing to traders who want flexibility. Tickmill, with a 4/5 rating, excels in low spreads and fast execution, making it a favorite for active traders. Norway traders benefit from both brokers accepting Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits. However, local regulation matters: neither broker is directly supervised by the Norwegian financial regulator (Finanstilsynet), but Tickmill holds FCA and CySEC licenses, offering stronger oversight. This comparison covers trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit methods specifically for Norway traders trading in USD.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | FBS | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | Tickmill |
When comparing trading costs for Norway traders, Tickmill has a clear edge. Tickmill's Pro account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3 per lot commission, while FBS's ECN account starts at 0.7 pips with a $6 per lot commission. For a Norway trader executing 10 standard lots per month in USD, Tickmill saves approximately $30 in combined spreads and commissions. FBS does offer a Zero Spread account, but it carries higher commissions. For high-volume traders, Tickmill's cost structure is more favorable. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but Norway traders should consider that Tickmill's lower spreads reduce the impact of the NOK to USD conversion on profits.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | FBS | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - Norway Traders
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | FBS | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and Tickmill offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are the preferred platforms for Norway traders. FBS also provides its own FBS Trader app for mobile trading, while Tickmill offers a web trader platform. For Norway traders, the choice often comes down to familiarity: MT4 is widely used by retail traders in Norway. Tickmill's platforms are known for stable execution and advanced charting tools, while FBS platforms offer more social trading features. Both support VPS hosting for algorithmic traders. Neither broker offers cTrader, which may disappoint some Norway traders, but the MT suite is sufficient for most.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | FBS | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 differs between the two brokers. Tickmill uses a true ECN/STP model with no dealing desk, offering average execution speeds of 0.1 seconds and no requotes. FBS uses a hybrid model with market execution, but some slippage may occur during volatile periods. For Norway traders trading major pairs like EUR/USD, Tickmill's faster execution reduces slippage risk. FBS's execution is still reliable but may not match Tickmill's speed for high-frequency strategies. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, but Tickmill's execution is more consistent for scalpers.
Regulation & Safety for Norway Traders
| Safety Factor | FBS | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key factor for Norway traders. FBS is regulated by the IFSC (Belize) and CySEC, while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC, and the FSA (Seychelles). Neither broker is directly regulated by the Norwegian financial regulator (Finanstilsynet), which means Norway traders do not have local investor protection. However, Tickmill's FCA regulation provides a higher level of security, including negative balance protection and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. FBS's CySEC license offers similar protections within the EU. Norway traders should verify their broker's license and consider the risks of trading with an unregulated entity. Both brokers segregate client funds in top-tier banks.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Norway
| Payment Method | FBS | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Norway traders have convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both FBS and Tickmill. Both accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FBS has a lower minimum deposit of $5, making it accessible for beginners, while Tickmill requires $100. Deposits via USDT TRC20 are processed instantly with no fees, ideal for crypto-savvy traders. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary bank charges. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at both brokers for e-wallets and crypto. FBS offers free withdrawals once a month, while Tickmill charges a small fee for wire transfers. For Norway traders, Skrill and Neteller are the fastest options, with funds available within minutes.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Norway Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Norway Muslim traders. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Cent, Standard, and ECN, with no swap fees on overnight positions. Tickmill offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Pro accounts only, with a small administration fee on positions held beyond a certain period. For Norway traders, FBS's Islamic account is more flexible and cost-effective for long-term positions. Both brokers require a request for Islamic account activation, which is processed within 24 hours. Norway traders should verify that swap-free conditions apply to all instruments, as some brokers exclude certain assets.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | FBS | Tickmill | 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 Norway traders. FBS offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in multiple languages, including Norwegian. Tickmill provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with phone support limited to business hours. FBS's Norwegian-language support is a clear advantage for local traders. Tickmill's support is professional but lacks Norwegian language options. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For urgent issues, FBS's round-the-clock support is more reliable for Norway traders.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
FBS
Tickmill
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Norway Guide
Choose FBS if you...
- Want a low minimum deposit ($5) to start trading with small capital.
- Prefer high leverage up to 1:3000 for maximizing position sizes.
- Need Norwegian-language customer support available 24/7.
- Want access to a wider range of account types, including Cent accounts for micro trading.
Choose Tickmill if you...
FAQ - FBS vs Tickmill in Norway
Final Verdict - Norway 2026
For Norway traders in 2025, Tickmill (4/5) is the recommended broker over FBS (3.7/5) due to its lower costs, stronger regulation, and faster execution. While FBS offers more account flexibility and Norwegian-language support, Tickmill's cost advantage and regulatory oversight under FCA and CySEC provide greater peace of mind. Both brokers support Norway-friendly payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits easy. However, Tickmill's tighter spreads and commission structure are better suited for active traders who trade in USD. FBS remains a solid choice for beginners or those who need high leverage and low minimum deposits. Norway traders should consider their own trading style and risk tolerance, but Tickmill's overall value proposition wins this comparison.