The Complete Guide to FBS Account Types

Opening — Who this guide is for and what it solves

You trade forex and need a clear account map.
Check this guide if you are a beginner, part-time trader, scalper, or pro.
Cover 6 account types and 12 concrete pricing examples.
Match your capital and style fast. Use numbers to decide in minutes.

Choose based on three quick metrics.
Compare minimum deposit from $1 to $1,000.
Compare spreads from 0 pips to 2 pips.
Compare commissions from $0 to about $8 per lot.

Test before you commit real size.
Run 30 to 60 live trades on a low-risk account first.
Move from $1 testing to $100 live gradually.
Save time by skipping irrelevant tiers.

Quick Answer / TL;DR

Pick by capital and style.
– If you want tiny risk and micro lots → choose Cent Account (min deposit ≈ $1, spreads ≈ 1–2 pips).
– If you want low capital and standard conditions → choose Micro Account (min deposit ≈ $5–$10, typical spread ≈ 0.5–1.5 pips).
– If you want a balanced, no-frills account → choose Standard Account (min deposit ≈ $100, spreads ≈ 0.5–1.0 pips).
– If you want zero spread for scalping and accept commission → choose Zero Spread or ECN (spreads 0 pips, commission ≈ $4–$10 per lot).

Read the comparison table below.
Decide in 3 steps: assess capital, choose style, check commissions.
Test for 30 to 60 trades before upgrading.

What We Looked For (evaluation criteria)

Check minimum deposit. It shows accessibility for traders with $1 to $1,000.
Compare typical spread. Use spreads from 0 to 2 pips as a cost metric.
Check commission structure. Note $0 spread-only options and $3–$8 per lot commission models.

Measure leverage options. Compare 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 to 1:1000 in examples.
Verify execution type and restrictions. Note NDD/ECN versus market execution.
Test order types for scalping, hedging, and EAs across 3 to 5 account types.

Watch liquidity and slippage. Expect slippage in fast moves by 10 to 50 points.
Count rollover and swap impacts. Expect swap differences of 0.1% to 1% annually.
Compare overall cost per 1 standard lot and per 100 trades.

1. Cent Account — Best for absolute beginners and testing strategies

Explain what it is in plain terms. Trade with cents, not full dollars. A $1 deposit appears as 100 cents. Trade tiny positions and feel live market pricing. Expect spreads around 1–2 pips on EUR/USD. Expect leverage examples like 1:1000 or broker max up to 1:3000 in some cases.

Use it to test strategies with low capital. Run 10 to 100 strategy iterations for $1 to $50. Test an EA with 0.01 lot increments. See real fills for micro-lot sizes of 1,000 units (0.01 standard lot).

Trade the way you would with a live account. Place 1 to 10 trades per day for practice. Exit losing trades fast to protect 1% to 5% of account. Re-deposit in $1 to $10 steps to scale gradually.

Best for: New traders with less than $50 and traders who want live testing.
Skip if: You need tight spreads for scalping or plan to trade large sizes.

Key points:
– Min deposit: ≈ $1.
– Account display: $1 shows as 100 cents.
– Typical spread: ≈ 1–2 pips on majors like EUR/USD.
– Lot size: micro/cent lots; 0.01 standard lot = 1,000 units (or 1,000 cents).
– Leverage example: up to 1:1000 (subject to broker limits).

Watch out for: Wider relative spreads and limited lot-size granularity that affect per-trade cost.

2. Micro Account — Best for low-capital live trading

Describe the Micro Account. Trade real currency with small increments. Open with about $5–$10 minimum. Expect spreads about 0.5–1.5 pips on major pairs. Leverage typically ranges from 1:200 to 1:500 as examples.

Move from demo to live with $50 to $500. Place trades sized from 0.01 to 0.10 lots. Test position-sizing rules at 1% or 2% risk per trade. Use Micro when you want realistic costs and small steps.

Run 20 to 100 trades over a month to validate a method. Track costs per trade, including spread and occasional slippage of 1 to 5 pips. Aim for consistent edges above trading costs.

Best for: Traders with small balances who want realistic pricing.
Skip if: You require razor-thin spreads for high-frequency scalping.

Key points:
– Min deposit: ≈ $5–$10.
– Typical spread: ≈ 0.5–1.5 pips on majors.
– Minimum lot: 0.01 standard lots (1,000 units).
– Typical max leverage: 1:200–1:500.
– Suited capital range: $50–$500.

Watch out for: Spread variability during news can eat 10% to 50% of small accounts quickly.

3. Standard Account — Best for most retail traders and swing trading

Describe the Standard Account. It is the default retail option. Open with about $100 minimum. Expect typical spreads of 0.5–1.0 pips on EUR/USD. Lot steps usually include 0.01, 0.1, and 1.00 lots.

Use it when you have $500 or more to trade. Hold positions from hours to several days. Carry trades and hedges work better here than on micro accounts. Expect leverage options of 1:100 to 1:500 as common examples.

Trade manually or with EAs at moderate frequency. Place 1 to 5 trades per day, or 50 to 200 trades per month. Manage risk at 1% to 3% per trade and position-size accordingly.

Best for: Swing traders and intermediate retail traders.
Skip if: You are a scalper who needs 0-pip spreads or a micro-cap trader.

Key points:
– Min deposit: ≈ $100.
– Typical spread: ≈ 0.5–1.0 pips on majors.
– Common lot steps: 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 lots.
– Typical leverage: 1:100–1:500.
– Suitable balance: $500+ for comfortable risk management.

Watch out for: Slightly higher capital requirement than cent or micro accounts.

4. Zero Spread Account — Best for scalpers needing predictable spreads

Describe the Zero Spread Account. It offers raw 0-pip spreads on majors. Expect commissions in the range of $4–$8 per lot. Open with about $500 minimum in many broker examples. Leverage often around 1:200.

Use it for scalping, hedging, and arbitrage. Trade many small trades where spread cost dominates. Save on spread but pay commission per lot. Compare round-trip and per-side commission in the broker terms.

Run high-frequency setups with 10 to 200 trades per day if your system permits. Track effective cost: for example, 0 pips plus $6 commission equals an all-in cost per lot. Compare to a spread-only Standard account at 0.8 pips on average.

Best for: Scalpers and high-turnover traders.
Skip if: You make few trades and prefer spread-inclusive pricing.

Key points:
– Min deposit: ≈ $500.
– Spread: 0 pips on select majors.
– Commission: ≈ $4–$8 per lot (check per-side vs round trip).
– Execution: low-latency, often NDD (no dealing desk).
– Ideal trade frequency: high; dozens to hundreds of trades per month.

Watch out for: Commission and swap can offset zero spread advantage for low-volume traders.

5. ECN Account — Best for professional traders and EAs

Describe ECN in practical terms. It connects to market liquidity directly. See raw spreads as low as 0–0.5 pips on majors. Expect commissions around $3–$6 per lot in sample pricing. Typical minimum deposit often sits near $1,000.

Use ECN for algorithmic trading and large orders. Access depth-of-market pricing and multiple liquidity providers. Handle slippage and partial fills as part of real-market execution.

Run larger-size trades from 1 to 10 lots or more. Manage margin with typical leverage of 1:100 to 1:200. Expect tighter spreads but higher capital and stricter margin requirements.

Best for: Active pros and institutional-style traders.
Skip if: You trade tiny sizes or need high built-in leverage.

Key points:
– Min deposit: ≈ $1,000.
– Typical spread: 0–0.5 pips on majors.
– Commission: ≈ $3–$6 per lot.
– Leverage: commonly 1:100–1:200.
– Suitable trade size: medium to large (1+ lots).

Watch out for: Higher capital requirement and margin needs increase drawdown risk.

6. Pro / Advanced Account — Best for experienced traders seeking balance

Describe the Pro or Advanced tier. It blends low spreads and moderate commissions. Expect minimum deposit from $300 to $500. See typical spreads around 0.1–0.8 pips. Commission models vary by plan.

Use it when you want tighter pricing than Standard. Avoid the high minimum of ECN. Trade with reduced commission compared to ECN in some versions. Hold positions from minutes to weeks.

Test on $300 to $1,000 capital ranges first. Trade 50 to 200 trades to check cost parity with ECN. Choose this tier when you want compromise between low spreads and moderate deposits.

Best for: Experienced discretionary traders and moderate-volume EAs.
Skip if: You are a total beginner or require cent-lot trading.

Key points:
– Min deposit: ≈ $300–$500.
– Typical spread: ≈ 0.1–0.8 pips.
– Commission: reduced vs. ECN or included depending on plan.
– Leverage: typically 1:100–1:500.
– Ideal for balances: $300–$2,000.

Watch out for: Plan names and exact costs can vary; verify before funding.

Comparison table of FBS account types — quick side-by-side

Use this table to compare minimum deposit, typical spread, commission, and best use case at a glance.

The pattern is simple. Lower spreads come with higher minimums or explicit commissions. Compare expected cost per 1 lot and per 100 trades. Use the table to match frequency and capital.

Closing — How to choose / Bottom line

If you have less than $50 → pick Cent or Micro to learn with low risk.
If you have $100–$500 and trade swing or part-time → pick Standard or Pro for balanced spreads.
If you scalp frequently or run high-volume EAs → pick Zero Spread or ECN despite commission.

Test before you upgrade. Perform 30 to 60 live trades on a small account first. Measure effective cost per lot and per 100 trades. Compare commissions like $3–$8 per lot to spread-only alternatives.

Verify exact minimums, spreads, and commissions in your FBS dashboard before funding. Check leverage limits like 1:100, 1:200, or 1:500 when you set up. Choose based on capital, trade frequency, and tolerance for commission versus spread.