Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Admirals vs GBE brokers, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Admirals, established in 2001, and GBE brokers, founded in 2013, are well-respected names in the online brokerage landscape but differ significantly in their regulatory standing and trust scores. Admirals holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, placing it in the "highly trusted" category. This is bolstered by its four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, underscoring a strong regulatory foundation. In contrast, GBE brokers operates with a Trust Score of 71, indicating an "average risk" status. The firm holds one Tier-1 license and lacks any Tier-2 licenses, which might give potential clients something to ponder.
Neither Admirals nor GBE brokers are publicly traded or operate as banks, positioning them as independent entities within the financial sector. Admirals' longstanding presence since 2001 and its comprehensive regulatory compliance offer clients a sense of security and trust. On the other hand, while GBE brokers, established in 2013, presents a newer option for potential clients, its regulatory credentials and trust score suggest it's more suited for those comfortable with moderate risk levels. Potential investors should weigh these factors when deciding which platform aligns best with their trading needs and risk tolerance.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Admirals and GBE Brokers offer distinct pricing structures for potential traders. Admirals stands out with competitive pricing, featuring typical spreads of 0.8 on their Trade account, which is mirrored in their Zero account type. This attractive pricing structure grants Admirals a commendable 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees. Positioned favorably in the market, Admirals ranks #17 out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category.
In contrast, GBE Brokers does not offer readily available average spread data, making direct fee comparisons a bit challenging for prospective clients. Despite this, GBE Brokers achieves a respectable 4-star rating for their commissions and fees. In the broader broker review list by ForexBrokers.com, GBE Brokers is placed at #36 out of 62 brokers, reflecting a solid position but lower than that of Admirals.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investment options, Admirals stands out with its extensive offerings, providing access to 8,702 tradeable symbols, including 82 forex pairs. This breadth is further enhanced by the availability of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, giving clients the option to invest directly in companies like Apple and Vodafone. Admirals also caters to those interested in cryptocurrency derivatives and offers copy trading services. As a result, Admirals achieves a notable 4.5-star rating for its range of investments and is ranked 19th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
GBE Brokers, in contrast, offers a more focused selection with 500 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, but lacks the ability to trade exchange-listed securities, such as those available on the U.S. and international markets. Like Admirals, GBE Brokers does provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives and includes copy trading as part of its offerings. However, GBE Brokers receives a slightly lower 3.5-star rating and is ranked 44th for the range of investments, signifying a narrower selection compared to its competitor.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Admirals and GBE Brokers both provide excellent trading platforms and tools for investors, offering features that cater to both beginners and seasoned traders. Admirals stands out with its proprietary platform and a virtual demo account that allows newcomers to try trading without financial risk. GBE Brokers, while not offering a proprietary platform, matches Admirals with a robust selection, including desktop downloads for Windows and convenient web-based platforms. Both brokers support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, ensuring traders have access to reliable tools for their trading needs. Additionally, Admirals and GBE Brokers cater to collaborative investors with copy trading options, though neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade for automated solutions.
Where Admirals edges ahead in user experience is in its extensive charting and watchlist features. With 106 drawing tools compared to GBE's 15, Admirals provides traders with a more comprehensive toolbox for technical analysis. Both brokers allow direct trading from stock charts and feature 7 columns in their watchlists, but Admirals' wider range of charting tools could be advantageous for traders who rely heavily on detailed analysis. According to ForexBrokers.com, both brokers receive a respectable four-star rating for their platforms and tools, though Admirals is ranked higher at #19 compared to GBE's #57 out of 62 brokers. This nuanced advantage may make Admirals a preferable choice for those prioritizing advanced charting capabilities and platform customization.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 106 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Admirals and GBE Brokers provide apps for both iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of traders. Each app offers the ability to receive stock or forex price alerts, create watchlists with real-time quotes, and draw trendlines on stock or forex charts, making them valuable tools for active traders. Furthermore, both platforms allow the viewing of multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday, offering traders flexibility in analyzing market trends. Admirals and GBE Brokers also provide 30 technical studies for chart analysis, although neither app supports watchlist symbol syncing with their respective online accounts.
Despite similarities in features, there is a notable difference in user satisfaction and industry recognition. Admirals' mobile trading app is rated four out of five stars and ranked 23rd by ForexBrokers.com out of 62 brokers, reflecting a strong reputation among users. In contrast, GBE Brokers shares the same four-star rating but ranks significantly lower at 57th place. This suggests that while both apps are comparable in functionality, Admirals might be perceived more favorably in terms of overall user experience and industry endorsement.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research offerings, Admirals and GBE Brokers both provide daily market commentary and feature an economic calendar for tracking global news events. However, Admirals distinguishes itself with a broader range of research tools and sources. Admirals provides forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while GBE Brokers does not offer this level of news access. Furthermore, Admirals includes additional resources such as Trading Central tools, a sentiment-based trading tool, and partnerships with TipRanks and Acuity Trading for enhanced research capabilities. GBE Brokers, on the other hand, lacks these advanced options.
In terms of ratings, Admirals receives a commendable four out of five stars for research, placing it 15th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This rating reflects its comprehensive research tools and news access which benefit traders seeking in-depth analysis. GBE Brokers, while providing some essential resources, is rated with three out of five stars and ranks 61st out of 62 brokers in the Research category. Traders looking for well-rounded market insights and tools might therefore find Admirals to be a more suitable choice for their research needs.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available to beginners, Admirals clearly stands out over GBE brokers. Admirals offers a comprehensive range of forex and CFD educational materials, including more than 10 articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also provide online educational client webinars every month, which are accessible through a searchable archive. For those just starting out in trading, Admirals features over 10 beginner-focused educational videos to help novices grasp trading fundamentals, along with an investor dictionary that explains more than 50 investing terms. In contrast, GBE brokers do not match these offerings, as they lack a comparable variety of educational content and do not host regular webinars or provide a searchable archive of such events.
Admirals also caters to more experienced traders with more than 10 advanced-level educational videos. This commitment to a wide range of learning materials contributes to their 4-star education rating and impressive #12 rank among 62 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Education category. On the other hand, GBE brokers achieve a 3-star rating and hold the #62 spot, largely due to their limited array of educational resources. Overall, for beginners seeking a rich and diverse learning experience in the realm of forex and CFDs, Admirals offers a more educationally enriching platform.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Admirals is better than GBE brokers. Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #56.
Traders choose Admirals for its excellent investor education and advanced MetaTrader features – such as the Supreme add-ons – alongside an extensive range of shares, forex and CFD markets, and premium research content.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 93 | 71 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Admirals and GBE Brokers do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do offer cryptocurrency derivatives for trading.
Both Admirals and GBE Brokers provide a comprehensive range of options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, ensuring flexibility and convenience for their users.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes | No |
| Investments | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 106 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Admirals Review |
| Overall | Admirals | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill