Brokers Profile
Reviewed by Experts Updated 10/5/2026

Deriv vs RHB Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Deriv and RHB Securities serve very different types of investors — one built for active forex and CFD traders, the other rooted in traditional stock market access. Our in-depth comparison breaks down fees, regulation, platforms, and more to help you decide which one fits your strategy.

OVERALL WINNER
D

Deriv

3.8 / 5Score: 3 / 5

Tier-1 regulated multi-asset trading with commission-free pricing and leverage up to 1:1000.

Min deposit
$5
Max leverage
1:1000
Spread from
0.5 pips
Regulators
FCA, MAS
RS

RHB Securities

3.3 / 5Score: 2 / 5

Zero minimum deposit stock brokerage built on nearly three decades of regional market expertise.

Min deposit
$0
Max leverage
1:2
Spread from
0 pips
Regulators
SC Malaysia, MAS
Overall Winner
Deriv
Best for Beginners
RHB Securities
Lowest Fees
RHB Securities
Top Regulation
Deriv

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature
D
Deriv
RS
RHB Securities
Overview
Rating3.8 / 53.3 / 5
Founded19991994
HeadquartersLimassol, CyprusKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
RegulationFCA, MASSC Malaysia, MAS
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit$5$0
Spreads From0.5 pips0 pips
CommissionNone$0.1/lot
Max Leverage1:10001:2
Platforms & Markets
Trading PlatformsMT5, Proprietary Web, Proprietary MobileRHB TradeSmart, RHB Mobile
Markets OfferedForex, Cfd, Crypto, Indices, CommoditiesStocks, Etf, Bonds, Funds

Trading & non-trading fees

Min Deposit

Deriv

$5

RHB Securities

$0

Spreads From

Deriv

0.5 pips

RHB Securities

0 pips

Commission

Deriv

None

RHB Securities

$0.1/lot

Deposit Fees

Deriv

None

RHB Securities

None

Withdrawal Fees

Deriv

None

RHB Securities

None

Pros & cons

D

Deriv

Pros

  • Backed by tier-1 regulators including the FCA and MAS
  • Commission-free trading simplifies cost planning
  • High leverage ceiling of up to 1:1000 for flexible position sizing
  • Supports five distinct asset classes under one account
  • Industry-standard MT5 platform plus proprietary tools
  • Low $5 minimum deposit keeps entry barriers minimal
  • Higher overall rating of 3.8/5 in our independent research

Cons

  • Spreads start wider at 0.5 pips compared to some competitors
  • High leverage can increase risk exposure for inexperienced traders
  • No dedicated desktop platform beyond MT5 and web tools
  • Headquartered offshore in Cyprus rather than a major financial hub
RS

RHB Securities

Pros

  • No minimum deposit required to open an account
  • Tightest spreads in this comparison, starting from 0 pips
  • Established track record dating back to 1994
  • Regionally focused regulation through SC Malaysia and MAS
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees
  • Straightforward platform suited to traditional investing

Cons

  • Lacks tier-1 Western regulation such as the FCA
  • Maximum leverage limited to 1:2, restricting trading flexibility
  • Charges a $0.1 per lot commission on top of spreads
  • Narrower market range limited to traditional securities
  • No support for forex, crypto, or CFD trading

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Overall winner Deriv
Lowest fees RHB Securities
Best regulation Deriv
Better for beginners RHB Securities

Deriv earns our recommendation as the stronger all-around broker, scoring 3.8/5 against RHB Securities's 3.3/5 on our independent rating system. Deriv's tier-1 regulatory coverage from the FCA and MAS, combined with its multi-asset access and higher leverage ceiling, makes it the better fit for most forex and CFD traders. That said, RHB Securities still wins on raw cost for stock-focused investors, offering 0 pip spreads and a $0 minimum deposit that's hard to beat for beginners with limited starting capital.

Regulation & Safety

Regulatory strength is one of the clearest differentiators in this matchup. Deriv is regulated by the FCA in the UK and MAS in Singapore — two of the most respected tier-1 regulators in the industry, both known for strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules.

RHB Securities is licensed by SC Malaysia and MAS, which provides solid regional oversight, particularly for Malaysian and Southeast Asian investors trading domestic stocks and bonds. However, it lacks a comparable tier-1 Western regulator like the FCA.

For traders who prioritize maximum regulatory protection and the ability to escalate disputes through well-established frameworks, Deriv currently holds the edge. RHB Securities remains a trustworthy, well-regulated option for investors operating primarily within Malaysian markets.

Fees & Spreads

On pure cost, RHB Securities technically wins with spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Deriv's 0.5 pip minimum. RHB Securities does apply a small $0.1 per lot commission, so traders should factor that into real-world cost calculations rather than looking at spreads alone.

Deriv charges no per-trade commission at all, relying instead on its spread markup to generate revenue. For high-frequency forex and CFD traders, this commission-free structure can actually simplify cost forecasting, even if the headline spread is slightly wider.

Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome point of parity. Overall, active scalpers chasing the tightest possible spread may lean toward RHB Securities, while traders who value predictable, commission-free pricing will likely prefer Deriv.

Minimum Deposit & Accessibility

RHB Securities has a clear advantage for budget-conscious beginners, requiring absolutely no minimum deposit to open an account. This makes it one of the more accessible entry points for new investors who want to test the waters in stocks, ETFs, bonds, and funds.

Deriv's $5 minimum deposit is still remarkably low by industry standards and poses little barrier to entry for most traders. For context, many competing forex and CFD brokers require minimums in the hundreds of dollars, so Deriv remains highly accessible despite not being completely free to start.

Ultimately, both brokers are friendly toward new traders with limited capital, but RHB Securities edges out Deriv specifically for those wanting to deposit nothing upfront.

Trading Platforms & Tools

Deriv supports the widely-used MetaTrader 5 (MT5) alongside its own proprietary web and mobile platforms, giving traders flexibility between an industry-standard terminal and custom-built tools designed around Deriv's unique product offerings like synthetic indices.

RHB Securities runs its own RHB TradeSmart platform paired with the RHB Mobile app, tailored specifically for equities, ETFs, bonds, and fund trading rather than leveraged forex or CFD instruments.

Traders who want access to a globally recognized platform like MT5 — with its advanced charting, algorithmic trading support, and broad community of indicators — will find Deriv's platform lineup more versatile. RHB's proprietary suite is well-suited to straightforward stock market investing but offers less flexibility for technical, multi-market traders.

Market Range & Leverage

Deriv offers access to five broad market categories: Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Indices, and Commodities, supported by leverage up to 1:1000. This makes it a strong choice for traders who want diversified, leveraged exposure across multiple global asset classes from one account.

RHB Securities focuses on Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, and Funds, with leverage capped at a conservative 1:2. This structure reflects RHB's identity as a traditional securities brokerage rather than a leveraged trading platform.

The choice here really comes down to trading style. Active forex and CFD traders seeking higher leverage and broader market access will find Deriv far better suited, while long-term equity investors who prefer lower-risk, unleveraged positions will feel more at home with RHB Securities.

Company Background & Track Record

RHB Securities has the longer operating history, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, giving it three decades of established presence in regional securities markets.

Deriv, founded in 1999 and based in Limassol, Cyprus, has built its reputation more recently but has grown into a globally recognized name in the online forex and CFD space.

Both companies bring meaningful track records to the table, though in different sectors — RHB Securities in traditional brokerage and Deriv in online retail trading.

Verdict summary

The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.

Editor's verdict

Deriv wins overall

Deriv edges out RHB Securities overall based on our expert rating score.

D

Highest Rated

Deriv

3.8 / 5 / 5

Visit Deriv

Category winners

  • Overall winner

    Based on overall expert rating (3.8/5).

    Deriv
  • Better for beginners

    Stronger onboarding and educational resources.

    RHB Securities
  • Lower trading costs

    More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.

    RHB Securities
  • Stronger regulation

    Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.

    Deriv

Frequently asked questions

Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

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