Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Exness, 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.
Founded in 2002, XTB enjoys a high trust score of 96 out of 99 as per ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is highly trusted. XTB is publicly traded and holds two Tier-1 licenses, reinforcing its reliability. Additionally, the broker holds two Tier-2 licenses, which are considered as trusted. Notably, XTB is not a bank, which is a common trait shared with many online brokers.
Exness, established in 2008, also holds a strong position in the market but with a marginally lower trust score of 81, categorizing it as trusted. It has the same number of Tier-1 licenses as XTB, with two in total, suggesting a solid degree of credibility. Furthermore, Exness holds three Tier-2 licenses, putting it in a favorable light among traders. Like XTB, Exness is not a bank and operates independently without being publicly traded.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
Comparing commissions and fees, XTB earns 4.5/5 stars (ranked #12 of 63) while Exness scores 4/5 stars (ranked #36 of 63). XTB’s pricing is around the industry average with a reported 1.0-pip average spread on EUR/USD (Q4 2023) on its spread-only Standard account. Exness can deliver tighter spreads on its commission-based accounts, but you’ll pay a per-trade or per-lot fee. For small trade sizes, XTB’s Standard account can be simpler and competitive; for very low spreads, Exness’ commission accounts may come out ahead depending on your volume.
XTB offers two account types: a spread-only Standard account for retail clients and a commission-based Professional account that’s being phased out and is mostly limited to eligible elective professionals in the U.K. and EU. Minimum deposit is 250 in your base currency. Active traders can get 5%–30% of the spread rebated through the Lower Spread Group once monthly volumes hit 20–1000 lots, which helps offset costs at higher volumes. For most retail traders, the Standard account is the practical choice.
Exness provides five main accounts: Standard Cent (highest spreads) and Standard (slightly better spreads), both commission-free with market execution; Pro (lower spreads without commission, with instant or market execution); and two commission accounts—Zero Spread, which charges a $0.05 per-trade commission with market execution, and Raw, which charges up to $7 per round-turn lot ($3.5 per side) with lower spreads. Zero and Raw have a 30% margin-call trigger and no stated leverage or stop-out restrictions. If you prefer ultra-tight spreads and don’t mind paying a commission, Exness’ Zero or Raw can be attractive; otherwise, XTB’s straightforward Standard pricing and available rebates make it competitive for typical retail use.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB vs. Exness: For range of investments, XTB offers far more markets overall, with 7,184 tradeable symbols compared to Exness’s 227. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both provide cryptocurrency derivatives (but not actual coins). XTB lists 71 forex pairs, while Exness lists 96. A key difference is stocks: XTB offers exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, whereas Exness does not.
These differences show up in third‑party ratings: XTB earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #15 out of 63 brokers, while Exness holds 3.5 stars and ranks #56. Choose XTB if you want the widest market selection and the ability to buy exchange-traded stocks; consider Exness if your focus is forex pairs and you want access to copy trading (which XTB does not offer).
| Feature |
XTB
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 227 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 96 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of XTB and Exness, both brokers offer some impressive features appealing to traders of all levels. XTB and Exness each provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts and have developed their proprietary platforms, which are accessible on Windows-based desktop systems and web browsers. However, while Exness supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, XTB does not. In terms of copy trading, Exness offers this option, whereas XTB does not. This variety makes Exness a versatile choice for those looking to expand their trading options.
On the charting front, XTB provides 32 drawing tools, whereas Exness offers a more extensive selection of 87. Both brokers allow direct trading from stock charts and have advanced watchlist features, with XTB offering eight columns compared to Exness’s seven. Despite Exness having a broader range of tools, XTB outranks Exness in the ForexBrokers.com Trading Platforms and Tools category, coming in at #9 and earning 4.5 stars, while Exness is positioned at #26 with a rating of 4 stars. This recognizes XTB’s efficient and user-friendly platform, making it a strong contender for traders prioritizing platform sophistication and ease of use.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 87 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XTB and Exness offer versatile mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing seamless trading on the go. Traders using either platform can receive stock or forex price alerts, draw trendlines, and view various time frames on charts. Both platforms also support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. However, XTB edges ahead by providing more technical studies, with 39 options compared to Exness's 35. Additionally, XTB excels in user convenience by automatically saving chart drawings, a feature not available with Exness.
Despite both apps lacking watchlist symbol syncing, XTB's mobile trading app is highly regarded, earning a rating of 4.5 stars compared to Exness's 4 stars. This higher rating is reflected in their rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where XTB is ranked at #8, whereas Exness holds the #26 spot out of 63 brokers. For traders seeking a more feature-rich mobile trading experience, XTB appears to offer a slight advantage.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing market research at online brokers XTB and Exness: both deliver daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, an economic calendar for global events, and a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning. Neither includes Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. One key difference is Trading Central: Exness offers Trading Central research tools, while XTB does not.
For overall ratings, XTB earns 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Exness holds 3.5 stars and ranks #42. If Trading Central matters to your workflow, Exness has the edge; if you want higher-rated research alongside top-tier news and daily commentary, XTB leads.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When evaluating educational resources for beginners, both XTB and Exness provide a wealth of materials to start your journey into forex or CFDs trading. XTB stands out with its commitment to providing continuous learning opportunities, hosting monthly online webinars to engage with clients live. Additionally, XTB offers a collection of archived webinars that can be easily searched, allowing newbies to revisit valuable sessions. Complementing these interactive sessions, XTB has crafted a range of educational videos catering specifically to beginners and advanced traders alike, ensuring content is available for every learning stage. With such a diverse educational package, XTB has earned a 5-star rating for education and ranks 11th among 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com ranking.
Conversely, Exness also has a strong selection of over 10 educational pieces, including articles and videos that introduce the basics of forex and CFDs. However, Exness does not offer live monthly webinars, limiting the interaction learners may have directly with experts. While Exness provides a searchable archive of past webinars to delve into recorded sessions, it lacks advanced educational videos for experienced traders, focusing instead on content suitable for beginners. Notably, Exness enhances its educational offerings with an investor dictionary comprising over 50 investment terms to assist beginners in understanding complex jargon. Despite these efforts, Exness holds a 3.5-star education rating and is positioned at 47th in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, showing room for growth in its educational initiatives.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than Exness. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Exness finished with an overall rank of #43.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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Exness
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 |
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Both XTB and Exness do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they both provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and Exness, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds; however, XTB supports PayPal while Exness does not, both provide Skrill and major credit card options such as Visa and Mastercard, and each allows for bank wire transactions.
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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Exness Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Exness | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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) | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes |
| Investments | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 227 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 96 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 39 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XTB Review | Exness Review |
| Overall | XTB | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Exness Review |
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