In a head to head, two regulated brokers compete on regulation, costs, and platform options. The axis centers on safety nets and platform flexibility.
ADS Securities and Exness are closely matched overall, with Exness differentiated by its investor compensation scheme.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you want a proprietary platform and institutional liquidity. You gain UAE regulatory oversight through FSRA and FCA.
Choose Exness if…
Choose Exness for a $1 minimum deposit and negative balance protection. You also benefit from broad regulators and fast withdrawals.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Exness offers tighter spreads from 0.30 pips vs 0.50 pips for ADS Securities, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Pros
FSRA (ADGM) and FCA dual regulation, institutional-grade UAE framework
Institutional prime brokerage liquidity for tight spreads
Multi-asset including equities and fixed income
FIX API available for algorithmic and professional clients
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ADS Securities rates 4.3/5 and Exness rates 4.4/5. Exness has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Exness starts from 0.3 pips, tighter than ADS Securities's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Exness has $1, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes Exness more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and Exness hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
Exness stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ADS Securities lists maximum leverage of 200:1, while Exness lists up to 2000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Exness charges $3.5 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ADS Securities are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ADS Securities has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Exness is favored for safety and regulation due to investor compensation and multiple regulators.
Exness is best for active traders with a $1 minimum and up to 2000:1 leverage.
Exness is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.30 pips.
ADS Securities wins with a proprietary platform plus MT4/MT5 compatibility.
Exness appeals to beginners with a $1 minimum and protection features.
ADS Securities offers broader instrument variety including equities and fixed income.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2008 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $2,000 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0.3 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $3.5/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.65 pips |
| Max Leverage | 200:1▲ higher | 2,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSRA FCA | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Near-unlimited leverage on offshore entity
Extremely low $1 minimum deposit on Standard account
Instant withdrawals available 24/7 including weekends
One of the world's highest-volume retail FX brokers
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$2,000 minimum deposit, not accessible to entry-level retail traders
Primary focus on institutional and HNW clients; limited retail tools
Less suitable for traders seeking educational support or copy trading
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Cons
Not available to US residents
EU clients face significant leverage restrictions
Unlimited leverage carries extreme risk for inexperienced traders
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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