This comparison pits two regulation-forward brokers against each other on cost, platforms, and protection. Exness emphasizes low deposits and raw spreads, while Markets.com emphasizes breadth and multi-platform options.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Exness if you want up to 2000:1 leverage and a $1 minimum deposit.
Choose if…
Choose Markets.com if you want 2,200+ instruments and a proprietary trading platform.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
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)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| 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: Exness rates 4.4/5 and Markets.com rates 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 Markets.com's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Exness has $1, while Markets.com requires at least $25. This makes Exness more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Exness and Markets.com 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Exness requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Exness lists maximum leverage of 2000:1, while Markets.com lists up to 30:1. 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 Markets.com are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Exness supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Markets.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Both provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Markets.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Exness offers tighter spreads from 0.30 pips vs 0.60 pips for Markets.com, reducing trading costs.
Markets.com wins for safety and regulation with CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and FSCA oversight.
Exness wins for active traders thanks to up to 2000:1 leverage.
Exness is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.30 pips.
Markets.com wins for platform choice with a proprietary platform and MT4/MT5.
Markets.com wins for instrument variety with 2,200+ instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1▼ lower | $25 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.3 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.65 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 2,000:1 | 30:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FCA FSCA OJK | ASIC CySEC FCA FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and FSCA four-jurisdiction regulation
$25 minimum deposit - lowest among brokers with this regulatory stack
2,200+ instruments including shares CFDs
FSCS protection (UK) and ICF compensation (EU)
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
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
Cons
Not available to US residents
EU clients face significant leverage restrictions
Unlimited leverage carries extreme risk for inexperienced traders
No proprietary platform
Cons
Spread-only pricing, no raw ECN account
Research tools limited, no analyst reports or stock screener
Not available to US clients
Platform analytical depth below Saxo or IG
Exness edges Markets.com in overall editorial score based on stronger Fees & Spreads and Platforms & Tools ratings.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker