Two brokers compete on regulation, access, and client protections. The axis of tension centers on safety features and cross-border stock access.
ADS Securities and Exness are closely matched. Exness offers a compensation scheme and negative balance protection not available with ADS.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value DFSA regulation and GCC-focused access with dedicated relationship managers.
Choose Exness if…
Choose Exness if you want ultra-low minimum deposit and broad platform access with negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Exness wins safety and regulation with FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and OJK oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0.3 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $3.5/lot |
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, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ADS Securities rates 3.8/5 and Exness rates 3.6/5. ADS Securities 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 lists tighter spreads from 0.3, compared with ADS Securities's 0.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
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 20:1. 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 trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ADS Securities are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
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.
Neither ADS Securities nor Exness is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Exness scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Exness suits active traders with multi-platform access and fast withdrawals.
ADS Securities wins global market access with eight exchanges.
Exness wins for low cost trading thanks to a $1 minimum deposit.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or DRIP.
| N/A |
| 0.65 pips |
| 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 |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FSRA FCA | FSCA FCA OJK CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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