Two regulated brokers are contrasted on access to stock CFDs, platform depth, and regulatory safety. The axis pits ultra-low entry and broad access against advanced trading tools and DMA options.
FP Markets edges Exness on the editorial score. It benefits from stronger Trust & Regulation and Platforms & Tools results.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Exness if…
Choose Exness if you want an ultra-low minimum deposit of $1. You gain access to 100+ share CFDs on MT4, MT5, or Exness Terminal with social trading features across global markets.
Choose FP Markets if…
Choose FP Markets if you want DMA access via IRESS and broad exchange coverage around the world. You access 10,000+ share CFDs across MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS with no platform fee for standard share CFDs.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
FP Markets is best for safety & regulation due to ASIC and CySEC oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.3 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot▼ lower | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | 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 | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Exness rates 3.6/5 and FP Markets rates 4.1/5. FP Markets 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.
FP Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Exness's 0.3. 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 FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes Exness more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Exness and FP Markets 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 20:1, while FP Markets 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, lower than FP Markets's $6 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. FP Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Neither Exness nor FP Markets 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.
Both Exness and FP Markets are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
FP Markets suits active traders with DMA access and 10,000+ share CFDs across multiple platforms.
Exness is best for beginners due to a $1 minimum and accessible MT4/MT5 entry.
FP Markets provides broader global market access with 15 exchanges.
FP Markets offers no platform fee on standard share CFDs, supporting lower ongoing costs.
Equally matched, as neither offers dividend reinvestment or ISA wrappers.
| 0.65 pips |
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi |
|---|
| 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 | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC | ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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