Two brokers contend for share CFD exposure across global stocks, balancing regulation, platform choice, and entry costs. The axis of tension centers on access, support, and exchange reach.
Exness and Skilling are closely matched overall. Exness distinguishes itself with 24/5 live chat and phone support, which Skilling does not offer.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Exness wins for broader regulatory coverage with FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and OJK.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads from | 0.3 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: Exness rates 3.6/5 and Skilling rates 3.7/5. Skilling 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 Skilling's 0.7. 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 Skilling requires at least $50. This makes Exness more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Exness and Skilling 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 Skilling 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 Skilling 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.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Exness has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader.
Neither Exness nor Skilling 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 Skilling 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.
Skilling is favored for active traders thanks to cTrader and algorithmic strategies.
Equally matched; no explicit per-trade cost data is provided.
Equally matched; both offer share CFDs only with no ownership or dividend entitlement.
| 0.65 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| 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 | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | cTrader Skilling Trader MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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