CMC Markets vs Exness 2026: Which Broker is Better?

Regulation & Safety

CMC Markets is a veteran in the brokerage industry, established in 1989 and headquartered in London, UK. It operates under a strong regulatory framework, being authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This extensive regulation ensures a high level of safety for traders, including client fund protection and adherence to strict financial standards.

Exness, founded in 2008 and based in Limassol, Cyprus, is regulated by the FCA, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. While also offering a robust regulatory environment, Exness provides client fund protection but is limited by its exclusion from offering high leverage in the US and EU markets.

Fees & Spreads

CMC Markets offers a competitive spread structure starting at 0.7 pips for major forex pairs, with no commissions charged on trades. This can make it an attractive choice for traders looking to minimise costs on a per-trade basis. However, traders should be aware of potentially higher spreads on certain instruments and an inactivity fee that kicks in after 12 months of non-trading.

Exness, on the other hand, provides spreads from as low as 0.1 pips, albeit with a commission of $3.5 per lot. The low minimum deposit of $10 and high leverage up to 1:2000 can be appealing to traders with smaller capital. Exness also boasts no withdrawal fees, which can be a significant advantage for active traders seeking liquidity and flexibility in fund management.

Trading Platforms

CMC Markets stands out with its award-winning Next Generation platform, alongside the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4). The proprietary platform offers advanced charting tools and a user-friendly interface, ideal for both novice and experienced traders. Exness provides both MT4 and MT5, along with its proprietary mobile platform. The availability of MT5 allows traders to benefit from enhanced analytical tools and more order types, though the lack of TradingView integration may be a drawback for some.

Who Should Choose CMC Markets?

• Traders requiring a strong regulatory framework and client fund protection.
• Investors looking for a diverse range of over 10,000 instruments.
• Clients preferring no minimum deposit requirement.
• Users who value advanced trading tools and analytics.

Who Should Choose Exness?

• Traders seeking extremely high leverage options up to 1:2000.
• Clients who prefer low minimum deposits starting at $10.
• Investors looking for 24/7 instant withdrawals without fees.
• Forex traders focused on low spread environments.

Our Verdict

For beginners, CMC Markets stands out due to its user-friendly platforms and strong regulatory support. For professional traders seeking high leverage and minimal deposit requirements, Exness offers superior conditions. On fees, Exness takes the lead with its lower spreads and minimal commission structure.