Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EC Markets vs Exness
EC Markets vs Exness: the differences
| Compare |  EC Markets |  Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, MetalsCovers more | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Regulators | SIPC | FCA, CySEC, FSA Seychelles, FSCA |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | 1:Unlimited |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | no deposit or withdrawal fee |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($10).
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Key differences
- Exness scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only EC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Exness offers FCA, CySEC, FSA Seychelles.
- Exness is licensed in 3 more countries.
- Markets: only EC Markets offers ETFs.
- Platforms: only EC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App.
- Platforms: only Exness offers MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal.
Our verdict on each
EC Markets
EC Markets suits active traders who want retail leverage of 1:1000 across forex, CFDs, stocks and crypto in one account. The US entity behind the brand, RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC, sits under SIPC up to USD 500,000, so the safety side is easier to check than with an offshore-only broker.
Exness
Exness suits beginners and day traders who want to place stock trades without a dealing charge, with a stock trade fee of $0 and an inactivity fee of $0. Regulators listed are the FCA, CySEC, the FSA Seychelles and the FSCA, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 stated for UK clients.
Score breakdown
| Area | EC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0The $10 minimum deposit sits below the €4.64 site median, so the cost of opening an account is low. | 9.3Higher |
| Offer | 9.5 | 9.6Higher |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | EC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| Seychelles | Not confirmed | |
| South Africa | Not confirmed | FSCA 51024 |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | Not confirmed |
What we checked
EC Markets
- ecmarkets.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Exness
- brokerchampion.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokeranalysis.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- e-trading.cn.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- exness.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- newyorkcityservers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | EC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 138 of 471 | 54 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 58 of 147 | 22 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 56 of 145 | 20 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 47 of 122 | 17 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Exness (SC) Ltd |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Cyprus |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2008 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EC Markets | Exness | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10below the median | $10below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
EC Markets
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so you are not locked into a single asset class.
- You can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App, with the mobile app listed under mobile app.
Cons
- Retail leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses, and on the site's forex list 72.13% of retail accounts lose money.
- The $10 entry point sits above CFI's $0 and Vantage's $5, so the cheapest way in is elsewhere.
Exness
Pros
- A $0 stock trade fee, with the pricing model read as commission-free and low-fee.
- An inactivity fee of $0, so a dormant balance is not billed.
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no charge, so moving money costs nothing.
Cons
- Retail leverage is listed at 1:Unlimited, and 70.15% of retail accounts on this site lose money.
- Regulators listed include the FSA Seychelles and the FSCA alongside the FCA and CySEC, so the entity behind an account can differ by market.
- The market list, stocks, forex and cfds, stops short of ETFs and futures, so share investors wanting those should look elsewhere.
Who each suits
EC Markets
Who it suits
- Active traders who want 1:1000 retail leverage on forex and CFDs
- US-based investors who want protection stated at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Newcomers who can start at $10 and learn on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, if you want to open an account with no minimum at $0
- Vantage, if the entry deposit matters more than the market list, since it starts at $5
- eToro, if you trade futures, which its market list stocks, etfs and forex covers
Exness
Who it suits
- Beginners and day traders, the audiences the brand names.
- Traders who want a $0 stock trade fee and an inactivity fee of $0 on the same account.
- Desktop and mobile users who want to trade across MT4, MT5 and Exness Terminal.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, where the minimum deposit is $0.
- Vantage, with a minimum deposit of $5.
- eToro, which also covers ETFs and futures beyond the markets listed here.
Questions about each
EC Markets
What is the minimum deposit at EC Markets?+
The minimum deposit is $10 to fund an account. That sits above the €4.64 site median, so it is a low entry point rather than the lowest one available. Anyone starting small should confirm which account the deposit applies to before adding funds.
Is money held at EC Markets protected?+
Protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000, under the SIPC scheme named in the brand's licences. That figure is the scheme's stated ceiling rather than a promise of returns, and the scheme's own terms set the conditions, so read them before depositing.
Exness
What does Exness charge to buy a stock?+
Share dealing runs at a stock trade fee of $0, and the pricing model is listed as commission-free and low-fee. On this site's stock trade fee ranking Exness sits at 1 of 161, so the per-trade cost sits at the cheap end of the brands compared. Deposits and withdrawals carry no charge either.
Does Exness charge an inactivity fee?+
The inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant account is not billed for sitting still. Exness ranks 1 of 56 on this measure, at the top of the table of brands compared. Some rivals charge for unused accounts, so this saves money for anyone who opens an account and leaves it quiet for a while.
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