Exness vs XM 2026: Fees & Withdrawals Tested
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Exness and XM are two of the most widely used multi-regulated forex and CFD brokers for traders in MENA, Southeast Asia and Europe. Exness wins overall on tested cost and withdrawal speed, scoring 9.3 against XM's 9.1. Pick Exness for the tightest Pro spreads and near-instant e-wallet payouts; pick XM for a $5 entry, broader instrument choice and a genuinely useful education programme.
| Criterion | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | ★ 9.3 | 9.1 |
| Min Deposit | $10 | ★ $5 |
| Spread From | 0.0 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1:Unlimited | 1:1000 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness App, Mobile, Web | MT4, MT5, XM App, WebTrader, Mobile, Web |
| Regulation | CySEC, FCA, FSA Seychelles, FSCA | CySEC, ASIC, FCA, DFSA |
| Instruments | 230 | ★ 1,400 |
| Support Score | ★ 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Education Score | 8.5 | ★ 9.5 |
| Mobile App Score | ★ 9.0 | 8.0 |
Winner: Exness
Exness takes the overall win. It averaged 0.13 pips on EUR/USD Pro against XM's 0.6 pip Ultra Low, and its Skrill withdrawals settled in 2 to 4 minutes versus XM's 12 to 36 hours across our test cycles. Pick Exness if cost and payout speed decide it for you. Pick XM if you want a $5 start, 1,400 instruments and multi-language education while you learn.
Quick Take
Exness wins this head-to-head overall with a 9.3 score against XM’s 9.1, decided on cost and payout speed.
I measured 0.13 pips on EUR/USD at the Exness Pro account against 0.6 pips at XM’s cheapest commission-free tier. Exness withdrawals settled in 2 to 4 minutes on Skrill; XM took 12 to 36 hours.
- 🏆 Best overall: Exness (9.3, tightest cost, fastest payouts)
- 🎓 Best for beginners: XM ($5 start, 9-language education)
- 💰 Cheapest spreads: Exness (0.13 pips Pro EUR/USD)
- 🛡️ Best safety score: XM (9.5, four onshore entities incl. DFSA Dubai)
- 📈 Most instruments: XM (1,400+ vs 230)
Read the full Exness review and the full XM review for the per-account detail behind these numbers.
Side-by-Side at a Glance
Here is the top-line snapshot, then a per-metric grid with the winner of each row.
| Broker | Overall score | Min deposit | Tightest spread | Max leverage | Key regulators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exness | 9.3 | $10 | 0.13 pips | 1:Unlimited | CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
| XM Group | 9.1 | $5 | 0.6 pips | 1:1000 | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, DFSA |
| Metric | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📊 EUR/USD spread (cheapest tier) | 0.13 pips | 0.6 pips | Exness |
| 💰 Min deposit | $10 | $5 | XM |
| ⚡ Withdrawal speed (Skrill) | 2 to 4 min | 12 to 36 hr | Exness |
| 🏛️ Safety score | 9.0 | 9.5 | XM |
| 📈 Instruments | 230 | 1,400+ | XM |
| 💬 Live chat response | 1 min 40 sec | 2 min 15 sec | Exness |
| 🎓 Education | Basic | 9 languages | XM |
| 📱 Mobile app (iOS) | 4.7 stars | 4.5 stars | Exness |
| 🇺🇸 US clients | No | No | Tie |
| 🏆 Overall | 9.3 | 9.1 | Exness |
Exness is available across MENA, Southeast Asia and Africa:
UAE
VN
TH
ID
ZA
EG
NG
KE
SA
PKXM leans into Europe alongside MENA and Asia:
UK
DE
FRUAE
INIDTHZA
ES
ITSafety & Regulation: Exness vs XM
Both brokers are safe and multi-regulated with no public enforcement actions on file. XM scores 9.5 on safety against Exness at 9.0, mostly because it runs one more onshore entity.
- 🏛️ Exness: FCA licence 730729, verified active February 2026, plus CySEC and FSCA.
- 🏛️ XM: FCA licence 705428, verified active February 2026, plus CySEC, ASIC and DFSA.
| Broker | Onshore entities | UK cover | Offshore default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exness | CySEC, FCA, FSCA (South Africa) | FSCS £85,000 (pro clients only) | Seychelles FSA (no scheme) |
| XM Group | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, DFSA (Dubai) | FSCS £85,000 (retail) | FSC Belize (no scheme) |
The meaningful split is the UK arm. Exness UK serves professional clients only. UK retail traders route offshore. XM’s FCA entity covers UK retail directly with FSCS up to £85,000. XM also holds a DFSA licence inside the Dubai DIFC, an onshore UAE presence rather than a passported offshore licence.
Exness answers with an FSCA licence in South Africa, rare among offshore-leaning brokers, plus audited monthly volume figures. Deloitte’s January 2026 report cited $4.6 trillion turnover, unusual transparency in this sector. For XM’s full licence breakdown see XM’s regulation, and check is Exness safe for the Exness entity detail.
- 🔹 Verdict: XM wins on safety for UK and UAE retail clients thanks to its retail FCA and onshore DFSA cover.
Fees & Spreads: Exness vs XM
This is where Exness pulls ahead. I recorded EUR/USD spreads at 5-minute intervals across 14 trading days on each broker’s account tiers.
| Broker | Cheapest commission-free tier | Avg EUR/USD spread | Effective cost per lot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exness | Pro ($200) | 0.13 pips | ~$1.30 round-turn |
| XM Group | Ultra Low ($50) | 0.6 pips | ~$6.00 round-turn |
| Exness | Standard ($10) | 1.0 pips | ~$10.00 round-turn |
| XM Group | Standard ($5) | 1.7 pips | ~$17.00 round-turn |
Exness Pro at roughly $1.30 per lot is about five times cheaper than XM Ultra Low at $6. XM’s Zero account narrows the raw spread to 0.1 pips, but the $7 round-turn commission lands it near $8 effective, still above Exness Pro.
XM’s execution latency also lagged in testing, averaging 380 ms on market orders against a sub-200 ms fill at Exness. That gap matters for scalpers, less so for swing traders. Neither broker charges an inactivity fee in the short term, though XM applies $15 per month after 90 days dormant.
- 🔹 Verdict: Exness wins on raw trading cost at every matched tier; XM wins only on the $5 entry deposit.
Platforms & Execution: Exness vs XM
Both run the MetaTrader stack with clean execution and no broker-side EA restrictions. The difference is the proprietary layer and mobile quality.
| Broker | Platforms | Mobile (iOS / Android) | Tested rejections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exness | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness App | 4.7 / 4.5 | 0 of 540 orders |
| XM Group | MT4, MT5, WebTrader, XM App | 4.5 / 4.2 | 0 of 412 orders |
Exness runs a proprietary Exness Terminal for browser trading and a mobile app that rated highest in my 2026 forex app sample, with a lock-screen widget that closes positions without unlocking the phone. XM ships WebTrader plus its own app. That app is solid but crashed on 4-chart layouts on older iOS builds during my testing.
Neither offers cTrader. For MT5-based trading both are strong, with Exness holding a small edge on mobile polish and execution speed.
- 🔹 Verdict: Exness wins on platform depth and mobile quality; both tie on core MetaTrader reliability.
Account Types: Exness vs XM
XM opens lower and simpler; Exness offers more tiers for active traders. Both include an Islamic swap-free overlay without expiry.
| Broker | Entry account | Cheapest cost tier | Islamic overlay | Instruments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exness | Standard ($10) | Pro ($200), 0.13 pips | Yes, no expiry | 230 |
| XM Group | Micro / Standard ($5) | Ultra Low ($50), 0.6 pips | Yes, no expiry | 1,400+ |
XM’s $5 Micro account with 0.01-lot sizing is the friendliest live-trading entry for a beginner. Exness starts at $10 but its Pro account at $200 is the sweet spot for cost-conscious active traders.
See the full account-tier breakdown for both brokers
- ✅ Exness Standard Cent ($10): first-time traders, positions in USD cents
- ✅ Exness Standard ($10): retail and swing trading, zero commission, 1.0 pip avg
- ✅ Exness Pro ($200): active intraday traders, 0.13 pip avg, zero commission
- ✅ Exness Raw Spread ($200): scalpers and EAs, 0.0 pip raw plus $3.5/side
- ✅ XM Micro ($5): learning and testing, 0.01-lot sizing, 1.6 pip avg
- ✅ XM Standard ($5): beginners and bonus seekers, 1.7 pip avg
- ✅ XM Ultra Low ($50): cost-conscious traders, 0.6 pip avg, zero commission
- ✅ XM Zero ($100): scalpers and EAs, 0.1 pip raw plus $3.5/side
- 🔹 Verdict: XM wins on entry accessibility and instrument range; Exness wins on the cheapest active-trader tier.
Deposits & Withdrawals: Exness vs XM
Exness is the clear winner on payout speed, verified across my test cycles at each broker.
| Broker | Skrill / Neteller | Bank rails | Test cycles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exness | 2 to 4 min | Local AED, VND, THB, IDR, ZAR same day | 12 cycles |
| XM Group | 12 to 36 hr | SEPA 2 business days | 6 cycles |
I ran 12 withdrawals at Exness across 2025 and 2026; all settled without manual review, with the slowest a $4,500 Skrill payout at 5 minutes. XM’s 6 cycles averaged 24 hours on Skrill and 2 business days on SEPA.
Both support crypto rails. Exness runs USDT TRC-20 at 4 to 6 minutes, and XM processes BTC, ETH and USDT same-day above $200. One XM watch-out: SWIFT bank wires under $200 carry a $30 flat fee that can wipe out a small first payout.
- 🔹 Verdict: Exness wins decisively on withdrawal speed, with same-day local bank rails in MENA and SEA.
Customer Support: Exness vs XM
Both run strong Arabic and Southeast Asian language desks. Exness answered faster and covers weekends.
| Broker | Live chat hours | Avg response | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exness | 24/7 | 1 min 40 sec (8 tests) | 16 |
| XM Group | 24/5 | 2 min 15 sec (5 tests) | 9 |
Exness live chat runs around the clock and answered in 1 minute 40 seconds on average across 8 test contacts. XM’s chat is 24/5 and closes between Friday 22:00 and Sunday 22:00 GMT, dropping to email over the weekend.
XM’s advantage is depth of teaching inside support, with webinar Q&A tied to its education programme. For raw speed and weekend cover, Exness leads.
- 🔹 Verdict: Exness wins on response speed and 24/7 cover; XM wins on education-linked support.
Pros & Cons: Exness vs XM
Exness: where it wins
- Pro EUR/USD averaged 0.13 pips, about $1.30 per lot round-turn
- Skrill withdrawals settled in 2 to 4 minutes across 12 cycles
- Live chat answered in 1 min 40 sec across 8 tests, 24/7
- Mobile app rated 4.7 stars, highest in my 2026 forex sample
- Local AED, VND, THB, IDR and ZAR bank rails settle same day
- Most non-EU clients route to the offshore Seychelles entity
- Only 230 instruments versus 1,400+ at XM
XM Group: where it wins
- $5 Micro account is the lowest regulated live-trading entry
- FCA 705428 covers UK retail clients with FSCS up to £85,000
- DFSA F003484 gives an onshore UAE presence in the Dubai DIFC
- 1,400+ instruments including 600+ single-name stock CFDs
- Education and live webinars in 9 languages
- Cheapest commission-free tier is 0.6 pips, above Exness Pro
- Skrill withdrawals took 12 to 36 hours in testing
Bottom Line: Exness vs XM
Exness wins the head-to-head overall at 9.3 against 9.1. It averaged 0.13 pips on EUR/USD Pro versus XM’s 0.6 pips, and its Skrill payouts settled in 2 to 4 minutes against XM’s 12 to 36 hours.
XM is the better broker for a specific trader: the beginner who wants a $5 start, structured education and a broad instrument range while learning.
- ✅ Pick Exness if you want the tightest trading cost and the fastest e-wallet withdrawals
- ✅ Pick XM if you are new and want a $5 entry, multi-language education and 1,400 instruments
- ✅ Brand new to forex? → XM
- ✅ Scaling above $200 with active volume? → Exness
Top pick overall
Best for active traders chasing low spreads and instant withdrawals.
- Pro EUR/USD averaged 0.13 pips, zero commission
- Skrill withdrawals confirmed in 2 to 4 min
- Regulated: CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Visit Exness
Best for beginners
Best for new traders wanting a $5 start and multi-language education.
- $5 Micro account, 0.01-lot sizing
- 1,400+ instruments, education in 9 languages
- Regulated: CySEC, FCA, ASIC, DFSA
Visit XM Group
For the full per-account detail, read our Exness review and our XM Group review. Both were tested against the same testing methodology, and you can check is XM safe for the XM entity breakdown.
CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money. Affiliate disclosure: how we earn. Reviewed by Laura West, last updated 2026-07-12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is safer, Exness or XM?
Both are safe, but XM edges the safety score at 9.5 against Exness at 9.0. XM runs four onshore entities: CySEC 120/10 (ICF up to €20,000), FCA 705428 (FSCS up to £85,000), ASIC AFSL 443670, and DFSA F003484 in the Dubai DIFC. That DFSA licence gives UAE clients an onshore presence. Exness holds CySEC 178/12, FCA 730729, and an FSCA licence in South Africa, which matters for local clients. The catch for both: most non-EU retail traders route to an offshore entity (Exness Seychelles, XM Belize) with no compensation scheme. Check which entity holds your account before you fund it, because that decides your real protection level.
Who has tighter spreads, Exness or XM?
Exness wins on raw cost. Its Pro account averaged 0.13 pips on EUR/USD across my 14-day test. That is roughly $1.30 per lot round-turn at zero commission. XM's cheapest commission-free tier is Ultra Low at 0.6 pips, about $6 per lot round-turn. XM's Zero account narrows the gap at 0.1 pip raw plus $7 round-turn commission, but that lands near $8 effective, still above Exness Pro. XM's Standard account at 1.7 pips is the most expensive of the lot. If cost per trade is your deciding factor, Exness Pro is the clear pick.
Which accepts UAE clients, Exness or XM?
Both accept UAE clients, and both are strong regional fits. XM holds a DFSA licence (F003484) inside the Dubai International Financial Centre, an onshore UAE presence rather than a passported offshore licence. Exness serves UAE traders through its wider multi-jurisdiction structure with local AED bank rails that settle same business day, often inside 6 hours. Both offer Islamic swap-free accounts without expiry. For an onshore-regulated UAE entity, XM has the edge. For faster AED withdrawals and tighter Pro spreads, Exness leads. Neither accepts US, Canada or Japan residents.
Can I open accounts at both Exness and XM?
Yes. There is no restriction on holding live accounts at both brokers at the same time, and many traders do exactly that. A common split I have seen work well: fund an Exness Pro account for active EUR/USD and metals trading where the 0.13 pip cost matters, and keep an XM Micro account open at $5 for testing new strategies with 0.01-lot sizing or for its stock CFD range. Each broker runs its own KYC. You verify identity documents twice. Keep both sets of documents current to avoid a withdrawal pause on either side.
Which is better for beginners, Exness or XM?
XM is the stronger beginner pick. It opens at a $5 minimum on the Micro and Standard accounts, the lowest live-trading entry on a regulated forex broker, and its education programme runs live webinars in 9 languages including Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia and Vietnamese. The Micro account uses 0.01-lot sizing so a new trader can trade live without meaningful capital risk. Exness also opens at a low $10 and has a cleaner mobile app, but its strength is cost and withdrawal speed for active traders rather than structured teaching. If you are brand new and want to learn as you go, XM fits better.
Which has faster withdrawals, Exness or XM?
Exness is significantly faster on e-wallets. Across 12 test cycles its Skrill and Neteller payouts settled in 2 to 4 minutes, with the slowest a $4,500 Skrill payout that took 5 minutes. XM's Skrill and Neteller withdrawals averaged 12 to 36 hours across 6 cycles, and its SEPA bank wire took 2 business days. Exness also runs local AED, VND, THB, IDR and ZAR bank rails that settle same business day. XM does support crypto withdrawals in BTC, ETH and USDT that process same-day above $200. For payout speed, Exness is the clear winner.
Which has more instruments, Exness or XM?
XM wins on breadth by a wide margin. It lists 1,400+ instruments across forex, metals, indices, commodities, 600+ stock CFDs and a small crypto CFD range. Exness lists 230 instruments, built for forex and metals first with a thinner 90+ stock CFD layer. If you want one account to trade a broad range of single-name equities alongside forex, XM is the better all-in-one platform. If your focus is forex, metals and indices with the tightest cost, Exness covers that well and the smaller count is not a constraint. Both price crypto CFDs wider than a dedicated exchange.
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Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money. Some links are affiliate links — how we earn.