AC
Aetos Capital
3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 4
Dual tier-1 regulation and leverage up to 1:500 make Aetos Capital the go-to for serious forex and CFD traders.
- Min deposit
- $50
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/19/2026
Aetos Capital vs LHV: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Aetos Capital and LHV both post a 3.4/5 rating in our proprietary research, making this one of the closer matchups we've reviewed. Aetos Capital edges ahead on regulatory strength and leverage, while LHV appeals to cost-conscious beginners with its $0 minimum deposit.
L
LHV
3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A $0 minimum deposit and zero commissions make LHV an inviting entry point for new and cost-conscious investors.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- Finantsinspektsioon, FCA
Overall Winner
Aetos Capital
Best for Beginners
LHV
Lowest Fees
Aetos Capital
Top Regulation
Aetos Capital
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | AC Aetos Capital | L LHV |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 2013 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Tallinn, Estonia |
| Regulation | ASIC, FCA | Finantsinspektsioon, FCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $50 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $3.5/lot | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5 | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, LHV Broker |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Crypto, Indices |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Aetos Capital
$50
LHV
$0
Spreads From
Aetos Capital
0 pips
LHV
0 pips
Commission
Aetos Capital
$3.5/lot
LHV
None
Deposit Fees
Aetos Capital
None
LHV
None
Withdrawal Fees
Aetos Capital
None
LHV
None
Pros & cons
AC
Aetos Capital
Pros
- Backed by two respected tier-1 regulators (ASIC and FCA)
- Higher leverage ceiling suits active and short-term traders
- Broader market coverage across five asset classes
- Zero fees on deposits and withdrawals
- Industry-standard MT4/MT5 platforms with wide tool compatibility
- Competitive spreads starting from 0 pips
Cons
- Charges a $3.5 per lot commission unlike some competitors
- Higher minimum deposit than LHV at $50
- Fewer proprietary platform options compared to LHV
- No dedicated stock or ETF investing focus
L
LHV
Pros
- No minimum deposit required to open an account
- Commission-free trading structure
- Long operating history since 1999 builds trust
- Wider proprietary platform selection with three options
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Reputable dual regulatory oversight
Cons
- Maximum leverage capped at just 1:5, far below industry norms
- Narrower market range with only four asset classes
- Lacks MetaTrader support favored by many active traders
- Regulation limited to one tier-1 body (FCA) alongside a smaller regulator
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Aetos Capital
Lowest fees Aetos Capital
Best regulation Aetos Capital
Better for beginners LHV
Aetos Capital is our top pick overall, scoring 3.43/5 against LHV's 3.36/5 in our independent rating system. The margin is narrow, but Aetos Capital's dual tier-1 regulation from ASIC and FCA, combined with higher leverage of up to 1:500, gives it the edge for active forex and CFD traders. LHV remains a strong alternative for beginners or stock-focused investors thanks to its $0 minimum deposit and long-standing 1999 heritage.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is one of the clearest differentiators in this matchup. Aetos Capital is overseen by both ASIC and the FCA, two of the most respected tier-1 regulators in the world, which typically means stricter capital adequacy rules and segregated client funds.
LHV, on the other hand, is regulated by Finantsinspektsioon (the Estonian financial supervisory authority) alongside the FCA. While this still offers a legitimate regulatory framework, ASIC's additional oversight gives Aetos Capital a slightly broader safety net for international traders.
For traders who prioritize regulatory redundancy and want their broker answerable to multiple major watchdogs, Aetos Capital is the stronger choice in this category.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, so on raw pricing headlines they appear evenly matched. The real difference emerges in commission structure: Aetos Capital charges $3.5 per lot traded, while LHV charges no per-trade commission at all.
This means high-frequency forex and CFD traders on Aetos Capital need to factor commission costs into their overall spread calculations, whereas LHV's zero-commission model may suit those trading less frequently or in larger, less leveraged positions.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome consistency across both platforms and removes a common hidden-cost concern for traders moving funds in and out of their accounts.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
LHV clearly wins on accessibility with a $0 minimum deposit requirement, removing any capital barrier to entry for new traders wanting to test the platform.
Aetos Capital requires a $50 minimum deposit, which is still relatively low by industry standards but represents a real difference for absolute beginners or those wanting to start with minimal risk capital.
If initial capital outlay is your primary concern, LHV is the more approachable option, though $50 is unlikely to be a significant barrier for most serious traders.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Aetos Capital runs on the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, giving traders access to a massive ecosystem of expert advisors, custom indicators, and familiar charting tools.
LHV instead offers a suite of three proprietary options: a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the dedicated LHV Broker platform, giving it a slight numerical edge in platform count.
Traders who value the flexibility and third-party tool support of MT4/MT5 will lean toward Aetos Capital, while those who prefer an integrated, broker-built ecosystem may find LHV's proprietary suite more cohesive.
Leverage & Market Access
Leverage is a decisive factor for active forex and CFD traders. Aetos Capital offers up to 1:500, dramatically higher than LHV's 1:5 maximum, making Aetos Capital far more suitable for leveraged short-term trading strategies.
Market breadth also favors Aetos Capital slightly, covering Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto across five asset classes, versus LHV's four: Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, and Indices.
LHV's lower leverage cap reflects a more conservative, investment-oriented positioning, which may actually appeal to long-term stock and ETF investors who have no interest in high-leverage speculation.
Our Verdict
This is a genuinely close contest, with both brokers separated by less than a tenth of a point in our overall rating. Aetos Capital's dual tier-1 regulation, higher leverage ceiling, and broader market access make it the stronger all-round pick for active traders.
LHV, however, is far from a runner-up in every sense — its $0 minimum deposit, commission-free structure, and 1999 founding date give it real appeal for beginners and long-term stock investors.
Ultimately, traders focused on forex and CFD speculation with leverage should lean toward Aetos Capital, while those prioritizing low-cost entry and equity investing may find LHV the more comfortable fit.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Aetos Capital wins overall
Aetos Capital edges out LHV overall based on our expert rating score.
AC
Highest Rated
Aetos Capital
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
Aetos CapitalBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
LHVLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Aetos CapitalStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Aetos Capital
Frequently asked questions
In our proprietary rating system, Aetos Capital scores slightly higher at 3.43/5 compared to LHV's 3.36/5. Aetos Capital's edge comes from stronger tier-1 regulation and higher leverage, though the two brokers are closely matched overall, so your ideal pick depends on your specific trading style and priorities.
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but Aetos Capital charges a $3.5 per lot commission while LHV charges no per-trade commission at all. Cost-conscious traders trading frequently in smaller sizes may find LHV's zero-commission model more economical.
Aetos Capital requires a minimum deposit of $50, while LHV has no minimum deposit requirement at all, making it the more accessible option for beginners with limited starting capital.
Aetos Capital is regulated by ASIC and the FCA, both considered tier-1 regulatory bodies with strict oversight standards. LHV is regulated by Finantsinspektsioon and the FCA, offering solid but slightly less redundant regulatory coverage.
Aetos Capital supports the widely used MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, popular for their automation and charting tools. LHV instead offers three proprietary platforms: a Web platform, a Mobile app, and the LHV Broker platform.
Aetos Capital offers significantly higher leverage of up to 1:500, compared to LHV's much more conservative cap of 1:5. Traders seeking leveraged forex or CFD exposure will find Aetos Capital far more suitable.
Yes, though LHV is generally considered friendlier for absolute beginners due to its $0 minimum deposit and commission-free structure. Aetos Capital's $50 minimum and per-lot commission are still beginner-accessible but require slightly more initial commitment.
Aetos Capital covers five asset classes: Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto. LHV covers four: Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, and Indices, making it more oriented toward traditional equity investing.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from holding accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across multiple platforms to access different markets, leverage levels, and trading tools depending on their strategy.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.