Is Exante a stronger overall broker than LHV?

Based on our independent rating system, Exante scores higher overall at 3.6/5 compared to LHV's 3.4/5. Exante's advantage stems from its broader market access, higher leverage ceiling, and transparent commission model, though LHV remains competitive for beginners due to its accessibility.

Which broker offers cheaper trading costs, Exante or LHV?

Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but their commission models differ significantly. Exante charges a flat $0.02 per lot commission, while LHV charges no per-trade commission at all, making LHV potentially cheaper for lower-frequency traders.

How much money do I need to open an account with Exante or LHV?

Exante requires a substantial minimum deposit of $10,000, positioning it toward serious, well-capitalized traders. LHV, on the other hand, has no minimum deposit requirement whatsoever, making it far more accessible to beginners with limited starting capital.

Are Exante and LHV both properly regulated and safe to use?

Yes, both brokers operate under tier-1 regulatory oversight. Exante is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, while LHV holds licenses from Finantsinspektsioon and the FCA, giving both platforms credible regulatory backing.

What trading platforms can I use with Exante compared to LHV?

Exante offers a Proprietary Web platform and Proprietary Mobile app. LHV provides three options: Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, and its dedicated LHV Broker platform, giving it slightly more platform variety.

Which broker provides higher leverage, Exante or LHV?

Exante offers significantly higher leverage of up to 1:30, while LHV caps its leverage at 1:5. Traders seeking greater capital efficiency on leveraged positions will find Exante's offering considerably more flexible.

Does Exante or LHV support forex and CFD trading?

Exante supports a broad range of markets including stocks, forex, CFDs, crypto, indices, and commodities. LHV's offering is narrower, covering stocks, ETFs, crypto, and indices, but notably excluding dedicated forex and CFD trading.

Is it possible to open accounts with both Exante and LHV?

Yes, there is nothing preventing you from holding accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across multiple platforms to take advantage of different market access, fee structures, and platform tools depending on their strategy.

Which broker has been in business longer, Exante or LHV?

LHV has the longer track record, founded in 1999 in Tallinn, Estonia. Exante was founded later in 2011 and is headquartered in Valletta, Malta, though it has still established a credible international presence over its operating history.

Which broker is better suited for beginner traders?

LHV is generally the better fit for beginners due to its $0 minimum deposit requirement and zero-commission trading structure. Exante's $10,000 minimum deposit makes it more appropriate for experienced, well-capitalized traders rather than those just starting out.

Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/2/2026

Exante vs LHV: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Exante and LHV both offer regulated multi-asset trading, but they serve very different traders. Exante edges ahead overall with tighter costs and broader market access, while LHV appeals to budget-conscious beginners.

OVERALL WINNER

Exante

3.6 / 5Score: 2 / 4

Exante delivers institutional-grade multi-asset access with tight commissions and higher leverage for serious capital.

Min deposit: $10000
Max leverage: 1:30
Spread from: 0 pips
Regulators: FCA, CySEC

LHV

3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 4

LHV offers a zero-minimum-deposit gateway to global markets, backed by more than two decades of Estonian banking heritage.

Min deposit: $0
Max leverage: 1:5
Spread from: 0 pips
Regulators: Finantsinspektsioon, FCA

Our #1 Pick Right Now: AvaTrade

Same category, top-tier regulation, and it's currently accepting new traders.

See What Makes It Different

Overall Winner

Exante

Best for Beginners

LHV

Lowest Fees

Exante

Top Regulation

Exante

Full comparison Fees & Accounts Pros & cons Verdict Summary FAQ

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature	E Exante	L LHV
Overview
Rating	3.6 / 5	3.4 / 5
Founded	2011	1999
Headquarters	Valletta, Malta	Tallinn, Estonia
Regulation	FCA, CySEC	Finantsinspektsioon, FCA
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit	$10000	$0
Spreads From	0 pips	0 pips
Commission	$0.02/lot	None
Max Leverage	1:30	1:5
Platforms & Markets
Trading Platforms	Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile	Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, LHV Broker
Markets Offered	Stocks, Forex, Cfd, Crypto, Indices, Commodities	Stocks, Etf, Crypto, Indices

Pros & cons

Exante

Pros

Higher overall rating at 3.6/5 in our independent evaluation
Broader market access with six distinct asset classes
Higher maximum leverage of 1:30 compared to competitors
Transparent low-cost commission structure at $0.02 per lot
Regulated by two respected tier-1 authorities, FCA and CySEC
No hidden deposit or withdrawal fees

Cons

Steep $10,000 minimum deposit puts it out of reach for many beginners
Only two proprietary platforms offered, with no third-party MetaTrader support
Leverage of 1:30 may feel limiting to traders used to higher-leverage CFD brokers
Newer company history compared to some long-established competitors

LHV

Pros

No minimum deposit makes it highly accessible for new traders
Commission-free trading structure
Long operating history dating back to 1999 builds institutional trust
Widest platform selection with three supported options
Regulated under both Finantsinspektsioon and FCA
No hidden deposit or withdrawal costs

Cons

Lower overall rating of 3.4/5 compared to Exante
Maximum leverage capped at just 1:5, limiting capital efficiency
Narrower market range with no dedicated forex or CFD offering
Fewer total asset classes available, covering only four categories

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Overall winner Exante

Lowest fees Exante

Best regulation Exante

Better for beginners LHV

Exante is our recommended pick in this comparison, earning a 3.6/5 overall rating versus LHV's 3.4/5. Exante's advantage comes from its wider market coverage, competitive commission structure, and higher leverage ceiling, making it the stronger all-around choice for active traders. LHV remains a compelling alternative for newer investors who want a $0 minimum deposit and don't need advanced leverage or a broad multi-asset offering.

Regulation & Safety

Both brokers operate under tier-1 regulatory oversight, which is reassuring for traders prioritizing capital security. Exante is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, two well-respected authorities known for strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules.

LHV, meanwhile, is licensed by Estonia's Finantsinspektsioon as well as the FCA, giving it a solid dual-jurisdiction footprint. Neither broker holds an edge in terms of raw regulatory count, but Exante's combination of FCA and CySEC is generally viewed as slightly more globally recognized among active multi-asset traders.

Ultimately, both platforms are safe choices from a compliance standpoint. Traders should still confirm which specific legal entity and jurisdiction will hold their account, as protections can vary by region.

Fees, Spreads & Commissions

On paper, both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, so the headline spread comparison is a wash. The real differentiator lies in the commission structure layered on top of those spreads.

Exante charges a transparent $0.02 per lot commission, which is competitive for a multi-asset brokerage offering stocks, forex, CFDs, crypto, indices, and commodities under one roof. LHV charges no per-trade commission at all, which can be more cost-effective for lower-frequency or buy-and-hold investors.

Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome relief for cost-conscious traders on both sides. For high-volume active traders, Exante's low flat commission combined with tight spreads often works out more favorably, while LHV's zero-commission model benefits occasional investors making fewer trades.

Minimum Deposit & Accessibility

This is where LHV pulls ahead significantly. LHV requires no minimum deposit at all, making it dramatically more accessible to beginners, students, or anyone testing the waters with a small amount of capital.

Exante, by contrast, requires a substantial $10,000 minimum deposit. This positions Exante firmly as a broker geared toward serious, well-capitalized traders and institutional-style investors rather than casual retail beginners.

If accessibility and low barrier to entry are your top priorities, LHV is the clear winner in this category. However, traders who can meet Exante's higher threshold gain access to a more robust multi-asset trading environment in return.

Leverage & Market Range

Exante offers considerably higher leverage, up to 1:30, compared to LHV's more conservative 1:5 cap. This makes Exante more appealing to traders who want greater capital efficiency, particularly in forex and CFD markets.

Market breadth also favors Exante, which supports six asset classes: stocks, forex, CFDs, crypto, indices, and commodities. LHV covers four categories — stocks, ETFs, crypto, and indices — but notably lacks dedicated forex and CFD offerings.

For traders who want a single account to access diverse global markets and use meaningful leverage, Exante's setup is the more versatile solution.

Trading Platforms & Tools

Exante provides its own proprietary web and mobile platforms, giving traders a streamlined, unified experience across devices. This is a lean but functional setup focused on multi-asset execution.

LHV goes a step further by offering three platform options: Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, and the dedicated LHV Broker platform. This gives LHV clients slightly more flexibility in how they choose to interact with the markets.

Neither broker offers popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 or 5, which may be a limitation for traders accustomed to those ecosystems. Platform choice ultimately comes down to whether you value Exante's streamlined multi-asset dashboard or LHV's broader in-house platform variety.

Company Background & Track Record

LHV has the longer operating history, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, giving it over two decades of established presence in the region. Exante was founded later, in 2011, and is based in Valletta, Malta.

While LHV's longevity may appeal to traders who value a lengthy track record, Exante has still built a credible international reputation over its 15-year operating history, particularly among multi-asset and institutional-style clients.

Neither company's age should be a deciding factor on its own, but it's a relevant data point for traders who weigh institutional heritage as part of their due diligence process.

Verdict summary

The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.

Editor's verdict

Exante wins overall

Exante edges out LHV overall based on our expert rating score.

Highest Rated

Exante

3.6 / 5 / 5

Category winners

Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.6/5).
Exante
Better for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
LHV
Lower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Exante
Stronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Exante

Frequently asked questions

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.