Brokers Profile
Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/27/2026

Exness vs Deriv: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Exness and Deriv both hold a 3.8/5 rating, making this a tight race between two well-regarded brokers. Exness leads on spreads and leverage, while Deriv wins on accessibility with its $5 minimum deposit.

E

Exness

3.8 / 5Score: 1 / 3

Exness delivers institutional-grade tight spreads and expansive leverage for traders who demand precision execution at scale.

Min deposit
$10
Max leverage
1:2000
Spread from
0.1 pips
Regulators
FCA, CySEC, FSCA
D

Deriv

3.8 / 5Score: 2 / 3

Deriv opens the markets to everyone with a $5 minimum deposit and a legacy stretching back to 1999.

Min deposit
$5
Max leverage
1:1000
Spread from
0.5 pips
Regulators
FCA, MAS
Best for Beginners
Exness
Lowest Fees
Exness
Top Regulation
Exness

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature
E
Exness
D
Deriv
Overview
Rating3.8 / 53.8 / 5
Founded20081999
HeadquartersLimassol, CyprusLimassol, Cyprus
RegulationFCA, CySEC, FSCAFCA, MAS
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit$10$5
Spreads From0.1 pips0.5 pips
Commission$3.5/lotNone
Max Leverage1:20001:1000
Platforms & Markets
Trading PlatformsMT4, MT5, Proprietary MobileMT5, Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile
Markets OfferedForex, Cfd, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, CommoditiesForex, Cfd, Crypto, Indices, Commodities

Trading & non-trading fees

Min Deposit

Exness

$10

Deriv

$5

Spreads From

Exness

0.1 pips

Deriv

0.5 pips

Commission

Exness

$3.5/lot

Deriv

None

Deposit Fees

Exness

None

Deriv

None

Withdrawal Fees

Exness

None

Deriv

None

Pros & cons

E

Exness

Pros

  • Industry-leading spreads from just 0.1 pips reduce cost-per-trade for high-frequency strategies
  • Leverage ceiling of 1:2000 gives experienced traders significant capital efficiency
  • Coverage across three respected regulators (FCA, CySEC, FSCA) adds layers of client protection
  • Broadest market access of the two, spanning six distinct asset classes
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees keep account funding transparent
  • Dual MetaTrader support (MT4 and MT5) suits both legacy and modern strategy builds
  • Established since 2008 with a long operational track record

Cons

  • $10 minimum deposit is still higher than Deriv's $5 entry point
  • Flat $3.5 per lot commission applies on certain account types, adding to cost calculations
  • Extremely high leverage (1:2000) can amplify losses for inexperienced traders
  • No dedicated proprietary web platform, relying mainly on MetaTrader infrastructure
  • Product range excludes standalone stock CFDs in some regional entities
D

Deriv

Pros

  • Extremely low $5 minimum deposit removes barriers for new traders
  • No per-trade commission simplifies cost forecasting for casual traders
  • Over two decades of operating history since 1999 builds brand familiarity
  • Browser-based proprietary web platform requires no software installation
  • Regulated by two respected authorities, FCA and MAS
  • Zero deposit and withdrawal fees across supported payment channels

Cons

  • Wider spreads from 0.5 pips increase cost for frequent, high-volume traders
  • Lower maximum leverage of 1:1000 compared to Exness's 1:2000 ceiling
  • Narrower regulatory footprint with only two licences versus three at Exness
  • No MT4 support, which may deter traders reliant on legacy expert advisors
  • Slightly narrower market range, excluding standalone stock CFDs

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Lowest fees Exness
Best regulation Exness
Better for beginners Exness

Exness and Deriv both earn an identical 3.8 out of 5 on our rating scale, making this one of the closest matchups in our reviews. Exness pulls ahead on spreads, leverage, and regulatory breadth, while Deriv counters with a lower minimum deposit and zero-commission pricing. Overall, Exness is the stronger all-round choice for most traders, though Deriv remains an excellent entry point for beginners with limited starting capital.

Regulation & Safety

Exness operates under three regulatory licences — the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA — giving it a broader compliance footprint than Deriv, which holds licences from the FCA and MAS.

Both brokers are headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, a jurisdiction known for hosting well-regulated retail brokerages.

For traders prioritizing maximum oversight, Exness's three-regulator structure provides a marginally stronger safety net, though Deriv's dual licensing remains solid and credible.

Fees, Spreads & Commissions

Exness advertises spreads from 0.1 pips, considerably tighter than Deriv's starting point of 0.5 pips, making it attractive for scalpers and high-frequency traders.

However, Exness applies a $3.5 per lot commission on certain account types, while Deriv charges no per-trade commission whatsoever.

Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, so the real cost differentiation lies in spreads and commission structures rather than account funding charges.

Traders should calculate total cost per trade — spread plus commission — based on their typical volume to determine which pricing model suits them best.

Minimum Deposit & Accessibility

Deriv's $5 minimum deposit is significantly more accessible than Exness's $10 requirement, positioning Deriv as an easier on-ramp for beginners or those testing strategies with minimal capital.

While the $5 gap may seem small, it reflects Deriv's broader positioning as a platform welcoming newer traders into the markets.

Exness's slightly higher threshold is still modest by industry standards and unlikely to deter most serious traders.

Trading Platforms & Tools

Exness supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and a proprietary mobile app, making it a strong fit for traders who rely on established MT4 expert advisors and custom indicators.

Deriv instead pairs MetaTrader 5 with its own proprietary web platform and mobile app, emphasizing browser-based accessibility without requiring software downloads.

Traders who value legacy automation tools may lean toward Exness, while those who prefer streamlined, no-install web trading may find Deriv's setup more convenient.

Leverage & Market Access

Exness offers leverage up to 1:2000, doubling Deriv's maximum of 1:1000, giving experienced traders greater capital efficiency at the cost of increased risk exposure.

On market range, Exness covers six asset classes including forex, CFDs, crypto, stocks, indices, and commodities, while Deriv covers five, notably excluding standalone stocks.

Traders seeking the widest possible market diversification within a single account will find Exness marginally more comprehensive.

Our Verdict

With both brokers tied at 3.8 out of 5, the decision ultimately comes down to individual priorities rather than a clear overall winner.

Exness stands out for tighter spreads, higher leverage, broader regulation, and wider market access — making it the stronger all-round choice for most active traders.

Deriv remains highly competitive for beginners thanks to its $5 minimum deposit, zero-commission model, and long-standing operational history since 1999.

Ultimately, cost-focused scalpers and multi-asset traders should lean toward Exness, while budget-conscious beginners may find Deriv's low barrier to entry more appealing.

Verdict summary

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

Editor's verdict

It's a tie

Exness and Deriv are evenly matched in our ratings — your best choice depends on your specific trading style and platform preference.

Visit Exness

Category winners

  • Overall winner

    Based on overall expert rating (3.8/5).

    Tie
  • Better for beginners

    Stronger onboarding and educational resources.

    Exness
  • Lower trading costs

    More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.

    Exness
  • Stronger regulation

    Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.

    Exness

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.

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