Brokers Profile
Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/27/2026

Exness vs Phillip Nova: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Choosing between Exness and Phillip Nova comes down to a trade-off between cost efficiency and accessibility. Exness delivers tighter spreads, higher leverage, and broader regulation, while Phillip Nova offers a zero-deposit entry point ideal for cautious beginners.

OVERALL WINNER
E

Exness

3.8 / 5Score: 3 / 5

Exness delivers razor-thin spreads and sky-high leverage for traders who want institutional-grade execution without institutional-sized capital.

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

Phillip Nova

3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 5

Phillip Nova pairs a zero minimum deposit with Singapore's trusted MAS oversight, making it a low-barrier gateway for cautious beginners.

Min deposit
$0
Max leverage
1:20
Spread from
0.6 pips
Regulators
MAS
Overall Winner
Exness
Best for Beginners
Phillip Nova
Lowest Fees
Exness
Top Regulation
Exness

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature
E
Exness
PN
Phillip Nova
Overview
Rating3.8 / 53.4 / 5
Founded20082005
HeadquartersLimassol, CyprusSingapore
RegulationFCA, CySEC, FSCAMAS
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit$10$0
Spreads From0.1 pips0.6 pips
Commission$3.5/lotNone
Max Leverage1:20001:20
Platforms & Markets
Trading PlatformsMT4, MT5, Proprietary MobileProprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, POEMS
Markets OfferedForex, Cfd, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, CommoditiesForex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Trading & non-trading fees

Min Deposit

Exness

$10

Phillip Nova

$0

Spreads From

Exness

0.1 pips

Phillip Nova

0.6 pips

Commission

Exness

$3.5/lot

Phillip Nova

None

Deposit Fees

Exness

None

Phillip Nova

None

Withdrawal Fees

Exness

None

Phillip Nova

None

Pros & cons

E

Exness

Pros

  • Consistently tighter spreads starting from 0.1 pips reduce trading costs over time
  • Backed by three respected regulators (FCA, CySEC, FSCA) for added client protection
  • Extremely high leverage ceiling of 1:2000 suits aggressive trading strategies
  • Supports the industry-standard MT4 and MT5 platforms most traders already know
  • Low barrier to entry with just a $10 minimum deposit
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees on standard payment methods
  • Broad market access covering six major asset classes

Cons

  • Charges a $3.5 per lot commission on certain account types unlike some competitors
  • High leverage of 1:2000 can amplify losses for inexperienced traders
  • Proprietary platform options are more limited compared to third-party alternatives
  • Newer entity (founded 2008) compared to some legacy institutional brokers
  • Regulatory footprint, while solid, doesn't include a top-tier ASIC or FINRA licence in this comparison
PN

Phillip Nova

Pros

  • No minimum deposit makes it exceptionally accessible for new traders
  • Commission-free trading simplifies cost calculations for beginners
  • Long operating history since 2005 builds a track record of stability
  • Single-regulator oversight from MAS is well-respected in the Asia-Pacific region
  • No deposit or withdrawal fees on standard transactions
  • Proprietary POEMS platform offers an integrated trading experience

Cons

  • Wider spreads from 0.6 pips increase cost per trade versus competitors
  • Maximum leverage capped at just 1:20, limiting capital efficiency
  • Lacks support for popular third-party platforms like MT4 or MT5
  • Single regulatory licence offers less redundancy than multi-jurisdictional brokers
  • Smaller overall product ecosystem compared to larger global brokers

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Overall winner Exness
Lowest fees Exness
Best regulation Exness
Better for beginners Phillip Nova

Exness is our recommended pick overall, scoring 3.8/5 versus Phillip Nova's 3.4/5 on our independent rating scale. Exness wins decisively on trading costs with spreads from 0.1 pips versus 0.6 pips, and offers far higher leverage at 1:2000 versus 1:20. Phillip Nova counters with a $0 minimum deposit and commission-free trading, making it a reasonable pick for absolute beginners with minimal starting capital. For the majority of active traders, however, Exness's tighter spreads, broader regulatory coverage, and wider platform selection make it the stronger all-around choice.

Regulation & Safety

Exness operates under three respected regulators — the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA — giving traders overlapping layers of oversight across multiple jurisdictions. This multi-licence structure typically means stricter capital requirements, segregated client funds, and more avenues for dispute resolution.

Phillip Nova, in contrast, is regulated solely by Singapore's Monetary Authority (MAS), a well-regarded regulator known for strict enforcement standards within the Asia-Pacific region. While a single licence offers less redundancy than three, MAS oversight is still considered tier-1 grade.

Both brokers carry equivalent tier-1 regulatory credibility overall, but Exness's broader jurisdictional spread gives it a slight edge for traders who value multi-region regulatory backing.

Fees, Spreads & Commissions

Cost is where Exness pulls ahead most clearly. Spreads start from just 0.1 pips, compared to Phillip Nova's 0.6 pips minimum — a meaningful difference for high-frequency or high-volume traders.

Exness does apply a $3.5 per lot commission on certain account types, whereas Phillip Nova charges no per-trade commission at all. This means Phillip Nova's true cost structure may actually be competitive for lower-volume traders despite its wider headline spread.

Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which keeps account funding and cash-out simple on both sides. Ultimately, active traders running frequent trades will likely save more with Exness's tighter spreads, even accounting for its commission.

Minimum Deposit & Accessibility

Phillip Nova wins outright on accessibility with a $0 minimum deposit, removing any upfront capital barrier for new traders. This makes it an attractive on-ramp for those wanting to test live trading conditions without committing real capital upfront.

Exness isn't far behind, however, requiring just $10 to open an account — still a very low bar by industry standards. For most traders, this difference is negligible in practice, though it may matter for absolute beginners testing the waters.

Trading Platforms & Tools

Exness supports the industry-standard MT4 and MT5 platforms, both renowned for expert advisor support, custom indicators, and broad broker compatibility, alongside its own proprietary mobile app.

Phillip Nova instead relies on proprietary Web and Mobile platforms along with its POEMS trading suite. This offers an integrated, all-in-one experience but lacks the third-party ecosystem and algorithmic trading support that MT4/MT5 traders expect.

Traders who already use expert advisors, custom scripts, or cross-broker MT4/MT5 setups will find Exness's platform lineup far more flexible and familiar.

Leverage & Risk Profile

Exness offers leverage up to a striking 1:2000, appealing to experienced traders who want maximum capital efficiency on smaller account sizes. This level of leverage demands strong risk management discipline, as losses can be magnified just as quickly as gains.

Phillip Nova caps leverage at a much more conservative 1:20, in line with typical MAS regulatory guidance for retail derivatives trading. This lower ceiling naturally limits downside risk, making it arguably more suitable for cautious or newer traders.

Our Verdict

Exness is the stronger overall package, combining tighter spreads, higher leverage, broader regulation, and more flexible platform choice into a compelling offer for the majority of traders. Its $10 minimum deposit keeps it accessible while still delivering a more institutional-grade trading experience.

Phillip Nova remains a solid, low-barrier option for beginners who want to start with zero capital and avoid commissions altogether, backed by a trusted MAS licence. For traders prioritizing cost efficiency, leverage flexibility, and platform variety, though, Exness is our recommended choice in this comparison.

Verdict summary

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

Editor's verdict

Exness wins overall

Exness edges out Phillip Nova overall based on our expert rating score.

E

Highest Rated

Exness

3.8 / 5 / 5

Visit Exness

Category winners

  • Overall winner

    Based on overall expert rating (3.8/5).

    Exness
  • Better for beginners

    Stronger onboarding and educational resources.

    Phillip Nova
  • 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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