Exness
ThinkMarkets
Exness vs ThinkMarkets
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
Exness and ThinkMarkets are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Exness, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, is regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA and offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips with a minimum deposit of $1. ThinkMarkets, established in 2010 in London, UK, holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $0 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, ThinkMarkets scored 8.3/10 overall compared to Exness's 8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Exness holds its own with lower trading costs and smoother deposits & withdrawals, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
ThinkMarkets scores 8.3/10 overall vs 8/10 for Exness — a 0.3-point difference.
- 💵
ThinkMarkets requires just $0 to start, while Exness needs $1 — ThinkMarkets is 1x more accessible.
- 📈
ThinkMarkets offers 4,000+ instruments vs 300+ at Exness — a massive gap in market coverage.
- 🖥️
Exness runs on MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App, while ThinkMarkets uses MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader — different ecosystems for different trading styles.
- ⚡
The biggest gap is in Deposit & Withdrawal: Exness scores 9.5 vs 8.0 for ThinkMarkets — a 1.5-point difference.
Our Verdict
Exness
Score: 8.0/10 · Wins 2 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
- You prefer Exness's trading environment overall
ThinkMarkets
Score: 8.3/10 · Wins 6 categories- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- You need advanced trading platforms and tools
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
ThinkMarkets takes the lead with an overall score of 8.3/10 compared to 8/10, winning in 6 out of 8 scoring categories. ThinkMarkets stands out for better trading platforms and stronger regulation, while Exness fights back with lower trading costs and smoother deposits & withdrawals.
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, ThinkMarkets comes out ahead with a 8.3/10 overall rating, winning 6 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 9.0/10. ThinkMarkets holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Exness is not without merit — it scores 8/10 overall and excels in Deposit & Withdrawal (9.5/10), winning 2 categories. Traders who value lower trading costs or smoother deposits & withdrawals may find Exness the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full ThinkMarkets review and Exness review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
Exness wins by 0.5 points
ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points
ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points
ThinkMarkets wins by 1.0 points
ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points
ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points
Exness wins by 1.5 points
ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 ✓ |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $1 | $0 ✓ |
| Max Leverage | Unlimited | 1:500 |
| Spreads From | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App | MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, FSCA | ASIC, FCA, CySEC |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 2008 ✓ | 2010 |
| Markets | 300+ | 4,000+ ✓ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, Exness has the edge with a score of 8.5/10 versus 8/10 for ThinkMarkets. Exness offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips, while ThinkMarkets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Exness is $1, compared to $0 at ThinkMarkets. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.
Trading Platforms
ThinkMarkets scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for Exness. Exness provides MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App, while ThinkMarkets offers MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Exness is regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA (Tier 1), while ThinkMarkets holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC (Tier 1). Exness scores 8.5/10 and ThinkMarkets scores 9/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.
Education & Research
For learning resources, ThinkMarkets leads with 7.5/10 compared to 6.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Exness and ThinkMarkets both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.
Customer Support
Exness offers 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while ThinkMarkets provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.
Deposit & Withdrawal
Exness scores 9.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while ThinkMarkets scores 8/10. Exness accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin, Perfect Money, and ThinkMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Exness requires a minimum deposit of $1 versus $0 for ThinkMarkets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose Exness if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
- You prefer Exness's trading environment overall
Choose ThinkMarkets if you...
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- You need advanced trading platforms and tools
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exness better than ThinkMarkets?
ThinkMarkets scores higher overall (8.3/10 vs 8/10), winning 6 of 8 categories. However, Exness is stronger in lower trading costs and smoother deposits & withdrawals. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.
Which has lower fees, Exness or ThinkMarkets?
Exness scores higher for trading costs. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $1 minimum deposit, while ThinkMarkets starts from 0.0 pips with $0 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.
Is Exness safe to trade with?
Exness is regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA and scores 8.5/10 for regulation. ThinkMarkets is regulated by ASIC, FCA, CySEC with a score of 9/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.
Which has better trading platforms, Exness or ThinkMarkets?
ThinkMarkets scores 8.5/10 for platforms. Exness offers MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App, while ThinkMarkets provides MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.
What's the minimum deposit for Exness vs ThinkMarkets?
Exness requires a minimum deposit of $1, while ThinkMarkets requires $0. ThinkMarkets has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.
Ready to Start Trading?
Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.