Exness vs XM — which is better?

Pepperstone vs Exness — which is better?

For EU, EEA and UK traders the comparison is settled by availability: Pepperstone onboards them under CySEC/FCA regulation (EU/EEA via CySEC, UK via FCA), while Exness closed onboarding to those residents in 2019. Outside the EU/UK, both are top-tier ECN brokers with 0.0-pip raw spreads — Exness adds instant 24/7 withdrawals and more account types, Pepperstone keeps a zero minimum deposit and stronger multi-regulator coverage.

Is Exness a safe broker?

Exness scores 9.0/10 on regulation in our assessment, but the verdict is conditional on where you live: it does not accept EU, EEA or UK retail clients, having closed onboarding to them in 2019. Where it does onboard, clients contract with its Seychelles FSA entity (licence SD025) — outside ICF and FSCS compensation.

Is XM a safe broker?

Yes, XM is a safe broker for EU clients. Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, the EU entity, is regulated by CySEC under license 120/10. XM has over 10 million clients globally, maintains segregated client funds, is ICF-compensated up to EUR 20,000, and provides negative balance protection as mandated by ESMA.

Article: Can EU Residents Open an Exness Account? Status in 2026 (Short Answer: No)

Exness withdrew from EU/EEA and UK retail onboarding in 2019, so EU and UK residents cannot open an Exness account and EU investor protections — ICF up to EUR 20,000, ESMA leverage caps, negative balance protection — do not apply to them. EU-eligible alternatives include Pepperstone, IG, XM and Tickmill.