Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore’s status as a global financial hub demands brokers that offer low costs, robust regulation, and localised payment methods. Exness and Forex.com are both well-known in the region, but they cater to different trader profiles. Exness, with a score of 4.8 out of 5, is a favourite among sophisticated investors for its tight spreads, instant withdrawals, and MAS-friendly setup. Forex.com, scoring 3.4 out of 5, has a stronger institutional presence but falls short on local payment integration and cost efficiency. This comparison examines how each broker performs specifically for Singapore traders using SGD, covering spreads, deposit methods like PayNow, bank transfers, and credit cards, as well as regulatory compliance under MAS guidelines. Understanding these differences helps Singapore traders choose the most suitable platform for their strategies.
| Instrument | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Forex.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Forex.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Forex.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Forex.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are critical, especially for high-volume strategies. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account with a commission of $3.50 per lot, while standard accounts start from 0.3 pips with no commission. Forex.com’s standard account spreads on EUR/USD hover around 1.0 pips, and its commission-based Raw account requires higher minimum deposits. Over 100 lots per month, Exness can save traders up to 50% on spreads compared to Forex.com, making it more cost-effective for active Singapore traders. Additionally, Exness has no hidden fees on deposits or withdrawals for SGD accounts.
| Account Type | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:50 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Singapore traders for their customisable charts and automated trading. Exness also provides its own WebTerminal and mobile app, optimised for fast execution. Forex.com offers TradingView integration and its proprietary web platform. For Singapore traders who need low latency and reliable connectivity to Asian servers, Exness’s data centres in Singapore and Japan offer a clear advantage, ensuring faster trade execution and less slippage during high-volatility sessions.
| Factor | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Exness uses a combination of STP and ECN execution models, achieving an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds on major pairs. It also offers a 99.9% execution rate with no requotes. Forex.com’s execution is reliable but slightly slower at about 0.3 seconds, and traders may encounter slippage during news events. For Singapore day traders who prioritise fast fills and tight spreads, Exness’s infrastructure is superior, especially when trading Asian sessions with high volatility.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Singapore traders. Exness is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and CySEC, but it does not hold a direct MAS license, although it adheres to MAS guidelines for marketing to Singapore residents. Forex.com is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and other top-tier bodies, but also lacks a direct MAS license. Both brokers segregate client funds and offer negative balance protection. For Singapore traders, Exness’s transparency and faster complaint resolution through its Singapore-based support team provide extra peace of mind compared to Forex.com’s more remote customer service.
| Payment Method | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
Exness leads in deposit and withdrawal convenience for Singapore traders. It supports PayNow, local bank transfers, and all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) with no fees. Deposits via PayNow settle instantly, and withdrawals are processed in minutes, often returning SGD to the same source. Forex.com also accepts PayNow and bank transfers, but withdrawal times range from 1-2 business days and may incur fees for international transfers. Credit card deposits at Forex.com are limited to certain card types and may attract cash advance fees. Overall, Exness offers a smoother local payment experience that aligns with Singapore’s fast digital payment habits.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Exness provides swap-free (Islamic) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders, allowing them to trade forex and CFDs without earning or paying interest. The account is available on both Standard and Zero accounts, with no extra fees beyond standard spreads. Forex.com also offers Islamic accounts, but they require manual activation and may restrict some instruments like indices or commodities to avoid swap charges. Exness’s Islamic accounts are more straightforward and can be opened via a simple request in the client area, making it a better choice for Singapore’s Muslim trading community.
| Support Feature | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness offers 24/7 multilingual customer support with a dedicated team for Singapore, reachable via live chat, email, and phone in English and Chinese. Forex.com also provides 24/5 support with live chat and phone, but its Asian support hours are limited, and response times can be slower during peak Singapore trading hours. For urgent issues like withdrawal or technical glitches, Exness’s round-the-clock support gives Singapore traders a clear edge.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Forex.com if you...
For Singapore traders, Exness is the clear winner with a 4.8 rating compared to Forex.com’s 3.4. Exness excels in all local-specific areas: lower spreads, instant PayNow and bank transfer support, faster execution through Asian servers, and no-fee withdrawals. Forex.com remains a solid option for those who prioritise brand stability and research, but its higher costs and slower local payment handling make it less attractive for sophisticated Singapore traders. If you trade actively in SGD and value efficiency, Exness is the better fit under MAS oversight. Always test both brokers with a demo account to see which suits your style.