Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Cyprus traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare Exness and FXTM, two of the most popular brokers in the region. Exness, with a score of 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads, flexible leverage, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a strong brand reputation, educational resources, and a user-friendly platform tailored to retail traders. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment. This comparison helps Cyprus traders decide which broker better suits their needs, whether they prioritize cost efficiency, platform features, or local payment convenience.
| Instrument | Exness | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 | Exness |
For Cyprus traders, trading costs are a key factor. Exness offers tighter spreads, starting from 0.0 pips on raw accounts, with a commission of $3.50 per lot. FXTM’s spreads start from 0.1 pips on ECN accounts with a commission of $2 per side. For high-volume traders, Exness provides better value, as the lower spreads reduce overall costs significantly. Both brokers have competitive swap rates, but Exness’s cost structure is generally more favorable for active traders in Cyprus.
| Account Type | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and FXTM offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Cyprus traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Exness also provides its own web platform for quick access, while FXTM offers the FXTM Trader app for mobile trading. Cyprus traders benefit from these platforms’ stability and speed, with Exness’s platform slightly more optimized for high-frequency trading due to its lower latency.
| Factor | Exness | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 hybrid execution model with average execution speeds under 0.1 seconds, ideal for Cyprus scalpers and high-frequency traders. FXTM offers ECN execution with speeds around 0.2 seconds. Exness’s faster execution reduces slippage and improves trade accuracy, making it the better choice for active traders.
| Safety Factor | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, which is a key advantage for Cyprus traders. Exness holds a CySEC license, ensuring compliance with European MiFID II standards, including negative balance protection and investor compensation. FXTM is also CySEC-regulated, offering similar protections. This regulation gives Cyprus traders confidence in fund security and dispute resolution, making both brokers safe choices for retail trading.
| Payment Method | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
Cyprus traders can easily deposit and withdraw funds using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both Exness and FXTM. Exness processes deposits instantly with no fees for most methods, while FXTM may take 1-2 business days for bank transfers. USDT TRC20 is a standout option for fast, low-cost transactions. Withdrawals are also efficient, with Exness typically processing within 24 hours and FXTM within 1-3 days. Both brokers support these local payment methods, making fund management convenient for Cyprus residents.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Cyprus Muslim traders, both Exness and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. Exness provides swap-free accounts on all account types without additional charges, while FXTM offers them on Standard and ECN accounts with a possible admin fee after a certain period. These accounts comply with Sharia law by eliminating interest-based swaps, making them suitable for traders in Cyprus who require ethical trading solutions.
| Support Feature | Exness | FXTM | 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 via live chat, email, and phone, with Greek language support available for Cyprus traders. FXTM also provides 24/5 support with a dedicated local phone number. Exness’s round-the-clock support gives it an edge for traders who need assistance outside standard hours.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For Cyprus traders, Exness is the clear winner due to its higher score (4.8/5), lower spreads, faster execution, and superior support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its regulation by the local financial regulator ensures safety, while its cost efficiency benefits active traders. FXTM remains a solid choice for beginners or those who prefer a more established brand with educational tools. However, for most retail traders in Cyprus, Exness offers better value and flexibility, making it the recommended broker in 2026.