Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italian traders looking to enter the forex market in 2026, choosing between Exness and FXTM is a critical decision. Both brokers are well-established internationally, but they serve Italian retail traders differently. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, stands out for its ultra-low spreads, lightning-fast withdrawals, and support for local payment methods like SEPA and PostePay. FXTM, rated 4.3/5, offers robust educational resources and a user-friendly platform, but its costs are slightly higher. Given the Italian trading environment shaped by CONSOB regulations and ESMA leverage limits, traders need a broker that balances cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and local payment convenience. This comparison dives deep into spreads, platforms, regulation, and payment options to help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading style in Italy.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Italian traders, Exness clearly outperforms FXTM. Exness offers raw spread accounts with spreads from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD, while FXTM's Advantage account starts at 0.5 pips. For high-volume traders, this difference can translate into substantial savings over time. Exness also charges low commissions on raw accounts (typically $3.5 per lot round turn), whereas FXTM's commissions are slightly higher. Additionally, Exness has no hidden fees on deposits via SEPA or PostePay, while FXTM may impose small charges on certain payment methods. Italian traders who trade frequently should prioritize Exness for its cost efficiency.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Italian traders. Exness also provides its proprietary WebTerminal for browser-based trading, which is convenient for traders without a VPN. FXTM offers a more customized experience with FXTM Trader app and advanced charting tools. For Italian traders who value simplicity and speed, Exness's WebTerminal is a plus. However, FXTM's platform ecosystem is more educational, with integrated learning materials. Ultimately, both platforms are reliable, but Exness edges ahead with faster execution and lower latency for Italian servers.
| 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 |
Execution quality is a key differentiator for Italian traders. Exness boasts an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds, with no requotes on market orders. FXTM's execution speed is slightly slower at around 0.3 seconds, but still reliable. Exness uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with straight-through processing (STP), ensuring transparency. FXTM also uses STP but may experience slippage during volatile markets. For Italian traders who scalp or trade news, Exness's faster execution and lower slippage make it the preferred choice.
| Safety Factor | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Italian traders must navigate strict ESMA and CONSOB regulations. Exness is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSC (Mauritius), while FXTM holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, and FSCA (South Africa). Neither broker is directly regulated by CONSOB, but both comply with ESMA rules, including leverage limits of 1:30 for major forex pairs and negative balance protection. For Italian traders, this means both brokers offer a safe trading environment with segregated client funds. Exness's FCA regulation provides an extra layer of trust, while FXTM's CySEC license ensures adherence to EU standards. Always verify the entity you trade with to ensure compliance with Italian laws.
| 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. |
Italian traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. Exness supports SEPA bank transfers, standard bank transfers, and PostePay, making it easy for local traders to fund accounts. Deposits via SEPA and PostePay are typically instant and free of charge. Exness also offers credit/debit cards and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours, often instantly for e-wallets. FXTM similarly supports SEPA, bank transfers, and PostePay, but withdrawal times can take 1-3 business days for bank transfers. Exness's faster withdrawal processing gives it an edge for Italian traders who need quick access to funds. Both brokers have no deposit fees, but FXTM may charge for certain withdrawal methods.
| 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 |
Both Exness and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Italian Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. Exness provides swap-free accounts on standard and raw spread accounts without any additional fees. FXTM offers Islamic accounts on Micro, Advantage, and Advantage Plus accounts, also free of extra charges. However, Exness's Islamic accounts are more flexible, allowing traders to keep positions open indefinitely without swap charges. Italian traders should note that both brokers require a declaration of faith or proof of Muslim identity to open these accounts. Exness's broader availability of swap-free accounts across account types makes it a slightly better choice for Italian Islamic traders.
| 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 |
Customer support is crucial for Italian traders. Exness offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with Italian language assistance available. FXTM also provides 24/5 support in Italian, with live chat and email options. Exness's round-the-clock availability is a clear advantage for traders who trade outside regular European hours. Response times are generally fast for both brokers, but Exness's support team is known for resolving issues promptly. Italian traders can expect friendly and knowledgeable assistance from both, but Exness's 24/7 service gives it the edge.
| 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 Italian traders in 2026, Exness is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating compared to FXTM's 4.3/5. Exness excels in cost efficiency, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and instant withdrawals via SEPA and PostePay. Its 24/7 support in Italian and flexible Islamic accounts further cater to local needs. While FXTM is a solid choice for beginners with its educational tools and lower minimum deposit, Exness's superior trading conditions and local payment compatibility make it the better option for most Italian retail traders. Considering CONSOB regulations and ESMA compliance, both brokers are safe, but Exness's overall package is hard to beat for Italian traders seeking value and speed.