Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italian retail traders looking to trade forex, CFDs, and other financial instruments, choosing the right broker is crucial. Exness and Libertex are two well-known brokers available to Italian traders, but they cater to different needs. Exness, with a score of 4.8/5, is a global leader known for its ultra-tight spreads, high leverage, and fast execution. Libertex, scoring 3.7/5, is a European broker that offers a user-friendly platform with a focus on stock and ETF CFDs. In Italy, where CONSOB regulates forex and CFD trading, both brokers operate under CySEC regulation and are accessible to Italian residents. This comparison will help you understand which broker aligns better with your trading style, whether you prefer low-cost forex trading or a more diversified portfolio of CFDs. We'll cover trading costs, platforms, regulation, deposit methods including SEPA and PostePay, and more, all tailored to the Italian trading context.
| Instrument | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 | Libertex |
When comparing trading costs for Italian traders, Exness clearly outperforms Libertex. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account for major forex pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.5 per lot. In contrast, Libertex has spreads starting around 1.5 pips on the same pair, with no commission. For a typical Italian trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Exness can save hundreds of euros annually due to lower spreads. Additionally, Exness has no swap fees on certain instruments, while Libertex charges overnight financing. For active traders, the cost advantage of Exness is significant, especially when trading higher volumes.
| Account Type | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness offers the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are highly customizable and popular among Italian traders. These platforms provide advanced charting tools, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and a wide range of indicators. Libertex, on the other hand, uses its proprietary web-based and mobile platform, which is simpler and more intuitive but lacks the depth of MT4/MT5. For Italian traders who rely on automated strategies or prefer a professional trading environment, Exness is the better choice. Libertex's platform is suitable for beginners or those who want a straightforward trading experience without the complexity.
| Factor | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 is renowned for its fast execution speeds, with average order execution under 100 milliseconds, thanks to its advanced infrastructure and liquidity providers. This is crucial for Italian scalpers and day traders who rely on quick entries and exits. Libertex has decent execution speeds but is generally slower, with occasional slippage during volatile markets. For high-frequency traders, Exness offers a clear advantage. Italian traders using Expert Advisors or scalping strategies will find Exness's execution quality superior.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and Libertex are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which means they comply with European Union regulations, including MiFID II. For Italian traders, this is important because CONSOB recognizes CySEC regulation, allowing these brokers to offer services to Italian residents legally. Exness also holds additional licenses from the FCA (UK) and FSCA (South Africa), adding an extra layer of oversight. Libertex is regulated by CySEC and the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) in Bulgaria. Italian traders should be aware that while both brokers are regulated, Exness has a stronger track record of compliance and transparency, which is reflected in its higher trust score.
| Payment Method | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 business days |
Italian traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options with both brokers. Exness supports SEPA bank transfers, standard bank transfers, credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), PostePay, Skrill, Neteller, and local Italian bank transfers. Deposits via SEPA are typically processed within 1-2 business days, while PostePay and card deposits are instant. Withdrawals at Exness are processed instantly for most methods, with no fees charged by the broker. Libertex also offers SEPA, bank transfer, and credit/debit cards, but does not support PostePay or e-wallets like Skrill. Withdrawals at Libertex can take 1-3 business days. For Italian traders who value speed and variety, Exness is the clear winner, especially with its support for PostePay and instant withdrawals.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Italian Muslim traders who wish to trade in accordance with Sharia law. Exness provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Zero, and Raw Spread) upon request, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Libertex also offers Islamic accounts upon request, but the availability may be limited to certain account types and instruments. Italian traders should contact customer support to activate the account and confirm which instruments are eligible for swap-free trading. Exness has a more straightforward process and wider coverage, making it the preferred choice for Islamic account holders in Italy.
| Support Feature | Exness | Libertex | 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 dedicated Italian-speaking agents available. Their support team is known for quick response times and helpful assistance. Libertex provides support during business hours (CET) via live chat, email, and phone, with Italian language support available. However, response times can be slower, especially during peak hours. For Italian traders who need round-the-clock assistance, Exness is the better option, while Libertex is sufficient for those who trade during standard European hours.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For Italian retail traders, Exness is the clear winner in this comparison, with a score of 4.8/5 compared to Libertex's 3.7/5. Exness offers lower spreads, faster execution, more deposit options including SEPA and PostePay, and superior customer support. It is particularly well-suited for active forex traders and those who want a professional trading environment. Libertex, while a legitimate broker with a user-friendly platform, falls short in terms of cost and flexibility. Italian traders who prioritize low costs, fast withdrawals, and advanced tools should choose Exness. However, if you are a beginner looking for a simple platform to trade a variety of CFDs, Libertex may be worth considering. Ultimately, Exness provides the best value for Italian traders in 2026.