Exness vs XM Group: Best Broker for Singapore Traders in 2026
Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore is one of Asia’s most dynamic forex trading hubs, with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) setting a high bar for broker regulation. For local traders, choosing between Exness and XM Group is a common dilemma. Exness, with a 4.8/5 rating, is known for its ultra-low spreads, unlimited leverage, and lightning-fast execution—perfect for sophisticated investors trading high volumes. XM Group, rated 4.7/5, offers a more comprehensive educational suite, lower minimum deposits, and a wider range of tradable instruments, appealing to both beginners and experienced traders. Both brokers accept SGD deposits and support local payment methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making them accessible to Singaporeans. This comparison dives into spreads, regulation, platforms, and local support to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2026.
| Instrument | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $10 | $5 | Exness |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are critical, especially when trading major pairs like USD/SGD. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero Account with a commission of $3.50 per lot, while its Standard Account has spreads from 0.3 pips with no commission. XM Group’s Ultra-Low Account starts at 0.6 pips with no commission, and its Standard Account has spreads from 1.0 pip. For high-volume traders, Exness’s lower spreads can save significant costs over time. XM Group is more cost-effective for smaller traders who prefer fixed spreads and no commission structures.
| Account Type | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $10 | $5 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | Exness | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Singapore traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Exness also provides its proprietary WebTerminal, which is lightweight and browser-based. XM Group offers XM WebTrader and a mobile app with integrated educational tools. For Singapore traders who value speed and customization, Exness’s platforms are optimized for low latency. XM Group’s platforms are more user-friendly for beginners, with built-in analysis and one-click trading.
| Factor | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Exness boasts an average execution speed of under 20 milliseconds, with no requotes or slippage on most orders. XM Group offers execution speeds of around 30-50 milliseconds, which is still competitive. For Singapore traders using scalping or high-frequency strategies, Exness’s faster execution and deeper liquidity from multiple tier-1 banks provide a significant advantage. XM Group’s execution is reliable but may experience slight delays during news events.
| Safety Factor | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Reg number | #730729 | #443670 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Singapore traders, and both brokers are licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Exness holds a Capital Markets Services (CMS) license from MAS, ensuring strict compliance with local financial laws. XM Group also has a MAS license, offering the same level of investor protection. This means both brokers must adhere to Singapore’s stringent anti-money laundering and client fund segregation rules. For Singapore traders, this provides peace of mind, knowing their funds are held in trust accounts and subject to regular audits.
| Payment Method | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Singapore traders enjoy seamless deposits and withdrawals at both Exness and XM Group. Exness supports instant PayNow deposits with no fees, Bank Transfers for larger amounts (free via local banks), and Credit Card deposits with a 1% fee. XM Group also accepts PayNow, typically processing within 30 minutes, along with Bank Transfers and Credit Cards. Withdrawals are equally efficient: Exness processes most withdrawals within 24 hours, while XM Group takes 1-2 business days. For active traders, Exness’s faster withdrawal times and zero-fee PayNow deposits give it an edge. Both brokers support SGD accounts, eliminating currency conversion costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Exness and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. Exness provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Standard, Zero, and Pro, with no swap charges on overnight positions. XM Group offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Ultra-Low accounts, but requires a simple request via email or live chat. Exness has a slight advantage with faster approval and no additional fees, while XM Group’s process is straightforward. Both brokers ensure that swap-free accounts are available for all major and minor forex pairs.
| Support Feature | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support is available 24/7 for both brokers, with multilingual teams that include English and Mandarin speakers—ideal for Singapore traders. Exness offers live chat, email, and phone support, with an average response time of under 30 seconds. XM Group provides similar channels, plus a callback service. For local queries, both brokers have Singapore-specific contact options, but Exness’s faster response times and dedicated account managers for high-volume traders make it more appealing for sophisticated investors.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
- Trade high volumes and need ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips.
- Prefer instant deposits via PayNow with zero fees.
- Require unlimited leverage for major forex pairs.
- Value lightning-fast execution for scalping and algorithmic trading.
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or intermediate trader seeking educational resources.
- Want a lower minimum deposit of just $5.
- Prefer fixed spreads for predictable trading costs.
- Need a wider range of tradable instruments, including stocks and commodities.
For Singapore traders, the choice between Exness and XM Group depends on your experience and trading style. Exness wins for sophisticated investors who prioritize low costs, fast execution, and seamless local payments like PayNow and Bank Transfer. Its MAS regulation and unlimited leverage make it a top pick for active traders. XM Group is better for those starting out or preferring a more educational approach, with lower barriers to entry and fixed spreads. Both brokers accept SGD and support Credit Card deposits, but Exness’s instant PayNow processing and faster withdrawals give it a slight edge. Ultimately, Exness’s 4.8/5 rating reflects its superior offering for high-volume Singapore traders, while XM Group remains a solid choice for balanced trading.