Commission is a direct charge levied by a broker for executing a trade, often alongside a spread (the difference between the buy and sell price). Some brokers offer "commission-free" trading, where their compensation is primarily embedded in wider spreads, while others charge a explicit commission on top of tighter raw spreads.
Exness Commission Structure
Exness is known for its flexible account types, catering to various trading strategies. They offer both commission-free and commission-based accounts.
Standard Accounts
* Standard, Standard Cent: These accounts are typically commission-free, with Exness's compensation derived from the spread. Spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD can start from around 0.3 pips (typical, at time of writing – check broker site), which is competitive for a commission-free model.
Professional Accounts
* Raw Spread: This account type features very tight spreads, often starting from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs (typical, at time of writing – check broker site), but levies a commission per lot per side. The commission can be around $3.5 per lot per side (typical, at time of writing – check broker site) for EUR/USD.
* Zero: As the name suggests, this account offers zero spreads for the top 30 instruments for 95% of the trading day (typical, at time of writing – check broker site). It also charges a commission, which can be similar to the Raw Spread account, or slightly higher depending on the instrument.
Exness often highlights its commitment to transparency and competitive pricing, with variable spreads reflecting market conditions.
AvaTrade Commission Structure
AvaTrade primarily operates on a spread-only model, meaning there are generally no explicit commissions charged on trades. Their revenue is generated through the bid/ask spread.
Standard Account
* Retail Account: AvaTrade's main account type is commission-free. Spreads for major pairs like EUR/USD typically start from around 0.9 pips (typical, at time of writing – check broker site). While this might appear wider than some raw spread accounts, it's important to remember that there's no additional commission to factor in.
AvaTrade emphasizes a straightforward fee structure, which can be appealing to traders who prefer to see all their trading costs consolidated within the spread. They also offer a professional account with potentially tighter spreads for eligible clients, though still generally on a spread-only basis.
Exness vs AvaTrade: Key Comparison
To provide a holistic view beyond just commission, here's a comparison of other critical aspects:
| Feature | Exness | AvaTrade |
| :---------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Spreads EUR/USD | From 0.0 pips (Raw Spread, Zero accounts) or 0.3 pips (Standard) (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) | From 0.9 pips (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) |
| Spreads GBP/USD | From 0.0 pips (Raw Spread, Zero accounts) or 0.6 pips (Standard) (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) | From 1.5 pips (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) |
| Spreads XAU/USD | From 0.0 pips (Raw Spread, Zero accounts) or 10 pips (Standard) (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) | From 20 pips (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) |
| Commission | Yes (Raw Spread, Zero accounts), No (Standard, Standard Cent accounts) | No (spread-only model) |
| Min Deposit | From $10 for some accounts (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) | From $100 for standard account (typical, at time of writing — check broker site) |
| Regulators | FCA (UK – limited offering), CySEC, FSCA, CMA, FSC, FSA, BVI FSC, CBCS, FSCM | CBI (Ireland), ASIC, FSA (Japan), FSCA, ADGM, IIROC, KNF, ISA, BVI FSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App | MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, DupliTrade, ZuluTrade, AvaOptions |
*Figures are typical, at time of writing — check broker site for the most up-to-date and specific details.*
*CFD trading carries significant risk and may result in the loss of your invested capital.*
Verdict by Trader Type
Choosing between Exness and AvaTrade depends heavily on your trading style, experience, and priorities.
For Cost-Conscious Scalpers & High-Volume Traders
Traders who execute a large number of trades and aim for very small profits per trade (scalpers) often benefit from raw spread accounts with commission. In this scenario, Exness with its Raw Spread or Zero accounts might be more appealing, as the extremely tight spreads can outweigh the explicit commission for high-frequency strategies. However, the exact cost-effectiveness will depend on the instrument and trading volume.
For Beginners & Simplicity Seekers
Newer traders or those who prefer a straightforward cost structure might lean towards commission-free models. AvaTrade fits this profile well, with its spread-only pricing making it easier to calculate potential trading costs without factoring in separate commissions. Exness's Standard accounts also offer a commission-free option that could be suitable.
For Automated Traders
Both brokers support popular platforms like MT4 and MT5, making them suitable for automated trading strategies (EAs). The choice here would again boil down to whether the strategy benefits more from raw spreads + commission or slightly wider spreads with no commission.
For Risk-Averse Traders (UK)
Both brokers are regulated by reputable authorities. However, for UK residents, the primary consideration would be the FCA regulation. While Exness has an FCA license, its retail offering for UK clients is more limited. AvaTrade, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and other top-tier authorities, offers a broader range of products to UK clients.
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