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Exness Alternative: Why Traders Switch to LHFX

A commission account from $10 instead of Exness's $200, at a fixed US$3 per side on every instrument against up to US$3.50 on Exness Raw Spread.

Every Exness figure on this page is checked against Exness's own website, including the places where Exness comes out ahead.

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LHFX or Exness: the short answer

LHFX's edge over Exness is a low entry point for commission pricing. LHFX's only account, at a fixed US$3 per side on every instrument, starts at $10; Exness's Raw Spread, Zero and Pro accounts start at $200, varying by country. Exness's Raw Spread commission is up to US$3.50 per side, so at that ceiling 100 lots a month costs US$100 more in commission at Exness. Exness is ahead on leverage (up to 1:Unlimited on its professional accounts) and on choice: Standard, Pro, Zero and Raw Spread pricing, with zero spread on 30 top instruments on Zero. Both brokers process most withdrawals automatically: LHFX's typically complete in under 20 minutes, and Exness says any that are not instant are processed within 24 hours. Exness publishes only minimum spreads, so the full cost per lot depends on the spread each broker quotes when you trade.

Where LHFX is ahead of Exness

  • $10

    Minimum deposit for LHFX's commission account, which is its only account

    Exness: Raw Spread, Zero and Pro start at $200, varying by country; Standard, which has no commission, starts at $10

  • US$3

    Commission per side on every LHFX instrument, including gold, crypto and stocks

    Exness Raw Spread: up to US$3.50 per side; Zero from US$0.05, with zero spread on 30 top instruments

Quick Comparison

LHFX vs Exness at a glance.

LHFX vs Exness: commission, minimum deposit, spreads, leverage, platforms, instruments, execution, regulation, withdrawal speed and swap-free accounts
FeatureLHFXExness
Commission$3 per sideUp to $3.50 per side (Raw Spread); from $0.05 (Zero); none on Standard and Pro
Minimum Deposit$10From $200 for Raw Spread, Zero and Pro (varies by country); $10 for Standard
SpreadsFloating; EUR/USD typically 0.6 pipsFrom 0 pips (Raw Spread, Zero); from 0.1 (Pro); from 0.2 (Standard)
LeverageUp to 1:500Up to 1:Unlimited (Exness's own wording)
PlatformsMT5, LHFX TradeMT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade app
Instruments144Forex, metals, crypto, energies, stocks and indices (no total published)
ExecutionSTP/ECNMarket execution (Raw Spread, Zero); instant execution (Pro)
RegulationFSCA (FSP 52816), FSC Mauritius (GB23202204); client agreement with LHFX International Ltd (Anjouan)FSA Seychelles, FSCA and four other non-EU licences for the global site; CySEC and FCA for Europe and the UK
Withdrawal SpeedAutomatically approved withdrawals averaged 9 minutes over the last 7 daysProcessed automatically ('instant'); otherwise within 24 hours
Islamic AccountYes, swap-free with holding fee after grace periodYes, swap-free available

Exness figures checked on September 30, 2026 against the broker's own website. They apply to Exness (SC) Ltd and the other non-EU Exness entities named on exness.com. Terms differ by country and entity, so confirm them with Exness before you open an account.

What 1 lot costs at LHFX and Exness

Two worked examples, each 1 standard lot opened and closed. LHFX's column uses its fixed commission and its typical spread from its own quotes. Exness's column uses what exness.com publishes for the Raw Spread account.

EUR/USD, 1 standard lot (100,000 EUR), opened and closed
CostLHFXStandard accountExnessRaw Spread
Commission, round tripUS$6.00Up to US$7.00 (up to US$3.50 per side)
Spread0.6 pips (LHFX typical)From 0 pips (typical not published)
Spread costUS$6.00Not published
Round-trip totalAbout US$12.00Up to US$7.00 plus the spread
Gold (XAU/USD), 1 standard lot (100 oz), opened and closed
CostLHFXStandard accountExnessRaw Spread
Commission, round tripUS$6.00Up to US$7.00 (up to US$3.50 per side)
SpreadUS$0.37 per ounce (LHFX typical)Not published
Spread costUS$37.00Not published
Round-trip totalAbout US$43.00Up to US$7.00 plus the spread

At its US$3.50 ceiling, Exness's Raw Spread commission is US$1.00 more per lot round trip than LHFX's US$6.00. Exness publishes only minimum spreads, so the full comparison depends on the spread each broker quotes when you trade. Exness's Zero account is a different model: zero spread on 30 top instruments and a commission from US$0.05 per side. Beyond commission, LHFX's commission account starts at $10, against $200 for Exness's Raw Spread account.

How we worked this out: LHFX commission is US$3 per side on every instrument. LHFX spreads are the medians of LHFX's own live EUR/USD and gold quotes on weekdays from August 31, 2026 to September 30, 2026. Spreads float, so your own trade can cost more or less. One pip on 1 lot of EUR/USD is worth US$10, and a US$0.01 move on 1 lot of gold is worth US$1. Competitor figures are the ones each broker publishes; where a broker publishes only a minimum spread, the total is marked 'from'. Swaps and overnight fees are not included.

Where LHFX Wins

The areas where LHFX offers a clear advantage over Exness.

01

$10 Minimum for a Commission Account

Trade LHFX's commission-based account with just $10. Exness's Raw Spread, Zero and Pro accounts start at $200, varying by country. That is a 20x lower entry point.

02

A Fixed $3 Commission

$3 per side at LHFX; Exness charges up to $3.50 per side on its Raw Spread account. At the $3.50 ceiling, 100 lots a month costs $100 more in commission at Exness.

03

Simpler Account Structure

One account type with STP/ECN execution from the start. No choosing between Exness's Standard, Pro, Raw Spread or Zero accounts.

04

Fast Crypto Withdrawals

Automatically approved LHFX withdrawals typically complete in under 20 minutes, and LHFX publishes the live 7-day average. Exness also processes most withdrawals automatically and says any that are not instant are processed within 24 hours.

Where Exness Wins

Exness has genuine strengths. Here is where they come out ahead.

Higher Leverage

Up to 1:Unlimited on Exness's Pro, Zero and Raw Spread accounts vs 1:500 at LHFX. For traders who want maximum leverage, Exness goes far higher.

Broad Market Range

Exness offers forex, metals, crypto, energies, stocks and indices on its professional accounts. It does not publish a total on the pages we checked, so compare the exact symbols you trade.

More Account Options

Standard and professional accounts (Pro, Zero and Raw Spread) let you pick the pricing model that fits your strategy, including zero spread on 30 top instruments. LHFX offers one unified account.

More Licences

Exness names FSA Seychelles, FSCA, CBCS, FSC BVI, FSC Belize and FSC Mauritius licences on its global site, and runs separate CySEC and FCA entities for Europe and the UK. LHFX is regulated by the FSC in Mauritius and FSCA in South Africa.

Deposits and withdrawals

LHFX's minimum deposit is $10 on its only account; Exness's professional accounts start at $200, varying by country, and its Standard account at $10. Automatically approved withdrawals averaged 9 minutes over the last 7 days. Exness processes most withdrawals automatically and says any that are not instant are processed within 24 hours.

LHFX takes deposits in crypto, by card and through local payment rails in selected countries, and charges no deposit or withdrawal fees. The withdrawal figure in this section comes from LHFX's own live data, the same source as the LHFX homepage.

Exness says deposits and withdrawals can be made 24/7, including weekends, and that it covers third-party payment costs. How long funds take to arrive depends on the payment method, which Exness shows in its Personal Area.

Regulation and legal entity

LHFX trading accounts sit under a client agreement with LHFX International Ltd, licensed in Anjouan (AOFA licence L16408/LIL). Exness's global site is run by Exness (SC) Ltd, licensed by the Seychelles FSA (SD025) and authorised by South Africa's FSCA.

The LHFX group also includes LHFX SA (PTY) Ltd, an authorised financial services provider with South Africa's FSCA (FSP 52816), and Longhorn Ltd, which operates the LHFX website under FSC Mauritius licence GB23202204. Your client agreement names the entity your account sits under.

Exness also names Exness B.V. (Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten), Exness (VG) Ltd (FSC BVI), Forexite Ltd (FSC Belize) and Exness (MU) Ltd (FSC Mauritius) on its global site, and serves Europe and the UK through separate CySEC and FCA entities. The global entities do not serve residents of Europe or the UK.

Platforms

LHFX runs on MetaTrader 5 only. Exness offers MT4, MT5, its own Exness Terminal in the browser and the Exness Trade app.

MT5 supports Expert Advisors written in MQL5, 21 chart timeframes, depth of market and a built-in economic calendar, and it runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and in the browser.

Exness's MT5 and LHFX's MT5 are the same MetaQuotes terminal, so EAs and templates move across without changes. Only symbol names and contract specifications need checking.

Swap-free accounts and other fees

Both brokers offer swap-free trading, and neither charges its own deposit or withdrawal fees.

At LHFX, Islamic (swap-free) accounts pay US$3.50 per side instead of US$3.00 and a holding fee on positions kept open beyond the grace period. A $10 monthly inactivity fee applies only after an extended period of dormancy. Both are published on the LHFX spreads and fees page.

Exness lists swap-free trading on its accounts and says you can hold overnight positions for free on its most popular assets, subject to its terms and conditions.

Which broker suits you?

Choose Exness if you want leverage above 1:500, zero-spread pricing on its top instruments, or its own web terminal. Choose LHFX if you want a commission account from $10, a $3-per-side commission on every instrument, and one account with no pricing model to choose.

Who Should Choose LHFX

  • Traders who want a $3 per side commission rather than up to $3.50
  • Traders who want a commission-based account from $10 instead of $200
  • Traders starting with smaller accounts ($10 minimum)
  • Traders who prefer simplicity over multiple account types
  • Traders who value a modern proprietary web platform
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Who Should Stick with Exness

  • Traders who need leverage above 1:500
  • Traders who want zero spreads on 30 top instruments (Exness Zero)
  • Traders who want instant execution with no commission (Exness Pro)
  • Residents of Europe or the UK, whom Exness serves through its CySEC and FCA entities
  • Traders who want automated withdrawals seven days a week

Making the Switch

Moving from Exness to LHFX takes minutes, not days.

1

Open an LHFX Account

$10 minimum deposit. Registration takes about 2 minutes.

2

Verify Your Identity

Upload a government-issued ID. Most verifications complete within a few hours.

3

Fund and Start Trading

Deposit via crypto or card and place your first trade on MT5 or LHFX Trade.

Switching from Exness to LHFX

Open an LHFX account alongside your Exness account rather than closing it first. Practise on the LHFX demo with your usual symbols and EAs, then fund with $10 or more once pricing and execution match what you expect. Open positions cannot move between brokers, so close your Exness trades or let them run their course before you withdraw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LHFX cheaper than Exness?

It depends on the account. LHFX charges a fixed $3 per side, and Exness charges up to $3.50 per side on its Raw Spread account, so LHFX's commission is at or below Raw Spread's. Exness publishes only minimum Raw Spread spreads, so the full cost per lot depends on the spread each broker quotes when you trade: LHFX's EUR/USD spread was typically 0.6 pips in September 2026, about $12 per lot round trip in total. Exness's Zero account charges from $0.05 per side with zero spread on its top 30 instruments, a different model. Where LHFX is clearly ahead is the entry point for a commission account: $10, against Exness's $200 (varying by country).

Does LHFX offer leverage as high as Exness?

No. LHFX offers up to 1:500 leverage, while Exness offers up to 1:Unlimited on its Pro, Zero and Raw Spread accounts. If you specifically need leverage above 1:500, Exness goes higher. However, 1:500 is more than enough for most trading strategies.

Is LHFX regulated?

Yes. LHFX is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius under license GB23202204 and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa under license 52816. Your client agreement and trading account are with LHFX International Ltd, licensed by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (licence L16408/LIL).

Can I use MT4 with LHFX?

LHFX supports MetaTrader 5 and LHFX Trade (a proprietary web platform). MT4 is not available. If you specifically need MT4, Exness supports it. However, MT5 offers more timeframes, a built-in economic calendar, and faster backtesting than MT4.

Does LHFX allow scalping and hedging?

Yes. Both scalping and hedging are fully allowed at LHFX with no restrictions. Expert Advisors are also supported. There are no strategy limitations on the LHFX STP/ECN account.

What is the minimum deposit for Exness Raw Spread?

Exness says its professional accounts (Pro, Zero and Raw Spread) start at $200, though this may vary depending on your country of residence, and its Standard account starts at $10. LHFX's only account, which carries a $3 per side commission, starts at $10.

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$10 minimum deposit. US$3 per side commission on every instrument. MetaTrader 5. Automatic withdrawals typically under 20 minutes.

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