Tickmill and Exness are two of the most-searched FCA-regulated brokers in the UK, so a head-to-head matters. This comparison is written specifically for UK retail traders. We line up Tickmill (FCA, CySEC, FSA, FSCA, founded 2014) against Exness (CySEC, FCA, FSA, FSCA, founded 2008) across the criteria that actually move money: typical spreads on EUR/USD, commissions per round-turn, platform stability, deposit and withdrawal flow, education quality, mobile execution and FSCS-backed safety. Read the verdict at the bottom for a clear recommendation, or jump straight to the section that matters most to you using the on-this-page links.
We also review account types, deposit methods, mobile trading tools and overall value for UK traders, so the brokers featured here are not just competitive on paper, but genuinely practical for everyday use. Whether you are a beginner opening your first live account, a swing trader hunting tight overnight financing, or a high-volume scalper looking for raw spreads, this page distils 15+ data points into one decisive recommendation.
This gives you a quicker way to narrow the field before comparing the top-rated options in more detail. If you want the short version, jump straight to the rankings, methodology or FAQ below.
Quick Verdict
Tickmill wins on raw cost ($2/lot commission). Exness wins on accessibility ($1 deposit, instant withdrawals, unlimited leverage). Both are FCA-regulated and excellent for different trading styles.
Choose Tickmill for:
Scalpers, high-frequency traders, cost-optimisers
Choose Exness for:
All-round traders, instant withdrawal needs, unlimited leverage strategies
At a Glance, Tickmill vs Exness
Two distinct propositions for UK traders. Below we surface the headline numbers, rating, deposit, leverage, EUR/USD spread, Trustpilot score and FCA status, before drilling into the full data table.
Tickmill
Min Deposit
$100
Max Leverage
1:500
EUR/USD
0.0-0.2 pips
Trustpilot
⭐ 4.0
Pros
- $2/lot, cheapest commission globally
- FCA regulated
- Excellent for scalping
- Free VPS hosting
- Same-day withdrawals
Cons
- $100 minimum deposit
- Only 200+ instruments
- No copy trading
- Smaller brand recognition
Exness
Min Deposit
$1
Max Leverage
Unlimited
EUR/USD
0.0-0.3 pips
Trustpilot
⭐ 4.6
Pros
- Instant withdrawals
- Unlimited leverage
- $1 deposit
- Swap-free majors
- 22,000+ reviews
Cons
- $3.5/lot commission, higher than Tickmill
- Basic education
- No VPS hosting benefit
- Fewer account tiers
Tickmill
⭐ 4.4/5FCA-regulated · Spreads from 0.0-0.2 pips · Min deposit $100 · 1:500 leverage · MT4, MT5.
Full Comparison Table, 20 Criteria
Data measured April 2026Every metric that influences your bottom line, from raw spreads on the four most-traded majors, through commissions and overnight financing, to platform breadth and customer support. Highlighted cells indicate the better number on each row.
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.0-0.2 pips | 0.0-0.3 pips |
| GBP/USD Spread | 0.3-0.7 pips | 0.1-0.5 pips |
| USD/JPY Spread | 0.1-0.3 pips | 0.0-0.3 pips |
| XAU/USD Spread | 0.08-0.25 | 0.04-0.30 |
| Commission | $2/lot (Pro) | $3.5/lot (Raw) |
| Min Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | Unlimited |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, FSA, FSCA | CySEC, FCA, FSA, FSCA |
| FCA Regulated | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal |
| Trustpilot | ⭐ 4.0 (1,200+) | ⭐ 4.6 (22,000+) |
| Withdrawal | Same day | Instant |
| CFD Loss Rate | 73% | 72% |
| Instruments | 200+ | 200+ |
| Account Types | Classic, Pro, VIP | Standard, Raw, Zero, Pro |
| Deposit Methods | Bank, Card, Skrill, Neteller, Crypto | Bank, Card, Skrill, Neteller, Crypto |
| Support | 24/5 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat |
| Copy Trading | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Demo Account | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Islamic Account | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Cost Example, 1 Standard Lot EUR/USD
We modelled the round-turn cost of trading one standard lot (100,000 units) of EUR/USD using each broker's typical London-session spread plus published commission. Lower bars mean cheaper trading for active UK clients.
Costs are indicative and depend on session, instrument volatility and account tier. Live spreads can be narrower during peak liquidity (London/NY overlap) and wider at the Asia open.
The Cost Battle: $2 vs $3.50 Per Lot
Tickmill's Pro account charges just $2/lot (round turn $4), the lowest in the industry. Exness's Raw Spread charges $3.50/lot (round turn $7). That's $3 saved per round turn with Tickmill. For a trader executing 200 lots/month, Tickmill saves $600/month or $7,200/year. However, Exness's swap-free major pairs can offset this for swing traders holding positions overnight, swap costs easily exceed $3 per lot on multi-day trades.
Both FCA Regulated, Equal Trust
Tickmill (FRN 717270) and Exness (FRN 730729) both hold FCA licences. Both provide FSCS protection up to £85,000. Both maintain segregated client funds. Regulatory protection is identical for UK clients. Neither has a trust advantage over the other on this criterion.
Withdrawal Speed: Instant vs Same-Day
Exness processes e-wallet withdrawals instantly, funds appear in minutes. Tickmill processes same-day for e-wallets, which typically means within business hours. The practical difference: Exness withdrawals at 11 PM on Friday arrive instantly; Tickmill's would process the next business day. For traders who need immediate access to funds, Exness's true instant processing is superior.
Leverage: 1:500 vs Unlimited
Exness's unlimited leverage is unique in the industry. Tickmill's 1:500 is generous but standard among international brokers. For UK retail clients, both are limited to 1:30 under FCA rules. For professional clients or offshore accounts, Exness's unlimited leverage enables strategies impossible with Tickmill's 1:500 cap, though very few strategies genuinely require leverage beyond 1:500.
Scalping Suitability
Both brokers welcome scalpers. Tickmill's lower commission gives scalpers a direct cost advantage on every trade. Exness's slightly tighter average spreads partially offset this. For scalpers taking 50+ trades per day, Tickmill's $2/lot commission delivers the best cost structure. For scalpers who also hold some positions overnight, Exness's swap-free feature adds value.
VPS Hosting: Tickmill's Free Offer
Tickmill offers free VPS hosting for accounts with $5,000+ balance and 5+ lots traded monthly. Exness does not offer free VPS. For EA traders running automated strategies 24/5, this saves $20-50/month on VPS costs. Combined with Tickmill's lower commission, EA traders get a compelling package of low costs and free infrastructure.
Exness
⭐ 4.8/5FCA-regulated · Spreads from 0.0-0.3 pips · Min deposit $1 · Unlimited leverage · MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal.
CFD Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Tickmill. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
CFD Risk Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Exness. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
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Senior Broker Analyst
9+ years experience · Speciality: Broker Reviews, Regulation, Trading Platforms
Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge from her 9-year tenure in the financial services industry, including roles at two FCA-regulated brokerages. She specialises in evaluating broker platforms, fee structures, and regulatory compliance. Her detailed broker reviews have helped thousands of UK traders find reliable, transparent trading partners. Sarah is a CFA Level II candidate and contributes regularly to industry publications on topics related to retail trading infrastructure.
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