Opening — Who this guide is for and what it solves
You are an Indian retail trader or investor researching Exness fees before opening or funding an account.
This guide shows the full set of trading and non-trading charges you will face when using Exness from India. It explains how spreads, commissions, minimum deposits, leverage and withdrawal rules translate into real costs.
Check clear numbers, practical examples, and simple decision rules. Test account types with small funds. Compare costs across 10–50 trades before scaling.
Quick answer / TL;DR — Key takeaways up front
– Standard accounts → pay spreads (typically 0.0–3+ pips) and $0 commission; good for small-size traders.
– Raw/Zero accounts → pay lower spreads (from 0.0 pips) but expect a commission (commonly around $3.5 per lot per side; check your account currency).
– Minimum deposit → $10 on many Exness retail accounts; minimum lot 0.01 lots (1,000 units of base currency).
– Non-trading costs → withdrawals may be free or have small processor fees; inactivity or conversion fees can apply—monitor currency conversion if you fund in INR.
– Test with $10–$50, measure spreads and conversion costs over 10–50 trades.
Trading fees and spreads — 0.0–3+ pips and $0–$7 per lot
Define trading fees. Trading fees combine spread (the price gap between buy and sell) and commission (a fixed fee per lot). A spread is measured in pips. A pip is 0.0001 for most forex majors (explained here once). Commission is typically quoted per 1 lot (100,000 units). Use a concrete example. If EUR/USD shows 0.0 pips spread on a Raw/Zero account and commission is $3.5 per lot per side, round-turn cost equals $7 per lot. For 1 standard lot (100,000 units), your cost per full buy+sell equals $7.
Expect these typical ranges:
– Standard accounts: spreads of 0.5–3+ pips and commission $0.
– Raw/Zero accounts: spreads from 0.0–0.5 pips and commission around $3.5 per lot per side (≈ $7 round-turn).
– Instrument variance: majors 0.0–1.5 pips; minors 2–10 pips; exotics 10–30+ pips.
Show scale math with a micro trade. For 0.01 lot (1,000 units):
– With 1.5 pip spread on EUR/USD: cost = 0.01 × 100,000 × 0.00015 = $0.15 per trade.
– With $7 round-turn commission: cost = 0.01 × $7 = $0.07 per trade.
– Compare: $0.07 vs $0.15 per entry+exit for tiny sizes.
Key numbers to remember:
– Spread range: 0.0 to 3+ pips (majors).
– Commission range: $0 to ~$7 per 1 lot round-turn.
– Micro-lot size cost sample: 0.01 lot ≈ $0.07–$0.15 per trade.
– Standard lot size: 100,000 units.
– Raw/Zero commission per side: commonly $3.5.
Watch out for: spreads widen during major news, outside liquidity hours, and on holidays. Expect spreads to spike 2–10× at major economic releases.
Account minimums and trade size rules — $10 min deposit and 0.01 lot min
State minimum deposit and funding basics. Many Exness retail accounts accept a minimum deposit of $10. Choose funding currency carefully. If you fund in INR, expect currency conversion and potential markup. Define lot (contract size) and micro-lot. One standard lot equals 100,000 units, one mini lot equals 10,000, and one micro lot equals 1,000 units (0.01 lot).
Trading-size rules and examples:
– Minimum lot: 0.01 lot (1,000 units).
– Example notional: 0.01 lot EUR/USD ≈ $1,000 notional value.
– Platform limits: maximum lots per position vary; check the instrument. Limits can be 5–1,000 lots depending on the market.
Explain margin and position-sizing with numbers:
– If leverage gives 100:1 (1% margin), then 0.01 lot needs about $10 margin.
– If leverage gives 500:1 (0.2% margin), then 0.01 lot needs about $2 margin.
– For 0.1 lot at 100:1, margin ≈ $100. For 1 lot at 100:1, margin ≈ $1,000.
Bullet list:
– Minimum deposit: $10 on many retail accounts.
– Minimum lot: 0.01 lot = 1,000 units.
– Lot types: 0.01, 0.1, 1.0.
– Example notional: 0.01 lot ≈ $1,000; 0.1 lot ≈ $10,000; 1 lot ≈ $100,000.
– Example margin: 0.01 lot needs $2–$10 depending on leverage.
Watch out for: funding in INR adds conversion fees and can increase the effective minimum deposit because of exchange rate and processor minimums. Verify local payment rules and minimum cut-offs of ₹500–₹2,000 if using certain processors.
Leverage, margin and how they affect fees — up to unlimited/1000:1 and margin examples
Define leverage and margin. Leverage multiplies your buying power. Margin is the collateral required to open a position (margin (collateral to open a position)). Use clear ratios and percentages. Example leverages include 100:1 (1% margin) and 500:1 (0.2% margin). Exness offers higher leverage tiers for eligible accounts; verify the allowed ratio in your account settings.
Show margin math with concrete numbers:
– For 1 standard lot (100,000 units) EUR/USD at 100:1, margin ≈ $1,000 (1% of $100,000).
– At 500:1, margin ≈ $200 (0.2% of $100,000).
– At 1,000:1, margin ≈ $100 (0.1% of $100,000).
– For 0.1 lot at 100:1, margin ≈ $100.
Explain indirect fee impacts with swap examples:
– Overnight swap can be charged if you hold a position past the daily roll time.
– Example swap rate: 0.5% annual on notional $100,000 → nightly cost ≈ $13.70 (0.5%/365 × $100,000).
– For 0.1 lot, nightly cost ≈ $1.37. For 0.01 lot, nightly cost ≈ $0.14.
Bullet list:
– Example leverages: 100:1 (1% margin), 500:1 (0.2%), 1000:1 (0.1%).
– Margin per 1 lot: $1,000 at 100:1; $200 at 500:1; $100 at 1000:1.
– Overnight swap example: 0.5% annual → $13.70 per $100k per night.
– Position-sizing rule: reduce lot size as leverage increases to control risk.
Watch out for: higher leverage raises liquidation risk and magnifies swaps. Leverage can change by instrument and by account; check live settings before trading.
Non-trading charges: deposits, withdrawals, conversion and inactivity — $0–$X and timelines
List typical non-trading fees. Deposits are often free but depend on the processor. Withdrawals can be free or carry fixed fees. Currency conversion can add 0.5–2% markup. Inactivity fees can apply after a set period.
Provide specific numbers and timelines:
– Deposit fees: commonly $0 with bank/UPI/e-wallets, but third-party processors may charge $0–$10.
– Withdrawal fees: often $0 for e-wallets; bank transfers can cost $0–$25 depending on route.
– Conversion markup: typically 0.5–2% on converted amounts. Example: on ₹10,000, a 1.5% conversion cost = ₹150 lost.
– Inactivity fee: may kick in after 3–12 months; fees can be $5–$50 per month depending on balance.
Timeline examples:
– Instant deposit: minutes for e-wallets and certain local rails.
– Bank transfer: 1–5 business days to clear.
– Withdrawal processing: same-day for some e-wallets; 1–7 business days for bank transfers.
– Verification KYC: can take 24–72 hours for new accounts.
Bullet list:
– Deposit fees: often $0; check your processor.
– Withdrawal timelines: minutes to 7 business days.
– Conversion markup: ~0.5–2% typically.
– Inactivity trigger: 3–12 months; fee range $5–$50/month.
– Example loss on conversion: ₹10,000 at 1.5% → ₹150.
Watch out for: third-party payment providers can enforce minimum withdrawal amounts (e.g., ₹500 or $10) and fixed per-withdrawal fees that erode small withdrawals.
Taxes, GST, and regulatory considerations for Indian residents — 18% GST context and TDS examples
State tax responsibility. You must report trading profits. Brokers do not typically collect Indian GST on fees charged offshore. Classify income as capital gains or business income based on frequency and intent. Use clear tax examples and numbers.
Concrete examples and numbers:
– GST example: standard GST rate for services is 18% (use this when evaluating local service fees).
– Profit tax example: if net profit = ₹100,000, applicable tax depends on your slab: typical slabs include 10%, 20%, and 30% depending on total income.
– TDS examples: some banks or platforms may apply withholding; example rates discussed in guidance can be 10% or 30% depending on payment type and treaty/exemptions.
Explain fee deduction and record keeping:
– If you pay $50 in spreads/commissions, convert and deduct as expense against trading income when treated as business income.
– Example conversion: $50 at a conversion cost of 1.5% adds an effective expense; record both amounts.
– Keep trade logs with dates, instrument, lots, entry/exit, spread, commission. Store statements for 6 years for audit-proof.
Bullet list:
– GST context: 18% may apply to local service fees.
– Example taxable profit: ₹100,000 → tax varies by slab (10%–30%).
– TDS examples: 10% or 30% may apply on certain payments.
– Fee documentation: save statements, invoices, and bank receipts.
– Conversion for tax: convert USD fees to INR at the transaction date rate for filings.
Watch out for: tax rules change and interpretation varies. Consult a chartered accountant before filing. Do not assume offshore broker fees are tax-exempt.
Comparison table section — quick fee matrix and account comparison
Compare common Exness account types and fee components for Indian users in one snapshot.
| Account type | Typical spread (majors) | Commission per 1 lot (round turn) | Minimum deposit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 0.5–3+ pips | $0 | $10 | Beginners, small accounts |
| Raw / Zero | 0.0–0.5 pips | ~$3.5–$7 | $10 | Scalpers, high-volume traders |
| Professional/Advanced | 0.0–1.5 pips | Varies | $10–100 | Experienced traders, larger balances |
One-sentence summary: Standard suits low-volume traders paying wider spreads; Raw suits volume traders paying per-lot commission to get near-zero spreads.
Closing — How to choose / Bottom line (decision tree style)
If you trade under 0.1 lot and avoid frequent entries → pick Standard (wider spreads, $0 commission). Test with $10–$50. Measure spread over 10–20 trades.
If you scalp or trade >1 lot per day → pick Raw/Zero (pay ~$3.5–$7 per lot round-turn to get 0.0–0.5 pip spreads). Run a 50-trade cost test to confirm break-even.
If you fund in INR and avoid conversions → choose the funding method with minimal forex markup. Compare conversion markups of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% across providers.
If unsure → open a small test account, place 5–20 live trades, and measure realized spread + commission + conversion cost before scaling. Keep records for tax and compare actual costs over 10–50 trades.
Decision checklist:
– Check spreads on majors: 0.0–3+ pips.
– Verify commission: $0 or ~$7 per lot round-turn.
– Confirm minimum deposit: $10.
– Confirm minimum lot: 0.01 lot.
– Test conversions: expect 0.5–2% markup.
Take action: open a small account, fund $10–$50, place test trades, and log real costs for 10–50 trades.