An ECN (Electronic Communication Network) broker connects traders directly with liquidity providers such as banks, hedge funds, and other market participants. This model avoids the broker acting as a counterparty to the trade, which can reduce conflict of interest.
Core Features of ECN Brokers:
| Feature | ECN Broker |
|---|---|
| Trade execution | Direct to liquidity providers |
| Spreads | Usually raw or close to market |
| Commission | Charged separately per trade |
| Slippage | Possible in volatile markets |
| Order book access | May show depth of market |
To answer is Exness a ECN broker, we need to look at how Exness handles order execution across its account types. Exness offers both market-making and ECN-style access depending on the account you choose. The Raw Spread and Zero accounts operate using an ECN-like model. Orders are executed with real market pricing and commission-based costs, which is typical of ECN setups.
Breakdown of Account Types:
| Account Type | Execution Model | Spreads | Commission | ECN Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Market Maker | From 1.0 | No | ❌ |
| Raw Spread | ECN-style | From 0.0 | $3.5 per lot | ✅ |
| Zero | ECN-style | From 0.0 | Variable by asset | ✅ |
| Pro | Instant Execution | From 0.1 | No | ❌ |
So, is Exness a ECN broker? The answer is: partially. It depends on the account and conditions.
Practical Advantages:
Comparison: ECN vs Market Maker at Exness:
| Feature | ECN-style (Raw/Zero) | Market Maker (Standard/Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Price source | External liquidity providers | Internal order book |
| Trading cost | Commission + spread | Spread only |
| Order execution | Market execution | Instant execution possible |
| Suitable for scalping | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Conditional |
Although Exness doesn’t brand itself strictly as an ECN broker, it incorporates many ECN features through its infrastructure:
Execution Speed and Slippage Table:
| Market Condition | Avg. Execution Speed | Slippage Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Normal hours | ~0.1 seconds | Low |
| High volatility events | ~0.3 seconds | Medium to High |
| Overnight trading | ~0.2 seconds | Medium |
If you're trading strategies that need high-speed execution and raw pricing, the ECN-like accounts from Exness make sense.
Recommended Use Cases:
Key Considerations Before Choosing ECN Model:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Trading volume | Higher volume justifies commission cost |
| Platform | MT4 and MT5 both support ECN accounts |
| VPS use | Reduces disconnection risk |
| Experience level | ECN is better suited for experienced users |
So, is Exness a ECN broker? Technically, not in the pure sense. But it offers ECN-style trading through specific accounts like Raw Spread and Zero, giving traders access to market-based pricing, fast execution, and commission-based cost models. For those who prioritize low spreads, real-time pricing, and strategy automation, these account types can deliver similar benefits to what a traditional ECN broker provides. The key is understanding what execution model you’re choosing when opening an account.