Comparing Exness account types: Which one suits Kenyan traders best?
By Paul Reid
Choosing the right trading account is a pivotal decision for any Kenyan trader, one that can significantly shape their journey in the dynamic multi-asset and forex market. We understand this, which is why we offer a comprehensive suite of options: Standard and three distinct Professional accounts, Pro, Raw Spread, and Zero.
Each of these option types is meticulously designed to cater to varying trading styles, deposit budgets, and preferences concerning how trading costs are structured, whether through spreads or commissions.
This in-depth guide will compare these options, empowering traders to make an informed choice that aligns perfectly with their individual needs, experience, and financial goals. Understanding the differences between these trading account types is key to success.
Standard
Standard is our most popular offering, and for good reason. Due to its remarkable accessibility, it's the quintessential choice for beginners and intermediate traders in Kenya, and one of the most common trading account types for newcomers.
The barrier to entry is exceptionally low, with the minimum initial deposit often determined by the chosen payment method, frequently as little as 1,300 KES or 10 USD, depending on the exchange rate. This is an ideal starting point for those looking to dip their toes into online trading without committing a large sum upfront, making it a very popular choice among the available Exness account types.
A key feature of Standard is its transparent pricing structure. It operates with floating spreads that typically start from 0.2 pips, and critically, no commission is levied on trades. This means all your trading costs are encapsulated within the spread, offering a straightforward and predictable expense model.
The simplicity of these different account types offers a significant advantage to traders who prefer not to deal with separate commission calculations.
Standard is remarkably versatile in terms of trading style. It comfortably accommodates a wide array of strategies, including swing and position trading, where minute fluctuations in spreads are less impactful than those of high-frequency strategies.
We offer leverage up to 1:400, in accordance with the local regulatory requirements from the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). Trade execution is typically market execution, meaning your orders are filled at the best available price in the market. When considering various account types, the Standard account provides a balanced approach.
Who is Standard best suited for?
This account type is perfect for Kenyan traders who are new to global markets, have a limited initial budget, prefer a straightforward pricing model with no commissions, and are comfortable with slightly wider but generally stable spreads. It provides a solid foundation for learning and growing in the trading space using the available Exness account types.
Professional
Stepping up from Standard, Exness' Professional accounts are crafted for experienced and confident traders who demand more specialized conditions to optimize their strategies. While these trading accounts generally require a higher minimum initial deposit of around 65,000 KES (500 USD, depending on the exchange rate), they unlock tighter spreads, different execution models, and varied fee structures designed to benefit high-volume or specialized approaches. These distinct choices cater to a different segment of traders.
Pro
Pro is a highly versatile option catering to a diverse range of advanced trading strategies. It maintains the attractive no-commission feature, appealing to traders who seek the benefits of professional-grade conditions without the added layer of commission calculations. This makes it a unique offering among the various Exness trading accounts.
With Pro, traders gain access to remarkably tight spreads, often starting from an impressive 0.1 pips. This narrow spread environment makes it exceptionally well-suited for day trading and scalping, where minimizing the cost per trade is paramount.
Algorithmic traders using Expert Advisors (EAs) also find Pro appealing due to its favorable spread conditions. Compared to the standard vs raw spread debate, Pro offers a middle ground.
The execution types available on Pro are instant execution (where orders are filled immediately at the requested price, with potential requotes if the market moves) and market execution for specific instruments. Like Standard, Pro offers Kenyan traders 1:400 leverage, making it a good choice when considering the different options.
Who is Pro best suited for?
Pro is ideal for Kenyan traders who wish to deposit larger amounts, have significant experience, and prefer very tight spreads without incurring commissions. It offers a great balance among the various Exness account types on offer.
Raw Spread
As its name powerfully suggests, the Raw Spread is engineered to provide traders with the absolute tightest possible spreads, delivering a truly unfiltered view of market pricing. This is a crucial distinction when comparing standard vs raw spread options. Here, spreads can start from an astonishing 0.0 pips on major currency pairs for a significant portion of the trading day, making it one of the most competitive account types for cost.
However, this ultra-low spread comes with a distinct trade-off: a fixed commission is charged per lot per side. While the commission is around 450 KES (+/-3.50 USD) per lot per side on most instruments, the combined cost of the minuscule spread and the fixed commission often results in a lower overall trading cost for high-volume traders. This transparent pricing structure clearly separates the spread cost from the broker's commission, a key point in the standard vs raw spread discussion.
Raw Spread is a firm favorite among scalpers, high-frequency traders, and Expert Advisor (EA) trading bot users whose strategies critically depend on minimizing every fraction of a pip in spread cost. The execution type is generally market execution, but instant execution¹ is also possible. This ensures that orders are filled at the best available market price with minimal rejections, which is invaluable to high-speed traders. Once again, leverage for traders remains at 1:400.
Who is Exness Raw Spread best suited for?
This Exness account type is the go-to choice for Kenyan traders who are highly active scalpers, utilize EAs for frequent trading, or engage in any high-volume strategy. They prioritize the absolute lowest spreads available, understanding that the low, per-trade commission is more than offset by the significant savings on spread costs over many trades. Raw account traders typically have a substantial volume where the efficiency of the Raw Spread account truly shines, especially in the context of standard vs raw spread cost analysis.
Zero
Zero builds upon the premise of offering the tightest and most stable spreads², taking it a step further by aiming for zero spread on a significant portion of the most actively traded instruments. This Exness account type provides 0.0 pips spreads on the top 30 traded instruments for 95% of the trading day, offering incredible cost efficiency on popular currency pairs.
Similar to the Raw, the Zero account operates within a commission structure, starting from 6.50 KES +/- (0.05 USD) per lot per side. This incredibly low commission, combined with the near-zero spreads on major pairs, positions the Zero account as one of the most competitive account types in the industry. It's an interesting alternative among the forex trading account types on the market.
The style best suited for the Zero account closely mirrors that of the Raw Spread account. It's exceptional for high-volume traders, scalpers, and those employing EAs who primarily focus on major currency pairs and other top instruments where the 0.0 pips spread is consistently available. The execution is generally market execution, which is vital for quick entries and exits. Leverage once again goes up to 1:400 for Kenyan traders.
Who is Zero best suited for?
Zero is great for high volumes, particularly those who frequently trade major currency pairs. If your strategy thrives on the absolute lowest possible spreads on common instruments and you're comfortable with a minimal commission per trade, Zero offers unparalleled cost efficiency. Compared with the other account types, Zero is a prime choice for optimizing the profitability of high-frequency and automated strategies.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the "best" Exness account type for a Kenyan trader isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. It's a personalized decision, driven by your unique profile. Navigating the various options requires careful consideration.
If you're a newcomer or operating with a smaller initial deposit, Standard offers an excellent, user-friendly entry point. Its simplicity and commission-free structure make it a solid foundation.
If you're an experienced trader with a larger budget, actively engaged in day trading or scalping, and prefer tight spreads without the added layer of commissions, Pro will be your preferred choice from the professional offering. It offers a compelling blend of features suited to your needs.
For serious scalpers, high-frequency traders, or EA users who demand the absolute lowest possible spreads and are comfortable with a clear, per-lot commission, the Raw Spread is designed to optimize your costs.
If your strategy focuses heavily on major currency pairs and you prioritize near-zero spreads above all else, even with a minimal commission, Zero offers unparalleled cost efficiency for high-volume trading. This is one of the most aggressive options for cost reduction.
Before making your final decision, consider testing the Demo. This risk-free option allows you to explore the conditions with virtual funds, giving you a tangible feel for the spreads, execution, and overall experience without any financial commitment.
Note:
¹ Delays and slippage may occur. No guarantee of execution speed or precision is provided.
² Tightest and most stable spread claims refer to the lowest maximum spreads and the tightest average spreads on the Exness Pro account, for XAUUSD, USOIL, and BTCUSD, based on data collected from 25 August to 7 September 2024, when compared to the corresponding spreads across commission-free accounts of other brokers.
This is not investment advice. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Your capital is at risk, please trade responsibly.
Author:
Paul Reid
Paul Reid is a financial journalist dedicated to uncovering hidden fundamental connections that can give traders an advantage. Focusing primarily on the stock market, Paul's instincts for identifying major company shifts is well established from following the financial markets for over a decade.