Exness account types explained: Choosing the right one in South Africa

So, you've decided to begin trading and have chosen Exness as your broker. Now comes your next big decision: which account type best suits your goals and circumstances? Well, this walkthrough will help you answer that question as we explore the different Exness account types and their minimum deposit requirements in rands.

Why account choice matters

Every Exness account gives you access to commodities, indices, stocks, forex, and other popular cryptocurrencies. The real differences are trading costs, such as minimum deposit, and how each account handles spreads and commissions. You may also experience different costs depending on your preferred payment system.

The Standard account Exness: A friendly starting point

As Exness account types go, most South Africans begin with the Standard account Exness offers because of the low barrier to entry, roughly 190 ZAR (~10 USD).

Note: Rand values differ depending on USDZAR rates. For more accurate values, check the latest exchange rates.

This small deposit allows beginners to get an initial feel for real trading without becoming overwhelmed. It’s perfect for anyone moving from a demo account, part‑time hobbyists who trade a handful of times per month, or curious strategy testers who want real‑world data instead of simulated fills.

A typical path looks like this: open your Exness profile in the Personal Area, choose ZAR as your base currency, deposit that modest 190 ZAR, and you are ready to place a few micro trades to familiarize yourself with market moves and the trading platform.

Standard account summary

The low minimum deposit on the Standard account is a friendly entry point for traders at all levels. It’s accessible, flexible, and packed with easy-to-use features. 

Beginners will appreciate the low deposit requirements and straightforward fee structure.

Intermediate traders can take advantage of a wide range of instruments and competitive spreads. Explore basic strategies or refine advanced ones. This account lays a solid foundation for pursuing your financial goals.

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When “beginner” no longer describes you: The professional suite

Fast‑forward a few months. You’ve logged hundreds of trades, you know the difference between a pip and a point, and you’ve started to notice the spread costs. That’s usually the cue to look at the professional tiers, the Pro, Zero, and Raw Spread accounts. These require a larger deposit, roughly  9,000 ZAR (~500 USD) and up, but reward you with tighter pricing and faster execution.

The Pro account Exness: Made for more advanced traders

The Exness pro account is the easiest upgrade: spreads shrink to about 0.1 pips, and you don’t pay a separate commission. If you trade intraday news around SARB (South African Reserve Bank) announcements or chase swing setups that stay open for a few days, the Pro account’s reliable execution keeps requotes to a minimum while the lower spread trims your trading costs.

The Pro Exness account type is a favorite among seasoned traders who appreciate simplicity combined with advanced features. Even though the minimum deposit is slightly higher for professional traders, it’s still a very comfortable way to test Exness’ features and trading conditions.

Unlike other professional accounts that charge commissions, the Pro account includes all costs in its spreads. This is regardless of the exchange rate, starting at an impressive 0.1 pips. This makes it a superb choice for those looking for cost efficiency and straightforward pricing.

For day traders, the Pro account’s precise execution is a significant advantage as Exness fills orders as close as possible to the requested price with minimal chance of requotes or delays. This is advantageous for strategies that depend on speed and timing during volatile market conditions.

Swing traders also benefit from the account’s tight spreads over medium-term trades. This helps to keep costs down while staying profitable.

The Pro account is especially suited for traders focusing on forex pairs, metals, or indices. It’s perfect for those who want to avoid the hassle of commission calculations. The minimum deposit amount of approximately 9,000 ZAR offers a relatively low entry point for professionals while providing premium trading conditions.

The Zero account from Exness: Made for efficient traders

The Zero account is built for precision. Major currency pairs often show 0.0 pip spreads for most of the day. Instead of a spread markup, you pay a small flat commission—about 1.00 ZAR (~0.05 USD) per lot per side. If you scalp for single‑digit‑pip gains, that predictable fee can make trading and accounting more manageable.

Exness has tailored the Zero account to traders who need absolute accuracy in pricing, especially with spreads starting at 0.0 pips for major forex pairs. This account keeps trading costs low while ensuring predictable expenses. The fixed commission structure of 1.00 ZAR (~0.05 USD) per lot per side makes it stand out, providing the transparency that’s essential for high-frequency traders and algorithmic systems.

Algorithmic traders thrive with the Zero account. The market execution model ensures fast order fulfillment without requotes. Scalpers will also find this account appealing. It eliminates spread-related costs, allowing for zero-spreads trading while keeping commission fees low.

Yes, the minimum deposit is higher, but it reflects the premium features designed for serious traders optimizing their strategies. This account really is a solid choice for those whose trading style revolves around precision and cost efficiency.

The Raw Spread account: Made for large volume traders

The Raw Spread account drops you right onto institutional pricing. Spreads start at 0.0 pips, but commission is slightly higher, around 63 ZAR (~3.50 USD) per lot per side. Volume scalpers prefer the Raw Spread account for its ultra-low spread costs, optimized for high daily trading volumes. If you’re firing off positions every few minutes, the math often favours Raw Spread over any other accounts.

This account also gives you direct access to market liquidity, and the best part? No markup on spreads. This is a big plus for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Scalping strategies really shine with the Raw Spread Account, as it keeps overall costs down across frequent trades. Traders who execute dozens of positions per day will appreciate these ultra-low spreads and transparent commission structure while trading a wide range of instruments. With a minimum deposit requirement of approximately 9,000 ZAR, the Raw Spread Account is ideal for experienced traders who prioritize cost efficiency over simplicity.

Trading strategies that align with Professional accounts

Professional accounts support advanced trading strategies thanks to their premium features:

• Scalpers can take advantage of ultra-tight spreads (Raw Spread) or zero spreads (Zero). They can also enjoy fast execution models to capitalize on short-term price movements.
• Automated strategies thrive in environments with predictable costs (Zero) or direct market access (Raw Spread).
• Exness fills trades quickly thanks to the Pro Account’s reliable execution, even during volatile sessions. This is crucial for timing-based strategies like news trading or momentum trading.
• The wide range of instruments available across all professional accounts allows traders to spread risk effectively.

Each professional account caters to different trading needs:

• Pro Account: Great for day traders and swing traders who want fast and reliable execution and tight spreads without commissions. It’s perfect for those looking for straightforward pricing while keeping costs down on medium-term trades.
• Zero Account: Ideal for algorithmic traders and scalpers who need precise pricing on zero-spread instruments. The fixed commission structure ensures predictable costs for high-frequency strategies that require execution accuracy.
• Raw Spread Account: Tailored for scalpers and high-volume traders. Perfect for traders who want to minimize spread-related expenses and gain direct access to market liquidity without complications.

More reasons for South Africans to consider Exness

Beyond pricing, Exness appeals to local traders because it’s regulated by the FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) and offers 24/7 live chat support in English. Variable leverage is available if you ever need it (though I’d keep it low while learning as it multiplies losses as well as gains).  As for spreads and commissions, none of the accounts hide any surprise; all costs and charges are listed up front.

Final thoughts

After reviewing the different Exness account types, choosing the right one may still feel daunting, but don't fret; choosing one is not a lifelong commitment. Think of it as upgrading your running shoes. You begin with an affordable pair, get a feel for running, and then buy a performance pair once you start clocking some serious mileage.

If you’re brand new to trading and a little nervous, opening the Standard account with Exness offers and invest the amount you would usually spend on a small weekend braai. When trading feels natural to you—and only then—consider one of the pro account that Exness offerings.

And lastly, don’t forget: trade smart, set that stop loss so you can sleep easier, and above all, enjoy the learning curve.

This is not investment advice. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Your capital is at risk, please trade responsibly.