Short answer
Pocket Option is ahead on our score, 4.1/5 against 3.5/5 for Exnova.
Pocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders
Skip Pocket Option if: You want a regulator behind your money, or contests make you trade too much
Exnova fits: A full-featured platform on a small budget
Skip Exnova if: You need a licensed firm or an outside complaints route
Score by score
Pocket Option 4.1/5
- Platform and apps4.7
- Costs and minimums4.8
- Payment options4.6
- Support4.2
- Licensing and openness2.6
Exnova 3.5/5
- Platform and apps4.2
- Costs and minimums4.0
- Payment options3.8
- Support3.6
- Licensing and openness2.0
How the two sites look
Pocket Option and Exnova in brief
Pocket Option (2017). Pocket Option has run since 2017 and is built around short fixed-time trades: choose up or down and a timer, and a correct call pays a set percentage. Next to the chart sit copy trading, a signals panel and regular contests. An MT5 account for forex and CFDs is offered separately.
Exnova (2021). Exnova appeared in 2021 with fixed-time options, digital options and leveraged CFDs on one platform, and an interface close to the market leaders.
Licence and safetyBetter here: Pocket Option
Neither Pocket Option nor Exnova is authorised by a leading regulator or by any regulator in Asia. Both run through offshore companies, so there is no compensation fund and no local authority to complain to.
Official warnings and alert-list entries we found: Pocket Option 4, Exnova 0.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | No leading or Asian regulator. Pocket Option cites an offshore MISA licence from the Comoros. | No. Digital Smart LLC in St Vincent and the Grenadines runs it; the Cyprus company only processes payments. |
| Official warnings we found | FCA, CFTC, RBI, Bank of Russia | – |
| Dispute body | No outside dispute body | No outside dispute body |
On licensing and openness Pocket Option scores higher (2.6 vs 2.0).
Entry cost and chargesBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option is cheaper to open: its minimum deposit is $5, compared with $10 at Exnova. The smallest trade is $1 on Pocket Option and $1 on Exnova.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Lowest trade | $1 | $1 |
| Charges | No pay-in fee listed; currency conversion costs can apply | One free withdrawal a month, then 2% (USD 30 cap); dormant fee |
| Pay-out charges | None from the platform; your payment provider may charge | First withdrawal each month free, then 2% (max. USD 30) |
| Dormant account fee | Not mentioned in the sources we checked – read the current terms | After 90 days without activity |
| Bonus | Deposit bonuses, often 50–100%, with volume rules that can block withdrawals | No standard deposit bonus; low-entry contests |
Payouts and the win rate you needBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option advertises the higher top payout (92% vs 90%), which cuts the win rate you need to break even from 52.6% to 52.1%.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| Top payout | 92% | 90% |
| Win rate to break even | 52.1% | 52.6% |
| Note | 92% applies to popular assets at busy hours; quieter hours are reported 7–12 points lower | Up to about 90% on fixed-time; varies by asset and time |
Top payouts apply to a few assets at the busiest hours. Look at the payout on the trade ticket before you open a trade; it is often lower.
Platform and phone appsBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option. A browser platform with several chart styles, indicators and drawing tools. Copy trading and signals sit beside the chart, which makes it easy for a beginner to copy trades before understanding them.
Exnova. In-house web platform plus a desktop app, with multiple charts, indicators and drawing tools; one of the most complete here and light on older computers.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Browser, Android, iPhone, MT5 (forex) | Browser, Desktop app, Android, iPhone |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone | Browser app only | Yes |
| Extras | Copy trading, Contests, Small minimum | Small minimum, In-house platform, Strong charts, Desktop app, Contests |
Instruments and trade durations
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| Instruments | 100+ | 250+ |
| Markets | Currencies, Crypto, Commodities, Shares, Indices | Currencies, Crypto, Commodities, Shares, Indices, ETFs |
| Trade durations | 3 seconds – 4 hours | 1 minute – 1 hour (fixed-time); free choice on digitals |
Paying in and cashing outBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option. Money normally goes back the way it came in. Your ID and address are checked before the first pay-out. An active bonus can block a withdrawal until its volume is reached.
Exnova. Full verification required; usually 1–3 working days. User reviews repeatedly mention delayed or blocked withdrawals, so start small and test a withdrawal.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-in methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods |
| Pay-out methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods |
| Smallest withdrawal | $10 | $10 |
| Pay-out speed | Typically 1–3 working days; crypto often quicker (user reports) | 1–3 working days per the platform; complaints of delays |
Practice accountLevel
Both have a free practice account, so you can try the two platforms with virtual money before depositing.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| Practice balance | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Try without signing up | Yes | – |
SupportBetter here: Pocket Option
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Exnova |
|---|---|---|
| How to reach support | Live chat, Email, Help pages | Live chat, Email, Help pages |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 3.6/5 |
Which markets they acceptBetter here: Exnova
Pocket Option accepts residents of 17 of the markets we cover, Exnova of 18.
Only Exnova: 1 markets
Philippines
Strengths and weak points
Pocket Option
- +Accounts open from USD 5 and trades from USD 1
- +Copy trading and contests on the same screen as the chart
- +Many ways to pay in, including crypto and local agents in Asia
- +Light web platform that runs well on a phone
- −Only an offshore Comoros licence
- −Named by the UK FCA, the US CFTC and India's RBI
- −Bonuses lock your balance behind trading volume
- −Refuses residents of the Philippines and Japan
Exnova
- +USD 10 deposits and trades from USD 1
- +Polished platform on web, desktop, Android and iPhone
- +Free USD 10,000 demo
- +Over 250 instruments including shares and ETFs
- −No public regulator licence
- −Short history: launched in 2021
- −Frequent complaints of delayed or blocked withdrawals
- −Fee after the first free withdrawal each month
So, Pocket Option or Exnova?
Pocket Option is better in 6 of 7 categories here. Pocket Option is ahead on our score, 4.1/5 against 3.5/5 for Exnova.
Our choice: Pocket Option
Our pickPocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders
+50% bonusConditions
Go to Pocket OptionWhichever you pick, practise on the demo first, keep the first deposit small and withdraw part of it before adding more. Binary options are high-risk and most retail accounts lose money.
Quick answers
Pocket Option or Exnova: which is better?
Pocket Option is ahead on our score (4.1/5 vs 3.5/5). Pocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders. Exnova fits: A full-featured platform on a small budget.
Which needs a smaller deposit, Pocket Option or Exnova?
Pocket Option is cheaper to open: its minimum deposit is $5, compared with $10 at Exnova.
Which pays more, Pocket Option or Exnova?
Pocket Option advertises the higher top payout (92% vs 90%), which cuts the win rate you need to break even from 52.6% to 52.1%.
Does any regulator supervise Pocket Option or Exnova?
No leading regulator and no Asian regulator licenses either of them. Both work through offshore companies, so your money has little protection.