AvaTrade vs EasyMarkets 2026: Which Is Better for Canadian Traders?
Which broker is better for Canada traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Canada Traders
For Canadian traders seeking a reliable forex and CFD broker, the choice between AvaTrade and EasyMarkets comes down to cost, regulation, and trading style. Both brokers accept Canadian residents, support CAD deposits, and offer local payment methods like Interac, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. However, their approach differs significantly. AvaTrade holds an IIROC license (Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada), meaning it operates under strict local oversight, while EasyMarkets is regulated offshore by CySEC for its international clients, including Canadians. Starting with a minimum deposit of $100 CAD (AvaTrade) or $100 USD (EasyMarkets), Canadian traders can access a wide range of markets from forex and indices to commodities and cryptocurrencies. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation, and account features to help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading goals in 2025.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 | AvaTrade |
When comparing trading costs for Canadian traders, AvaTrade consistently offers lower spreads. On EUR/USD, AvaTrade’s average spread is 0.9 pips, while EasyMarkets charges 1.2–1.5 pips fixed. For USD/CAD—a key pair for locals—AvaTrade’s variable spreads average 1.1 pips, versus EasyMarkets’ fixed 1.7 pips. Commission structures differ: AvaTrade charges no commissions on forex, while EasyMarkets applies a small commission on certain instruments. For high-volume traders, AvaTrade’s cost advantage grows, as lower spreads reduce per-trade expenses. Both brokers offer Raw/Zero accounts, but EasyMarkets’ top-tier account still has wider average spreads.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 |
Leverage Comparison - Canada Traders
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Canadian traders benefit from a wide platform choice at AvaTrade: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO (mobile), and WebTrader, plus advanced tools like Trading Central and DupliTrade for copy trading. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary EasyWeb and EasyTrade platforms, plus a mobile app, but lacks MT4/MT5 integration. For Canadian traders who prefer automated trading or Expert Advisors, AvaTrade is the clear winner. EasyMarkets’ platforms are beginner-friendly with simple order tickets and built-in risk management, but they lack the depth that experienced traders often demand.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
AvaTrade uses STP (Straight Through Processing) with No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, ensuring no requotes and fast order processing. EasyMarkets operates on a market-maker model with some fixed spreads and manual intervention possible during volatile events. For Canadian traders trading during active North American sessions (e.g., USD/CAD), AvaTrade’s execution is generally faster and more reliable, especially for scalping strategies. EasyMarkets’ execution is adequate for swing traders but may suffer from slippage during news releases.
Regulation & Safety for Canada Traders
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for Canadian traders. AvaTrade is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), providing up to $1 million in protection per account. This means Canadian funds are held in segregated accounts and subject to strict capital adequacy rules. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FSA (Seychelles) for its international clients; it does not hold an IIROC license. While EasyMarkets also segregates client funds and participates in the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000), the level of protection is less robust than IIROC/cipf supervision. For Canadian traders who prioritize local oversight and maximum security, AvaTrade offers a clear regulatory advantage.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Canada
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Canadian traders using both brokers. Bank Transfer: Both accept wire transfers in CAD/USD with processing times of 1–3 business days; AvaTrade does not charge fees, but intermediary banks may apply charges. Interac: AvaTrade processes Interac e-Transfers instantly and free of charge (minimum $100 CAD). EasyMarkets also accepts Interac with same-day processing; deposits are free, but withdrawals via Interac may incur a small fee (around 1–2%). Credit Card: Visa/Mastercard deposits are free at both brokers, but EasyMarkets charges a 2% fee on credit card withdrawals. Overall, AvaTrade offers more fee-free deposit/withdrawal options and faster processing for Interac, which is the most popular method among Canadian traders.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Canada Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both brokers provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Canadian Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. AvaTrade offers unlimited swap-free accounts on request for all instruments, with no hidden fees and no expiration date. EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts but may restrict them to certain account types or require a minimum deposit of $500 USD. Additionally, EasyMarkets reserves the right to convert an Islamic account to a standard account if there is evidence of arbitrage. For Canadian Muslim traders seeking flexibility and long-term use, AvaTrade’s policy is more accommodating.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
Customer support is available to Canadian traders via live chat, email, and phone from both brokers. AvaTrade provides 24/5 multilingual support with a dedicated Canadian phone line (+1 416 646 4599) and a Toronto office. EasyMarkets also offers 24/5 support but relies on international teams (Israel/Europe), with no Canadian-specific contact. Response times are generally fast, but AvaTrade’s local presence gives it an edge for Canadian clients needing immediate assistance during market hours.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
AvaTrade
EasyMarkets
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Canada Guide
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Want IIROC regulation and CIPF protection for up to $1 million.
- Prefer low variable spreads on forex and CAD pairs.
- Need advanced platforms like MT4/MT5 with Expert Advisors.
- Use Interac for frequent deposits and withdrawals without fees.
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
- Are a beginner wanting a simple, all-in-one platform with fixed spreads.
- Trade during volatile news events and want spread certainty.
- Prefer a broker with a strong educational section and risk management tools.
- Don’t require IIROC oversight and are comfortable with offshore regulation.
FAQ - AvaTrade vs EasyMarkets in Canada
Final Verdict - Canada 2026
For Canadian traders, AvaTrade wins decisively. Its IIROC regulation, lower spreads, wider platform selection, and fee-free Interac deposits make it the stronger choice for most retail traders. The $1 million CIPF protection adds peace of mind rarely available from international brokers. EasyMarkets appeals to beginners with its simple interface and fixed spreads, but the higher costs and lack of local regulation limit its appeal for serious Canadian traders. If you value regulation, cost efficiency, and platform power, go with AvaTrade. If you are a new trader prioritizing simplicity and spread certainty, EasyMarkets could be an acceptable starting point, but be aware of its higher trading costs and offshore oversight.