Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italian retail traders evaluating AvaTrade vs EasyMarkets, the choice hinges on trading costs, platform flexibility, and local regulatory compliance. Both brokers are authorised by CONSOB and adhere to ESMA guidelines, ensuring high safety standards for clients in Italy. AvaTrade leads with a 4.6/5 rating, offering a robust ecosystem of MetaTrader 4/5, proprietary platforms, and over 1,250 instruments. EasyMarkets, scored 3.4/5, appeals to beginners with its simplified web platform, fixed spreads, and risk management tools like DealCancellation. Both support Italian payment methods such as SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PostePay, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. This comparison focuses on key Italian trader needs: low EUR-pair spreads, reliable execution, local customer support, and compliance with CONSOB rules to help you decide which broker matches your trading style.
| 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 |
Italian traders prioritise cost efficiency, especially on EUR-based pairs. AvaTrade’s floating spreads on EUR/USD start from 0.9 pips with no commission, while EasyMarkets fixes spreads at around 1.2–1.3 pips. For active traders executing larger volumes, AvaTrade’s variable spreads reduce overall costs, particularly during high liquidity hours. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads offer predictability but are generally wider. Swap rates are also relevant: AvaTrade’s swaps are competitive, while EasyMarkets eliminates swaps entirely on its swap-free accounts. When trading 10 lots per week, AvaTrade can save traders 20–30 EUR monthly compared to EasyMarkets. Always check the broker’s current spread schedule, as costs vary by account type and trading session.
| 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 |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 |
| 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 |
| Platform | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
For Italian traders, platform flexibility matters. AvaTrade provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the industry standards with advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. It also offers the proprietary AvaTradeGO app for mobile trading. EasyMarkets provides its own web-based platform and mobile app, designed for simplicity with one-click trading, charting, and risk tools like free guaranteed stop-loss. While EasyMarkets is intuitive for beginners, serious Italian traders often prefer AvaTrade’s broader ecosystem, especially for algorithmic strategies or multi-asset analysis. Both platforms are available in Italian language, but AvaTrade’s MT4/MT5 integration is more familiar to experienced local traders.
| 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 |
Execution quality directly impacts Italian traders, especially during volatile sessions. AvaTrade uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with straight-through processing (STP), offering low latency and minimal requotes. EasyMarkets employs a market maker model with fixed spreads and instant execution; while this avoids slippage, it may lead to wider spreads during news events. AvaTrade’s execution speed averages under 50 ms, suitable for scalping and news strategies. EasyMarkets is adequate for slower, position-based trading. Both provide negative balance protection as per CONSOB rules.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Italian traders. Both AvaTrade and EasyMarkets are regulated in the European Union under MiFID II and are authorised by CONSOB, Italy’s financial regulator. AvaTrade is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) and registered with CONSOB. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and also passes MiFID passport rights to Italy. Both adhere to ESMA rules, including leverage limits (max 30:1 for retail clients), negative balance protection, and segregated client funds. For Italian residents, this means deposits up to 20,000 EUR are covered under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) in Cyprus for EasyMarkets, while AvaTrade clients are covered under Ireland’s ICF (up to 20,000 EUR). CONSOB oversight ensures both brokers comply with local marketing and client protection standards.
| 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) |
Italian traders can fund their accounts using SEPA bank transfers, standard bank transfers, and PostePay, among other methods. With AvaTrade, SEPA deposits are processed within 1–2 business days with zero fees; PostePay deposits are instant and free for amounts up to 500 EUR per transaction. EasyMarkets also supports these local methods: SEPA transfers are free and take 1–2 days, while PostePay works instantly with no commission. Both brokers accept credit/debit cards and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller for faster deposits. Withdrawals with AvaTrade are processed via bank transfer (1–3 days, free) or e-wallets (24 hours, no fee). EasyMarkets offers similar withdrawal processing: bank transfers within 1–3 business days and e-wallets within 24 hours. Neither broker charges internal fees for deposits, but bank transfers may incur intermediary charges. For Italian traders, using PostePay or SEPA keeps costs minimal.
| 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 |
Italian Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant accounts can utilise both brokers’ swap-free options. AvaTrade offers Islamic accounts on MT4 and MT5 with no overnight interest (swap) charged or credited. Positions held beyond the daily rollover are not subject to interest adjustments. EasyMarkets also provides a dedicated Islamic account under its standard platform, with the same swap-free benefit. Both require a formal request and verification of religious affiliation. AvaTrade’s Islamic account covers forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. EasyMarkets extends its swap-free feature to all instruments, including its popular dealCancellation product. Italian traders should note that swap-free accounts may have longer holding periods before being charged a fee on very old positions. Both brokers comply with ESMA’s rules on such accounts.
| 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 |
Italian traders value responsive customer service in their native language. AvaTrade offers 24/5 live chat, phone support (including an Italian-speaking team), and email with typical response times under 2 hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and multilingual phone support, including Italian, but response times can be slower during peak hours. AvaTrade’s help centre includes Italian-language articles and video tutorials. EasyMarkets also has a knowledge base in Italian. For direct assistance, AvaTrade’s priority support for active clients is a plus.
| 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 |
| Resource | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Italian traders, AvaTrade stands out as the stronger overall choice, earning a 4.6/5 rating versus EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. Its combination of low-cost spreads, advanced platforms (MT4/MT5), extensive asset diversity, and solid regulation by CONSOB and the Central Bank of Ireland align well with the needs of retail traders in Italy. EasyMarkets is a decent alternative for beginners prioritising simplicity and fixed costs, but its higher spreads and limited platform options hold it back. Both brokers support local payments such as SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PostePay, ensuring seamless EUR deposits and withdrawals. If you value trading efficiency and low costs under CONSOB oversight, AvaTrade is the recommended choice; if you prefer a risk-controlled environment with fixed costs, EasyMarkets serves as a viable secondary option.