Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Norway traders seeking reliable forex brokers often compare AvaTrade and EasyMarkets due to their strong global presence and local accessibility. AvaTrade holds a score of 4.6/5, while EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5, reflecting differences in regulation, cost structure, and platform features. Both brokers accept Norwegian clients and support USD accounts, which is convenient for trading major currency pairs. They also offer local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals straightforward. Norway's financial regulator, Finanstilsynet, oversees all trading activities under ESMA rules, ensuring investor protection. This comparison helps you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, risk tolerance, and preference for variable or fixed spreads.
| 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 |
For Norway traders, trading costs are a key factor. AvaTrade offers variable spreads starting from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, with no commissions for standard accounts. High-volume traders benefit from tighter spreads and lower overall costs. EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads from 1.0 pips, which eliminates uncertainty but can be slightly higher on average. On popular pairs like EUR/NOK and USD/NOK, AvaTrade's variable model often yields better value, especially for frequent trades. Swap rates are competitive on both platforms, though Islamic accounts are available for those avoiding interest. Traders should consider their trade frequency and typical stake sizes when choosing.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
AvaTrade offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary AvaTradeGO app, providing advanced charting, custom indicators, and automated trading via Expert Advisors. This appeals to Norwegian traders who value technical analysis and algorithmic strategies. EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web and mobile platform alongside MT4, focusing on simplicity and user-friendly design. Its platform includes features like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop loss. Both platforms are available in English, with EasyMarkets offering some support in Scandinavian languages. For mobile trading on the go, both offer responsive apps suitable for Norwegian 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 |
AvaTrade uses STP/ECN execution with no dealing desk, providing fast, direct market access and minimal requotes. This suits Norwegian traders who trade volatile pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/JPY. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, eliminating slippage but potentially causing requotes during extreme volatility. AvaTrade's execution speed is generally superior due to its infrastructure, while EasyMarkets focuses on order certainty and fixed costs.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (EU), ASIC, and other top-tier authorities, ensuring compliance with ESMA's leverage caps (1:30 for retail) and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC, also adhering to ESMA rules. For Norway traders, this means deposits are protected under EU investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000 for Cyprus). While AvaTrade's multiple regulatory licenses provide broader oversight, both brokers meet the standards set by Finanstilsynet. Norwegian clients can trade confidently knowing leverage limits and protection measures are in place.
| 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) |
Deposits and withdrawals for Norway traders are straightforward at both brokers. AvaTrade and EasyMarkets support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank transfers from Norwegian banks are free but can take 1-3 business days; e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) are instant with no fees. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed in minutes with low network fees, ideal for quick funding. Minimum deposits vary: AvaTrade requires $100 for standard accounts, while EasyMarkets requires $250. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while bank transfers may take 1-2 days. No deposit fees are charged by the brokers, but users should confirm any bank charges.
| 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 AvaTrade and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Norway. These accounts eliminate overnight interest on positions, aligning with Sharia principles. AvaTrade provides Islamic accounts upon request after registration; however, positions held for long periods may incur a small administrative fee. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts automatically with no additional charges, though availability may be limited to certain account types. Both brokers require verification of eligibility. For Norwegian Muslim traders, these accounts allow participation in forex trading without interest-based swaps.
| 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 |
AvaTrade offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with fast response times in English. Localized support for Norwegian traders is limited but generally sufficient. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support with multilingual agents, including Scandinavian languages, making it slightly more accessible for Norwegian speakers. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources, including webinars and tutorials. For urgent issues, live chat is the most effective channel on either platform.
| 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 most Norway traders, AvaTrade emerges as the better choice due to its higher rating (4.6/5), lower variable spreads, advanced platforms, and strong regulatory oversight. It accepts local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and complies with Finanstilsynet's supervision under ESMA. EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for those who value fixed spreads and simplicity, especially beginners or traders who dislike variable costs. However, given AvaTrade's broader offerings and better overall value for retail traders in USD accounts, it is the recommended broker for Norway in 2025.