Which broker is better for Portugal traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Portugal has a growing community of retail forex traders who look for reliable, regulated brokers with low costs and local payment options. AvaTrade and EasyMarkets are two well‑known EU‑regulated brokers that accept Portuguese clients, but they differ significantly in features and pricing. AvaTrade holds a 4.6/5 rating on CompareBroker.io, praised for its tight spreads, multiple platforms (MetaTrader 4/5, AvaTradeGO), and extensive asset range. EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5, offering a simpler experience with fixed spreads and unique risk‑management tools like deal cancellation. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals easy for Portuguese residents. This comparison will help you decide which broker matches your trading style, whether you prioritise cost efficiency, platform choice or beginner‑friendly features.
| 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 Portuguese traders, trading costs are a key factor. AvaTrade uses variable spreads that start at 0.9 pips on EUR/USD and can narrow further with higher volume, appealing to active scalpers and day traders. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads from 1 pip, which remain stable even during volatile news events but are typically slightly wider. AvaTrade has no commission on most forex pairs, while EasyMarkets also avoids commissions on standard accounts. Over a month of frequent trading, AvaTrade can save Portuguese traders several pips in spread costs, making it the more cost‑effective option for those who trade larger lot sizes or hold positions for shorter periods.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice matters for Portuguese traders. AvaTrade provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus its own AvaTradeGO and WebTrader platforms, all available in Portuguese language. This gives flexibility for both desktop and mobile traders. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web‑based platform, MetaTrader 4, and a mobile app. While EasyMarkets’ platform is intuitive and beginner‑friendly, AvaTrade’s broader platform range – especially MT4/5 with advanced charting and automated trading – suits experienced traders. Both brokers offer demo accounts, but AvaTrade’s platform variety gives Portuguese traders more room to grow.
| 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 is important for Portuguese traders, especially those using scalping strategies. AvaTrade uses market execution for MetaTrader accounts and DMA (Direct Market Access) for its proprietary platform, providing fast fills with minimal slippage. EasyMarkets uses a no‑dealing‑desk model with fixed spreads and immediate execution, ideal for news trading. AvaTrade has lower average slippage during volatile periods, while EasyMarkets offers guaranteed stop‑loss orders to mitigate slippage risk. Both are reliable, but AvaTrade’s execution is generally favoured by active traders.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is crucial for Portuguese traders. AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) and holds licenses across several jurisdictions. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus. Both brokers operate under EU MiFID II rules, which means Portuguese clients get negative balance protection, segregated client funds and access to the local compensation scheme (up to €20,000). The Portuguese financial regulator (CMVM) recognises both licences through passporting. AvaTrade’s regulation under the CBI is often considered slightly more stringent, adding an extra layer of trust for risk‑averse Portuguese investors.
| 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) |
Portuguese traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Bank transfers are free but take 1–3 business days; e‑wallets and USDT TRC20 are instant and also free. Minimum deposits are $100 for each broker. Withdrawals follow the same methods: bank transfer (1–3 days), e‑wallets (24 hours) and USDT TRC20 (same day). AvaTrade allows multiple base currencies, but for USD accounts conversion fees may apply if depositing in euros. EasyMarkets also offers no‑fee deposits via these methods. Overall, both brokers provide smooth, low‑cost banking for Portugal residents, with e‑wallets and USDT being the fastest options.
| 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 |
For Muslim traders in Portugal, both AvaTrade and EasyMarkets offer swap‑free (Islamic) accounts that comply with Sharia law. These accounts eliminate interest charges on overnight positions. To activate an Islamic account, Portuguese traders must submit a declaration of faith or equivalent documentation. AvaTrade provides swap‑free on all major forex pairs, indices and commodities, while EasyMarkets extends it to their full range. Execution and leverage remain the same as standard accounts. This makes both brokers accessible to Portugal’s growing Muslim community seeking Sharia‑compliant trading.
| 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 in Portuguese at both brokers. AvaTrade offers 24/5 live chat, phone and email, with a local Lisbon phone number for faster assistance. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and email, but phone support is in English only. Both have extensive FAQ sections in Portuguese. AvaTrade’s multi‑channel approach and localised phone support give it a slight edge for Portuguese traders who prefer speaking in their native language.
| 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 Portuguese retail traders, AvaTrade emerges as the stronger overall broker with a higher score (4.6 vs 3.4). Its tighter spreads, wider platform choice (including MT5), and stronger regulatory oversight (CBI) make it ideal for traders who want to scale their activity. The support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20 ensures seamless banking in Portugal, while the local financial regulator (CMVM) oversight adds confidence. EasyMarkets remains a solid alternative for beginners who value cost predictability and risk‑control features, but its lower rating reflects narrower product scope. We recommend AvaTrade as the primary choice for most Portuguese traders seeking value and flexibility.