Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Romania's retail trading community continues to grow, with more investors seeking reliable forex brokers that accept RON deposits and comply with ASF Romania. Two popular choices are AvaTrade (score 4.6/5) and EasyMarkets (3.4/5). Both are regulated locally, but they differ significantly in cost, platform variety, and features. AvaTrade offers a comprehensive trading environment with over 1,200 instruments, competitive spreads, and advanced platforms like MT4, MT5, and AvaTradeGO. EasyMarkets, while simpler, provides a user-friendly web trader and fixed spreads – ideal for beginners. This comparison focuses on what matters most for Romanian traders: local payment methods (Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill), regulatory protection, and cost efficiency in RON.
| 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 |
Cost is a key differentiator for Romania traders. AvaTrade offers variable spreads starting from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, with lower costs for higher trading volumes. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that average 1.5 pips on the same pair, which can be less competitive. For active traders who trade multiple lots daily, AvaTrade's spread structure saves significant money. Additionally, AvaTrade charges no commission on standard accounts, while EasyMarkets includes all costs in the spread. Romanian traders should also consider swap rates and overnight fees – AvaTrade's are typically lower. Overall, AvaTrade is more cost-effective for frequent trading.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (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 provides multiple platforms popular among Romanian traders: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own web/ mobile platform (AvaTradeGO). This versatility suits both technical analysts and beginners. EasyMarkets offers only its proprietary web trader and a mobile app, lacking MT4/MT5. For Romanian traders who rely on automated trading or advanced charting, AvaTrade is the clear winner. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler and easier to navigate, ideal for casual traders. Both offer demo accounts, but AvaTrade's platform selection better meets the needs of Romania's growing retail community.
| 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 boasts fast execution with no requotes on its proprietary platforms, using STP/ECN model for major pairs. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to occasional slippage during volatile news events. Romanian traders who day trade or scalp will benefit from AvaTrade's speed and transparency. EasyMarkets execution is reliable for longer-term trades but less suitable for high-frequency strategies.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are authorized by ASF Romania (Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară), ensuring compliance with European MiFID regulations. AvaTrade holds additional licenses from the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) and other top-tier regulators, providing a higher level of financial safety. EasyMarkets is regulated by ASF and CySEC (Cyprus), which is adequate but less comprehensive. For Romanian traders, ASF regulation means client funds are segregated and negative balance protection is enforced. AvaTrade's multi-jurisdictional oversight offers an extra layer of security. Always check the latest ASF registry before depositing.
| 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) |
Romanian traders can fund both accounts using Bank Transfer, Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), and Skrill – all in RON. AvaTrade processes deposits instantly for cards and e-wallets, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Minimum deposit at AvaTrade is $100 (roughly 460 RON), while EasyMarkets requires $250 (around 1,150 RON). Withdrawals are free at both brokers, but EasyMarkets charges a small fee for bank transfers. Skrill withdrawals at AvaTrade are processed within 24 hours; EasyMarkets takes 1-3 business days. For smaller deposits, AvaTrade is more accessible. Credit card deposits are widely used among Romanian traders for speed.
| 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 Romania who require Sharia-compliant trading. AvaTrade's Islamic account is available on all platforms and maintains no overnight interest charges on positions held beyond one day. EasyMarkets also provides swap-free accounts, but traders must request it and meet a minimum trading activity requirement. Both brokers ensure that spreads or commissions are adjusted to cover costs. Romanian Muslim traders should confirm the specific terms with customer support before opening an account, as eligibility criteria may vary.
| 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 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email – including Romanian language assistance during European hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support in English and limited Romanian through live chat and email. Response times are faster at AvaTrade (under 2 minutes on chat). For Romanian traders who prefer local language help, AvaTrade is the better option. Both have extensive FAQ sections, but AvaTrade’s support is more responsive.
| 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 the majority of Romanian traders, especially those in the growing retail community, AvaTrade is the superior choice. Its higher score (4.6 vs 3.4), lower trading costs, broader platform selection, and stronger regulatory framework – including ASF Romania authorization – make it a more versatile and cost-effective broker. EasyMarkets has its merits for absolute beginners who value simplicity and fixed spreads, but its limitations in instruments and higher minimum deposit may not suit active traders. Considering local payment options like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill, both work well, but AvaTrade’s lower entry barrier and faster withdrawals give it the edge. If you prioritize low costs and flexibility, go with AvaTrade.