Which broker is better for Netherlands traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Netherlands traders comparing EasyMarkets and Alpari, the choice depends on trading style and cost preferences. EasyMarkets, with a 3.4/5 rating, is known for its fixed spreads and user-friendly platform, making it ideal for retail traders who value predictability. Alpari, rated 3.1/5, offers a wider range of instruments and variable spreads, appealing to traders seeking flexibility. Both brokers accept Netherlands clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, neither is directly regulated by the Dutch financial regulator (AFM), but operate under other EU licenses. This comparison focuses on key aspects such as trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit options relevant to Netherlands traders in 2025.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Alpari |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Alpari |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Alpari |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Alpari |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 | EasyMarkets |
When comparing trading costs for Netherlands traders, EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads from 1.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, which is beneficial for those who trade during volatile European sessions. Alpari provides variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips but can widen significantly during news events. For a Netherlands trader executing 50 trades per month, EasyMarkets' fixed costs translate to approximately $50 in spreads on 1 lot EUR/USD, while Alpari's variable spreads can range from $30 to $100 depending on market conditions. EasyMarkets also charges no commission on standard accounts, whereas Alpari's ECN accounts have a $3.5 per lot commission.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, designed for simplicity and quick execution, which suits Netherlands retail traders who prefer a streamlined experience. Alpari offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular among traders who use advanced charting, automated strategies, or custom indicators. For Netherlands traders who value ease of use and one-click trading, EasyMarkets is better. For those needing advanced tools and algorithmic trading, Alpari's MT4/5 platforms are superior. Both platforms are available in Dutch language and support local time zones.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and instant execution, which ensures no requotes for Netherlands traders. Alpari uses a no-dealing desk (NDD) model with variable spreads and market execution, which can result in slippage during high volatility. For Netherlands traders trading during European sessions, EasyMarkets offers more reliable execution with guaranteed fills.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Alpari is regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, while Alpari is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius and other offshore bodies. For Netherlands traders, this means they are not covered by the Dutch investor compensation scheme (up to €20,000 under AFM). However, EU-based regulation (CySEC) offers some protection under the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000). Traders should be aware of these differences when choosing a broker.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 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) | Cryptocurrency / E-Wallets: Instant to 2 hours (after internal processing).Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 10 business days.Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 5 business days. |
Both EasyMarkets and Alpari support the same payment methods for Netherlands traders: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, while withdrawals via these e-wallets are processed within 24 hours. Alpari also supports instant deposits via Skrill/Neteller but may charge a 1% fee on withdrawals. Bank Transfer deposits take 1-3 business days for both brokers, with EasyMarkets waiving fees for transfers over €500. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes on both platforms, with no transaction fees. Netherlands traders benefit from multiple free deposit options, but should note that EasyMarkets offers faster withdrawal processing overall.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| 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 EasyMarkets and Alpari offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Netherlands who require compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including fixed spread accounts, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Alpari offers Islamic accounts only on Standard accounts, not on ECN or Pro accounts. For Netherlands traders, EasyMarkets is more flexible as it allows Islamic account holders to access all trading features, while Alpari restricts some account types. Neither broker charges additional fees for maintaining Islamic account status.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Dutch language support available during European business hours. Alpari provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, but Dutch language support is limited to email only. For Netherlands traders, EasyMarkets offers better localized support with faster response times in Dutch.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For Netherlands traders, EasyMarkets (3.4) is the better overall choice compared to Alpari (3.1) due to its fixed spreads, faster withdrawals via Skrill/Neteller, and better Dutch language support. While both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits, EasyMarkets offers more favorable terms for e-wallet withdrawals. However, neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator (AFM), so traders must rely on EU-level protections. If you prioritize cost certainty and ease of use, choose EasyMarkets. If you need advanced trading tools and a wider instrument range, Alpari may still be worth considering despite its lower score.