Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Cyprus has long been a hub for forex trading, thanks to its strong CySEC regulation and proximity to European markets. For local retail traders, choosing between EasyMarkets and Exness is a common dilemma. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is a Cyprus-based broker founded in Limassol, offering a user-friendly platform with fixed spreads and a focus on beginner protection. Exness (score 4.8/5) is a global giant with a Cyprus presence, known for ultra-low spreads, instant withdrawals, and high-volume capacity. Both are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), providing a safe trading environment. This comparison examines how each broker serves Cyprus traders specifically—covering trading costs, platforms, deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and local support. Whether you trade part-time or full-time, understanding these differences helps you pick the right broker for your USD-denominated account.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Exness |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Exness |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Exness |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Exness |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | Exness |
For Cyprus traders, trading costs are a critical factor. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads (e.g., EUR/USD at 1.2 pips) with no commission on standard accounts, which suits risk-averse traders who dislike variable costs. In contrast, Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account with a small commission ($3.5 per lot), or raw spreads from 0.3 pips on its Standard account with no commission. For active Cyprus traders trading multiple lots daily, Exness can reduce costs by 30-50% compared to EasyMarkets. Additionally, Exness has no hidden fees on deposits or withdrawals, while EasyMarkets charges inactivity fees after 90 days. Overnight swap rates also differ: Exness typically offers more competitive swap costs for USD pairs.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Exness |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Cyprus traders value platform reliability and local language support. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web platform and mobile app, built for simplicity with one-click trading and risk management tools like dealCancellation (allows reversing a losing trade within 60 minutes). Exness offers MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its own web terminal and mobile app—giving Cyprus traders the flexibility of advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. For traders using third-party tools or Expert Advisors, Exness is the clear choice. EasyMarkets’ platform is better for beginners who prioritize ease over depth. Both platforms support USD base currency and display prices in real time.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Exness |
| 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 |
Execution quality affects profitability. EasyMarkets uses market execution with no requotes on its proprietary platform, but average execution speed is around 100ms. Exness uses the latest technology with ultra-low latency servers in London and New York, achieving execution speeds under 50ms on MetaTrader. Exness also offers NDD (No Dealing Desk) execution on major accounts, ensuring minimal slippage. For Cyprus traders trading news events or scalping, Exness provides noticeably faster and more reliable execution. EasyMarkets is fine for longer-term positions but lags in high-frequency scenarios.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Cyprus traders. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (license number 079/07) and also by ASIC and FSA, ensuring compliance with EU MiFID II investor protections. Exness holds a CySEC CIF license (license number 178/12) and is additionally regulated by the FCA, CMA, and FSCA. Both brokers segregate client funds in top-tier EU banks and participate in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) for Cyprus—covering up to €20,000 in case of broker failure. For Cyprus traders, this means both offer equivalent safety. However, Exness’s additional oversight from multiple regulators gives an extra layer of confidence for high-volume traders.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days |
Cyprus traders enjoy fast and flexible deposit options at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer (1-3 business days for withdrawal), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (instant). Minimum deposit is $100. Withdrawals are processed within 1 business day but may take longer for bank transfers. Exness also accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with instant deposit processing (crypto deposits reflect in minutes). Minimum deposit is just $10, making it accessible for smaller accounts. Exness’s withdrawal process is a standout: auto-approval 24/7, paying within seconds for e-wallets and crypto, and within 24 hours for bank transfers. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but Exness has no withdrawal fees either, while EasyMarkets may charge withdrawal fees over certain limits. For Cyprus traders using Skrill or Neteller, Exness offers superior speed.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Cyprus has a significant Muslim community, and both brokers cater to them with swap-free Islamic accounts. EasyMarkets offers a dedicated Islamic account with no swap or rollover interest on any positions, applicable to all account types. Exness provides swap-free accounts upon request, but with certain conditions: clients must not trade excessively or hold positions for extremely long periods (to avoid abuse). Exness reserves the right to revert to standard swaps if trading patterns indicate arbitrage. EasyMarkets is more straightforward with its Islamic account, while Exness’s terms are stricter. Cyprus traders observing Sharia law should review each broker’s policy on overnight fees and ensure compliance.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✓ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is vital for local traders. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Cyprus helpdesk in Greek. Exness provides 24/7 support in 14+ languages including Greek, through live chat, phone, and email. During volatile markets, Exness’s round-the-clock availability is a clear advantage. Both brokers offer comprehensive help centers with FAQs tailored to Cyprus traders, covering local payment methods and regulatory topics. Response times are generally under 2 minutes for live chat at both.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Exness | 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 | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Exness if you...
After comparing EasyMarkets and Exness for Cyprus traders, Exness emerges as the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating against EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. For Cyprus retail traders, Exness offers lower spreads, superior execution, faster withdrawals via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and 24/7 support—all under robust CySEC regulation. EasyMarkets, while being a local Cyprus broker with a simpler experience, falls short on trading costs and flexibility. If you trade with high volume or demand tight spreads, Exness is the better fit. However, if you are a beginner wanting fixed spreads and a no-fuss platform, EasyMarkets remains a safe choice. For most Cyprus traders, Exness’s overall package is more competitive and cost-effective in 2025.