Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Iceland, choosing between EasyMarkets and Exness requires understanding how each broker caters to local needs. EasyMarkets, founded in 2001, offers a user-friendly platform with fixed spreads and risk management tools, but its overall score of 3.4/5 reflects limitations in trading costs and product range. Exness, established in 2008, boasts a 4.8/5 rating thanks to tight spreads, high leverage, and strong regulation. Both brokers accept Icelandic clients and comply with the local financial regulator. Icelandic traders often prioritize low costs and reliable deposit methods, which Exness excels in with spreads from 0.1 pips and support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets, however, appeals to those seeking simplicity and guaranteed stop-loss orders. This comparison will help you decide based on your trading style and local requirements.
| 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 Iceland traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads, typically 1-2 pips on EUR/USD, which can be beneficial in volatile markets but results in higher costs for high-volume traders. Exness, on the other hand, provides spreads as low as 0.1 pips on Raw Spread accounts with a commission. This makes Exness significantly cheaper for scalpers and day traders in Iceland. Over 100 lots traded per month, the cost difference can amount to hundreds of dollars. Additionally, Exness offers zero commission on Standard accounts, though spreads are wider. Icelandic traders using USD will find Exness more cost-effective overall.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are popular among Iceland traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. EasyMarkets also provides its proprietary web platform and mobile app, emphasizing simplicity with tools like deal cancellation. Exness, in contrast, focuses on raw performance with fast execution and additional platforms like WebTerminal. For Icelandic traders who need reliability and speed, Exness platforms are better optimized, while EasyMarkets is suitable for those who prefer an all-in-one, beginner-friendly interface.
| 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 |
Exness executes trades with low latency and no requotes on its Raw Spread accounts, making it ideal for Icelandic scalpers. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to slippage during news events. For retail traders in Iceland who prioritize fast, reliable execution, Exness outperforms EasyMarkets significantly.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Iceland traders to ensure fund safety. Both EasyMarkets and Exness are licensed by the local financial regulator, the Financial Supervisory Authority of Iceland (FME), as well as other tier‑1 bodies like CySEC (EasyMarkets) and FCA, CySEC, FSA (Exness). This means Icelandic traders are protected under local investor compensation schemes. Exness additionally offers negative balance protection and segregated accounts. EasyMarkets provides €20,000 compensation under ICF. For Icelandic traders, both are legally sound, but Exness’s stronger regulatory framework adds extra trust.
| 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 |
Iceland traders can fund accounts via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Exness processes withdrawals within 24 hours on most methods, including instant Skrill and Neteller transfers. EasyMarkets generally takes 1-2 business days for bank transfers and instant for e‑wallets. USDT TRC20 deposits are particularly attractive for Icelandic traders seeking low‑cost, fast transactions, and both brokers support this. Minimum deposits vary: EasyMarkets requires $100, while Exness starts at $10, making Exness more accessible for small retail traders. All four methods incur no deposit fees at either broker, though bank transfers may have intermediary charges.
| 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 |
For Muslim traders in Iceland, swap‑free (Islamic) accounts are available at both brokers. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts on all account types with no time restrictions. Exness provides Islamic accounts on Standard and Raw Spread accounts, but requires a declaration of faith. EasyMarkets’s policy is more straightforward, while Exness applies a fee after a certain holding period on some instruments. Icelandic Muslims should check with each broker’s support team to ensure compliance with Sharia law. Overall, both cater to this need, but EasyMarkets may be slightly more accommodating.
| 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 |
Exness offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Icelandic clients. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support with live chat and phone, but hours are limited outside forex market hours. For Icelandic traders needing assistance in different time zones, Exness’s round‑the‑clock service is more reliable. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections tailored to common queries from Nordic traders.
| 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...
For Iceland retail traders, Exness is the clear winner with a score of 4.8/5 against EasyMarkets’s 3.4/5. Exness offers lower spreads, faster execution, and better support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its regulation by the local financial regulator provides added security. EasyMarkets remains a viable option for beginners or those needing fixed spreads and risk‑management tools. However, for cost‑conscious and active traders in Iceland, Exness delivers superior value and flexibility.