Which broker is better for Sao Tome and Principe traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
If you are a retail trader in Sao Tome and Principe looking for a reliable forex broker, you have likely come across EasyMarkets and Exness. Both are established international brokers, but they serve different trading styles. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads, risk management tools, and user-friendly platform. Exness, scoring 4.8/5, stands out with ultra-low spreads, high leverage, and lightning-fast execution. For traders in Sao Tome and Principe, where the US dollar is commonly used and local payment options include Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, both brokers provide easy deposit and withdrawal channels. This comparison will help you decide which broker fits your local needs, considering costs, regulation, platform features, and support. While both are accessible, Exness generally offers better trading conditions for active and volume-focused traders, while EasyMarkets may appeal to beginners or those who prefer fixed costs.
| 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 traders in Sao Tome and Principe, trading costs directly impact profitability, especially when dealing with USD pairs like EUR/USD or USD/JPY. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads, typically starting at 1.5 pips on major pairs, with no commission on standard accounts. Exness offers variable spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, but with a commission of $3.5 per lot per side. On a standard account, Exness's spreads average around 0.3–0.5 pips with no commission. Over 100 trades per month, Exness is significantly cheaper—costing roughly 30–50% less than EasyMarkets. Additionally, Exness does not charge extra fees on deposits via local methods like USDT TRC20, while EasyMarkets may have conversion fees. For high-frequency or scalping traders in Sao Tome, Exness’s lower spreads are a clear advantage.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sao Tome and Principe (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 platforms that work well for traders in Sao Tome and Principe. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and mobile apps, designed for simplicity with built-in risk management tools like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-loss. Exness offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), plus the Exness Terminal web platform. MT4/MT5 are industry standards with advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. For local traders who rely on mobile trading or need algorithmic capabilities, Exness’s MT4/MT5 are superior. However, if you prefer a beginner-friendly interface with less complexity, EasyMarkets’ own platform is easier to navigate. Both platforms are available in English, and Exness also supports multiple languages, though Portuguese is not offered directly.
| 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 can make or break a trading strategy. Exness offers ultra-fast execution with average speeds under 20 milliseconds, using advanced server infrastructure and no re-quotes. EasyMarkets uses a market-making model with fixed spreads and guaranteed execution, but speeds are slower (around 100–200 ms) and can have requotes during volatile periods. For scalpers or news traders in Sao Tome and Principe, Exness’s execution is far superior. EasyMarkets’ execution is reliable for slower trading styles but may frustrate those needing instant fills. Exness also supports ECN-like execution on its Raw Spread accounts, while EasyMarkets always trades as a market maker.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Exness holds licenses from CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. Although the local financial regulator in Sao Tome and Principe does not directly oversee foreign forex brokers, these international licenses provide a layer of client protection, including negative balance protection and segregated funds. Exness is additionally regulated by the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten for global clients, offering more leeway on leverage up to 1:2000. For a trader in Sao Tome, Exness’s broader regulatory coverage and higher leverage options can be more attractive, while EasyMarkets’ stricter European-style regulation may appeal to those seeking lower risk.
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for traders in Sao Tome and Principe at both EasyMarkets and Exness. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets has a minimum deposit of $100 for most methods, while Exness starts at just $10 for bank transfers and $10 for crypto (USDT TRC20). Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and free at both brokers. Withdrawals are processed quickly: Exness typically processes crypto withdrawals within minutes and e-wallets instantly, while EasyMarkets takes 1–2 business days for e-wallets. Bank transfers can take 1–5 business days at both. One drawback: EasyMarkets charges a $25 fee on withdrawals below $100, whereas Exness does not levy such fees. For local traders who frequently use USDT TRC20 to avoid bank delays, Exness offers faster processing and lower minimums.
| 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 Sao Tome and Principe who require swap-free accounts to comply with Sharia law, both EasyMarkets and Exness provide Islamic accounts. EasyMarkets offers swap-free accounts on request for all account types, with no additional fees, but positions held for extended periods may be subject to a small administration fee after a set number of days. Exness automatically provides Islamic accounts on Standard and Raw Spread accounts, with no swap charges and no hidden fees. Exness’s policy is more transparent and easier to obtain—no separate request is needed. Both brokers require confirmation of religious belief. For long-term position holders, Exness’s swap-free conditions are more favorable, while EasyMarkets may apply charges after 30–90 days depending on the instrument. Traders should review each broker’s terms before opening an account.
| 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 crucial for traders in Sao Tome and Principe, especially when dealing with international brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with response times typically under 2 minutes on chat. Exness provides 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, covering English and several other languages. Exness’s 24/7 availability is a major advantage for Sao Tome traders who may trade during non-standard hours. EasyMarkets’ support is limited to trading hours (Monday to Friday). Both have comprehensive FAQ sections, but Exness’s knowledge base is larger and more detailed. For urgent issues, Exness wins with round-the-clock assistance.
| 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 traders in Sao Tome and Principe, Exness is the clear winner for most retail traders. Its higher score (4.8/5), lower spreads, faster execution, and flexible deposit methods—including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—align perfectly with local needs. Exness also offers Islamic accounts automatically and 24/7 support, which is valuable for traders with different schedules. EasyMarkets remains a decent option for beginners who prioritize fixed costs and a simple platform, but its higher spreads, slower execution, and limited support hours make it less competitive. While the local financial regulator does not specifically oversee either broker, Exness’s multiple international licenses provide strong oversight. If you are a trader in Sao Tome and Principe, start with Exness to maximize your trading potential.