Which broker is better for Ireland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Irish retail traders looking to compare EasyMarkets and FP Markets in 2025, the choice depends on trading style, cost sensitivity, and platform preference. Both brokers are well-established and accept clients from Ireland under European regulatory frameworks, with EasyMarkets holding a CySEC license and FP Markets regulated by CySEC and ASIC. However, FP Markets scores significantly higher at 4.7/5 compared to EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5, largely due to superior trading conditions, lower spreads, and a wider selection of platforms. Irish traders often face unique considerations such as access to local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, which both brokers support. The local financial regulator in Ireland is the Central Bank of Ireland, though neither broker is directly regulated by it; instead, they operate under EU passporting rights. This comparison examines key factors including trading costs, platform features, regulation, deposit/withdrawal options, Islamic account availability, and customer support to help Irish traders make an informed decision. Whether you are a beginner seeking simplicity or an active trader demanding low costs and fast execution, this guide breaks down what each broker offers specifically for the Irish market.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | FP Markets |
When comparing trading costs for Irish traders, FP Markets clearly outperforms EasyMarkets. FP Markets offers Raw ECN accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a small commission (e.g., $3 per lot per side), while its Standard account has spreads from 0.8 pips with no commission. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 1.2–1.8 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, which is higher for frequent traders. Over 100 lots per month, the difference can amount to hundreds of euros. Irish traders who trade regularly will benefit from FP Markets’ lower variable spreads, especially during volatile market sessions overlapping with EU hours. Additionally, FP Markets does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees, whereas EasyMarkets may apply a small withdrawal fee for certain methods. Both brokers offer negative balance protection as required by EU regulations for Irish clients.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| 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 | FP Markets | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Irish traders have different platform needs based on experience and trading style. FP Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, offering advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and depth of market. This is ideal for technical traders and scalpers in Ireland. EasyMarkets uses its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which is user-friendly but limited in customisation and third-party tools. For Irish traders who want to use EAs or trade multiple asset classes seamlessly, FP Markets is the better choice. EasyMarkets also offers a dealCancellation feature (fee-based) that allows traders to reverse losing trades within an hour, which some beginners may find attractive. However, overall platform performance and reliability favour FP Markets.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| 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 matters for Irish intraday traders. FP Markets uses an ECN/STP model with no dealing desk, offering ultra-fast execution typically under 30ms and no requotes. EasyMarkets also uses an STP model but employs fixed spreads, which can lead to slippage and occasional requotes during news events. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Ireland, FP Markets provides superior execution reliability and transparency.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Irish traders. Both EasyMarkets and FP Markets are regulated by CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), which allows them to operate across the EU under MiFID II passporting rules, covering Ireland. FP Markets also holds an ASIC licence in Australia, adding an extra layer of oversight. While neither broker is directly regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, they comply with EU client fund segregation, leverage limits (EU retail traders capped at 1:30 for major pairs), and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets additionally has FSCA (South Africa) and FSA (Seychelles) licenses for offshore entities. For Irish traders, regulation from CySEC and ASIC provides robust protection, though the local regulator expects brokers to follow ESMA guidelines. Always confirm the specific entity handling your account.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 24 hours |
For Irish traders, funding and withdrawing from either broker is straightforward. Both EasyMarkets and FP Markets support the local payment methods you mentioned: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets also accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, and UnionPay, while FP Markets offers POLi, BPAY, and China UnionPay. Deposits via e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) and USDT are typically processed instantly, while bank transfers take 1–3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 1–2 business days for most methods at FP Markets; EasyMarkets may take up to 5 business days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but FP Markets offers free withdrawals while EasyMarkets may charge a fee after the first free withdrawal per month. USDT TRC20 is convenient for Irish traders who use cryptocurrency, offering low transaction fees and fast settlement. Always check your specific account type for any limits.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets cater to Irish Muslim traders by offering Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets provides a dedicated Islamic account with no overnight swaps or interest, but the spreads may be slightly wider to compensate. FP Markets also offers swap-free accounts upon request, applicable to both Standard and Raw ECN accounts, with no extra commissions or hidden fees. For Irish traders following Sharia law, FP Markets may be more attractive because it maintains tighter spreads on Islamic accounts, especially for active trading. Both brokers require a simple declaration from the trader confirming adherence to Islamic principles, and they process requests within a few days. It's important to check whether any holding periods or charges apply after a certain number of days, as some brokers impose limits.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is available in English for Irish traders by both brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/7 live chat, phone, and email support, with fast response times. FP Markets also provides 24/7 live chat, phone, and email, plus a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. Irish traders may find FP Markets’ support slightly more comprehensive due to its multilingual team and faster resolution of technical issues. Both brokers have help centres with FAQs and guides tailored to EU clients.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | 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 FP Markets if you...
For Irish retail traders in 2025, FP Markets is the clear winner with a score of 4.7/5 compared to EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. FP Markets offers lower spreads, superior platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader), faster execution, and more flexible deposit/withdrawal methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 – all essential for local traders. While EasyMarkets provides a simpler experience and innovative features like dealCancellation, its higher costs and limited platform choice make it less suitable for most traders. Both brokers are regulated under CySEC (EU) and comply with local financial regulator (Central Bank of Ireland) standards through MiFID passporting. For the best overall value, especially for active and cost-conscious Irish traders, FP Markets is recommended.