Which broker is better for Belgium traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Belgium retail traders face a choice between two well‑known brokers: EasyMarkets and FXTM. EasyMarkets (overall score 3.4/5) is a Cypriot broker that has served the European market since 2003, offering fixed spreads and a unique deal‑cancellation feature. FXTM (score 4.3/5), also headquartered in Cyprus but with additional regulation in the UK and South Africa, provides a wider product range including forex, CFDs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Both brokers accept Belgian clients under the EU MiFID II framework, meaning they adhere to local FSMA rules on leverage (max 30:1 for majors) and negative balance protection. Belgian traders often prioritise low costs and reliable platforms, but also value local payment options. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and special account types to help you decide which broker suits your trading style in Belgium.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 | FXTM |
When comparing trading costs, FXTM generally offers lower variable spreads – for example, EUR/USD spreads from 0.1 pips on its ECN account (with commission). EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads starting at 1.0 pips on EUR/USD without commission. For Belgian traders who trade high volumes (e.g., 10+ lots per month), FXTM’s variable spreads can reduce overall cost by up to 30%. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide certainty, which suits traders who avoid surprises during economic data releases. Also consider swap rates: FXTM offers competitive overnight financing for long‑term positions, while EasyMarkets’ swaps are average. Both brokers apply zero commission on standard accounts.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXTM provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with a proprietary web‑based platform and a mobile app. This gives Belgian traders access to advanced charting, automated trading (EAs), and a large community of indicators. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web‑platform (TradingView‑powered) and a mobile app, but lacks MT4/5. For Belgian traders who rely on Expert Advisors or custom scripts, FXTM is the clear choice. Beginners may prefer EasyMarkets’ simpler interface and built‑in risk tools like the deal cancellation. Both platforms support negative balance protection and one‑click trading, meeting local FSMA requirements.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 STP (Straight Through Processing) with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring quick execution for Belgian traders. FXTM offers both STP and ECN execution depending on account type. On ECN accounts, execution is sub‑second with no requotes. FXTM generally has lower latency due to proximity to Equinix LD4 (London) servers – important for Belgian traders whose orders route through London. EasyMarkets’ servers are also in London, so both provide reliable execution. However, during volatile news, FXTM’s variable spreads may widen more than EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads, causing potential slippage. For scalpers, FXTM’s ECN accounts are superior.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and FXTM are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which falls under the European MiFID II regime. This means Belgian clients receive investor protection (up to €20,000 via ICF) and negative balance protection as required by the Belgian FSMA. FXTM additionally holds FCA (UK) and FSCA (South Africa) licenses, offering extra regulatory oversight but not directly relevant to Belgian clients. Importantly, both brokers comply with Belgian leverage caps (30:1 for majors, 20:1 for minors, 10:1 for commodities, 2:1 for crypto). The local regulator, FSMA, does not license either broker directly but relies on European passporting – so Belgian traders can operate with confidence knowing both meet EU standards.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
Belgian traders can fund accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. For EasyMarkets, minimum deposit is $100; FXTM starts at $10 for Standard accounts. Bank Transfers are free but take 1‑3 business days; e‑wallet deposits are instant and often free, though withdrawal fees apply (e.g., 1‑2% for Skrill/Neteller). USDT TRC20 deposits are processed instantly with no commission on deposits, though some blockchain fees may apply. Withdrawal times: e‑wallets and USDT typically process within 24 hours; Bank Transfers take 2‑5 days. FXTM offers a wider range of additional local payment methods (e.g., iDEAL not directly supported, but both cover the four core methods). Belgian traders should note that USDT TRC20 can be a cheap, fast alternative for larger amounts, especially given growing crypto adoption in Belgium.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Belgian Muslim traders seeking Sharia‑compliant accounts can open swap‑free accounts at both brokers. EasyMarkets provides swap‑free on all account types upon request, with no hidden fee for holding positions overnight beyond the standard spread. FXTM offers Islamic accounts for Standard and ECN accounts but excludes Cent and Shares accounts. FXTM may charge an admin fee after a certain holding period (e.g., 7‑10 days) – check current terms. Both brokers require a simple request via customer support. For Belgian traders adhering strictly to Islamic finance, EasyMarkets’ straightforward zero‑swap policy may be slightly more favourable, while FXTM’s wider platform choice still makes it a strong option.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | FXTM | 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 live chat, email, and phone support in English, French, and Dutch – covering Belgium’s three official languages. FXTM also provides 24/5 multilingual support (English, French, Arabic, etc.), but Dutch is not consistently available. For Belgian traders who prefer Dutch, EasyMarkets has an edge. FXTM’s response time is generally faster due to a larger support team. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections tailored to European clients. Overall, EasyMarkets wins on language accessibility for Belgium; FXTM wins on speed.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For most Belgian retail traders, FXTM is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its higher score (4.3/5), lower spreads on active accounts, MT4/5 support, and wider asset selection. It also accommodates smaller deposits ($10) and supports all four key payment methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20). However, beginners or traders who speak Dutch may prefer EasyMarkets for its fixed spreads, simple platform, and dedicated Belgian language support. Both brokers are fully compliant with FSMA rules on leverage and negative balance protection. If you trade high volume or use EAs, go with FXTM. If you want a stress‑free, predictable trading environment with fixed costs, EasyMarkets still holds value. Consider your trading style, volume, and language preference when deciding.