Which broker is better for Ethiopia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Ethiopia's forex trading scene is growing, with emerging retail traders in Addis Ababa and beyond seeking reliable brokers that accept ETB deposits and local payment methods like CBE Birr, bank transfer, and USDT. This comparison between EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) and FXTM (score 4.3/5) digs into what matters most for Ethiopian traders: cost, regulation by the NBE, and ease of funding. EasyMarkets is known for its fixed spreads and risk management tools, while FXTM offers more competitive spreads, a wider range of platforms, and superior deposit options tailored to local needs. We'll break down spreads, platforms, local payment support, and which broker better aligns with the unique trading environment in Ethiopia—including internet reliability and the need for low minimum deposits.
| 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 |
For Ethiopian traders, cost matters, especially when trading small volumes. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads starting around 1.2 pips on EUR/USD, which means predictable costs regardless of market volatility—helpful for beginners. FXTM's spreads can be as low as 0.1 pips on its ECN account but vary with market conditions. Over 100 trades per month, FXTM's lower spreads can save Ethiopian traders 30-40% in trading costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, FXTM charges a small commission on ECN accounts, so traders should compare total cost per trade. For those using ETB-funded accounts, spread costs are dollar-denominated, so ETB volatility may impact real returns; FXTM's tighter spreads help mitigate this.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, which work well on Ethiopian internet connections when optimized. EasyMarkets also provides a proprietary web platform with easy one-click trading and risk management features like dealCancellation. FXTM gives access to MT4/MT5 on desktop, web, and mobile, plus its own app for quick trading. For Ethiopian traders on mobile (common due to limited desktop access), FXTM's MT4 app is reliable and supports local time zone settings. EasyMarkets' platform is simpler but less flexible for advanced charting. Overall, FXTM offers more analytical tools suited for emerging traders looking to grow.
| 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 |
Execution quality directly affects slippage and fills. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads and does not requote except in extreme volatility, offering reliable execution for smaller trades. FXTM uses variable spread ECN/STP models, with average execution speed of 0.1 seconds. For Ethiopian traders, especially those trading during high-volume London/New York sessions (late night local time), FXTM's deeper liquidity reduces slippage. EasyMarkets is suitable for conservative traders who prefer certainty, while FXTM is better for scalpers or those on tight spreads.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Ethiopian traders, especially given NBE's cautious stance on retail forex. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), and ASIC (Australia)—no direct NBE oversight. FXTM holds licenses from CySEC, FCA (UK), and FSCA, and operates under FSCA in South Africa, which is the closest regional regulator for East African clients. Neither broker is directly supervised by NBE, but FXTM's FSCA regulation offers comfort as South Africa's laws cover forex conduct. Ethiopian traders should note that NBE does not prohibit use of international brokers, but all tax and compliance responsibilities rest with the trader. FXTM's stronger regulatory history may appeal to those wanting more security.
| 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. |
Deposit methods are a key differentiator. EasyMarkets accepts international bank transfers and credit/debit cards but does not support CBE Birr or USDT directly—meaning Ethiopian traders must convert ETB to USD via their bank, incurring fees. FXTM offers CBE Birr deposits through local bank transfer, plus USDT (Tether) via crypto funding, making it much easier for Ethiopian traders to fund accounts without foreign exchange costs. Withdrawals at FXTM are processed within 24 hours for USDT, while EasyMarkets takes 1-2 business days for bank transfers. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, but FXTM's local integration (CBE Birr) eliminates intermediary bank charges. Minimum deposit: EasyMarkets $100, FXTM as low as $10, making FXTM more accessible for emerging retail traders in Ethiopia.
| 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 |
Ethiopia has a large Muslim population, and swap-free (Islamic) accounts are important. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts with fixed spreads and no swap fees on overnight positions. However, positions held beyond a certain period may incur administrative fees. FXTM provides Islamic accounts across its Standard, Cent, and ECN account types, with zero swap fees and no hidden charges. Both brokers require a declaration of Muslim faith and no intention to earn swap. FXTM's Islamic accounts are more flexible for Ethiopian traders who may hold trades longer due to time zone differences or personal trading style. Neither broker charges extra for these accounts.
| 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 |
Customer support is vital for Ethiopian traders facing time zone differences (UTC+3). EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat and email, with support during Ethiopian business hours. FXTM provides 24/5 support in English, plus a localized Amharic phone line (limited). FXTM's support team responds faster (under 5 minutes live chat) and offers a dedicated account manager for deposits over $1,000. EasyMarkets' support is adequate but slower during non-European hours. For urgent trading issues, FXTM's broader coverage gives Ethiopian traders an edge.
| 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 Ethiopian traders, FXTM is the clear winner (4.3 vs 3.4) due to its lower spreads, local payment integration (CBE Birr, USDT, Bank Transfer), and more flexible account options. EasyMarkets is a decent alternative for absolute beginners wanting fixed costs and risk controls, but its higher spreads and limited deposit methods for ETB users make it less practical. Given the NBE's regulatory environment and the need for cost-effective trading, FXTM better serves emerging retail traders in Ethiopia. We recommend FXTM for most Ethiopian traders, especially those who plan to trade actively or want to avoid foreign exchange hurdles.