Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Iceland traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and FXTM, two globally recognised brands with different strengths. EasyMarkets has a TrustScore of 3.4/5, offering fixed spreads, a proprietary web platform, and unique features like deal cancellation and free guaranteed stop losses. FXTM, with a higher score of 4.3/5, provides variable spreads, multiple account types (Standard, Cent, ECN), and strong educational resources. Both brokers accept Icelandic clients and support popular local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (FXTM only). However, neither is directly regulated by Iceland’s local financial regulator (Fjármálaeftirlitið), so you should review their offshore licences carefully. This comparison will help you decide which broker suits your retail trading style in the Icelandic króna (ISK) or USD environment.
| 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 Iceland traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads starting from 1 pip on EUR/USD, with no commission on its standard account. This is ideal if you dislike variable spreads. FXTM offers variable spreads from 0.1 pips on its ECN account, but a commission of $3–$7 per lot applies. On a volume of 10 lots per month, FXTM’s total cost (spread + commission) can be 30–40% lower than EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads. However, FXTM’s spreads widen during high volatility, while EasyMarkets’ spreads stay constant. For high‑frequency traders in Iceland, FXTM is cheaper; for occasional traders who need cost certainty, EasyMarkets is better.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland (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 the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are well‑suited for Icelandic retail traders needing advanced charting and automated trading. EasyMarkets additionally provides its own web‑based platform with a clean interface and features like deal cancellation. FXTM also offers a mobile app with real‑time quotes and risk management tools. If you prefer a simple, all‑in‑one solution, EasyMarkets’ proprietary platform is convenient. If you rely on third‑party indicators or Expert Advisors, FXTM’s full MT4/MT5 support is preferable. Both platforms are available in English and can be accessed from any device in Iceland.
| 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 a market execution model with no requotes, but its fixed spreads can lead to slippage during news events. FXTM offers ECN/STP execution on its advanced accounts, providing low latency and direct market access. For Iceland traders who day trade volatile pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/JPY, FXTM’s execution is generally faster and more transparent. EasyMarkets’ deal cancellation feature allows you to cancel a losing trade within a set time, which can be a safety net for inexperienced traders. Overall, FXTM wins on pure execution speed, while EasyMarkets offers a unique safety feature.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. FXTM holds licences from CySEC, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. Neither broker is directly supervised by Iceland’s local financial regulator (Fjármálaeftirlitið). For Iceland traders, this means your funds are protected by EU investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000 via CySEC) but not by Icelandic deposit guarantees. Always verify that the broker’s entity serving you is authorised and consider using segregated accounts. Both brokers are compliant with MiFID II, which offers some level of client protection.
| 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. |
Iceland traders have several convenient ways to fund their accounts. Both EasyMarkets and FXTM accept Bank Transfer (SEPA, SWIFT), Skrill, and Neteller. FXTM also supports USDT TRC20 deposits, which are fast and low‑cost – a distinct advantage for crypto‑savvy traders. EasyMarkets does not accept USDT. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets $25, FXTM $10 (Standard account). Withdrawals are processed within 1–3 business days for e‑wallets and 2–5 business days for bank transfers. No deposit fees are charged by either broker, but bank intermediary fees may apply. Both brokers require verification documents before withdrawal, so have your ID and proof of address ready. The inclusion of USDT TRC20 by FXTM gives it an edge for Icelandic traders who prefer digital payments.
| 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 |
For Muslim traders in Iceland, both EasyMarkets and FXTM offer swap‑free (Islamic) accounts that comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. EasyMarkets provides a dedicated Islamic account option with no swap on all instruments, and you can request it during registration. FXTM offers Islamic accounts on its Standard, Cent, and ECN accounts, but you must contact support to activate it. Both brokers may require proof of faith or a minimum trading activity to maintain the status. Generally, FXTM’s Islamic account is more flexible due to the variety of account types available. Neither broker charges extra fees for Islamic 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 |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English as the primary language. FXTM provides 24/5 support in multiple languages, including English, and has a dedicated Icelandic? (no, but English support is sufficient for most). FXTM also has a comprehensive FAQ section and localised account managers for VIP clients. For Iceland traders, the response times are similar – within a few minutes via live chat. FXTM’s wider support channels (including WhatsApp) and multilingual team give it a slight advantage, though EasyMarkets’ support is also reliable.
| 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 Iceland retail traders, FXTM is the stronger choice overall, earning a higher TrustScore of 4.3/5 compared to EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. FXTM’s lower spreads, USDT TRC20 deposit support, and advanced trading platforms give it an edge for active traders. EasyMarkets remains a solid option if you value simplicity, fixed costs, and unique tools like deal cancellation. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but only FXTM offers USDT. Remember that neither is regulated by Iceland’s local financial regulator, so always trade with a regulated entity (e.g., CySEC) and use segregated funds. If your trading volume is moderate to high, FXTM is the better fit; for occasional low‑volume trades, EasyMarkets’ predictability may appeal.