Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
United Kingdom traders comparing EasyMarkets and FXTM will find two well-established brokers with FCA regulation and strong local payment support. EasyMarkets, founded in 2001, is known for its user-friendly platform, fixed spreads, and risk management tools. FXTM (ForexTime), launched in 2011, offers a broader product range including forex, CFDs, commodities, and indices, plus multiple account types to suit different trading volumes. Both accept GBP and support local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, making them convenient for UK residents. However, their fees, platform features, and overall suitability vary. In this detailed 2025 comparison, we evaluate EasyMarkets and FXTM across trading costs, regulation, platforms, and deposit/withdrawal processes specifically from a United Kingdom perspective. Whether you are a retail or professional trader, this guide helps you decide which broker aligns with your needs.
| 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 United Kingdom traders, spread costs are a key factor, especially when trading GBP pairs. FXTM offers variable spreads on its Standard and Raw accounts; the Raw account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a $2 per lot commission, ideal for high-volume scalpers. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that average 1.2 pips on EUR/USD and slightly higher on GBP/USD (around 1.5 pips), with no commission. Over 100 trades per month in GBP/USD, FXTM’s Raw account typically saves 0.3–0.5 pips per trade compared to EasyMarkets. For smaller volumes, EasyMarkets’ fixed spread model provides certainty, but frequent traders will likely prefer FXTM’s variable spreads for lower overall costs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
United Kingdom traders prioritise platform reliability and local relevance. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web and mobile platforms, plus MetaTrader 4 (MT4). FXTM provides MT4, MT5, and its own FXTM Trader app. Both support GBP accounts and offer charts, indicators, and automated trading. FXTM’s MT5 is particularly attractive for UK traders interested in advanced order types and depth of market. EasyMarkets’ platform includes unique features like ‘deal cancellation’ and ‘negative balance protection’ enforced by FCA rules. FXTM also integrates with TradingView for charting. Overall, FXTM offers more platform choice, while EasyMarkets focuses on simplified trading.
| 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 matters for UK traders, especially those using fast trading strategies. FXTM operates with an STP/ECN model, offering low latency and no requotes on most accounts. Execution speeds average below 50ms. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to occasional requotes during volatile news events. However, EasyMarkets provides guaranteed stop-loss orders, a unique feature for UK traders wanting risk protection. For scalpers and algo traders, FXTM’s direct market access is superior. For swing traders prioritising risk management, EasyMarkets’ execution model offers stability.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and FXTM are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, providing a high level of protection for UK retail and professional traders. FCA regulation ensures client money segregation, negative balance protection, and leverage caps up to 1:30 for retail clients (1:50 for professionals). EasyMarkets Ltd is registered with FCA (registration number 574202) and FXTM Europe Ltd is also FCA-authorized. For UK traders, this means both brokers must adhere to strict conduct rules, including transparent pricing and fair treatment. Neither broker offers bonuses to UK clients due to FCA rules. Regulation is a strong point for both, but FXTM’s slightly longer track record with FCA may inspire greater confidence.
| 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. |
United Kingdom traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments at both EasyMarkets and FXTM. Deposits are typically free and instant with PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments. Bank transfers may take 1-2 business days. EasyMarkets supports debit/credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and has a minimum deposit of £100. FXTM’s minimum deposit is £50 (or equivalent), with additional options like Neteller and UnionPay. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours by both brokers, and UK Faster Payments ensures same-day withdrawals for eligible methods. FXTM offers a slightly wider range of local deposit methods, while EasyMarkets keeps it simple. Always check for any withdrawal fees: both usually cover the first withdrawal per month free.
| 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 |
Muslim traders in the United Kingdom can access Islamic (swap-free) accounts at both EasyMarkets and FXTM. These accounts comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest on open positions. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts upon request with no additional fees, and the accounts remain swap-free indefinitely. FXTM also provides Islamic accounts but requires a request and may charge an admin fee after a holding period (e.g., 10 days). Both brokers allow UK residents to apply, and the accounts are available on most trading platforms. For UK-based Muslim traders seeking a straightforward swap-free experience, EasyMarkets may be more appealing due to its no-fee policy.
| 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 for United Kingdom traders is available in English via live chat, email, and phone from both brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support with a UK phone number, while FXTM provides 24/5 support with a local London number and extended weekend hours for urgent queries. FXTM’s support team is generally faster to respond based on user reviews, and it offers dedicated account managers for higher-volume professional traders. EasyMarkets also has a helpful FAQ and educational section. Both brokers provide decent support, but FXTM edges ahead with quicker response times and more personalised options.
| 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 United Kingdom traders, FXTM is the stronger overall choice with a score of 4.3/5 compared to EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. FXTM’s lower spreads, multiple platforms, better execution, and broader local payment support (including PayPal, Skrill, Faster Payments) make it ideal for active traders. EasyMarkets remains a solid option for beginners or those who value fixed costs and guaranteed stop-losses, especially with its simple Islamic account offering. Both are FCA-regulated, so safety is not a differentiator. Ultimately, UK traders should align their choice with their trading style: choose FXTM for cost efficiency and variety, or EasyMarkets for simplicity and certainty.