Which broker is better for Belarus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Belarus traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets vs IC Markets. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, making it suitable for beginners. IC Markets (score 4.8/5) is a global ECN/STP broker with ultra-low spreads, fast execution, and extensive trading instruments. For Belarus residents, both brokers accept deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with USD as the base currency. However, the local financial regulator does not directly supervise either broker, so traders must rely on overseas licenses (CySEC, ASIC, FCA). This comparison focuses on trading costs, platforms, regulation, payment methods, and Islamic accounts tailored to Belarusian retail traders.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IC Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IC Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IC Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IC Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 | IC Markets |
For Belarus traders, trading costs are a critical factor. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, resulting in total costs as low as 0.5–1 pip for scalpers. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1–3 pips, which can be significantly higher for frequent traders. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets can save Belarus traders hundreds of dollars in spread costs. Additionally, IC Markets does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees for Belarus payment methods, while EasyMarkets may apply a small deposit fee on certain e-wallets. Commissions and swap rates are transparent on both platforms.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Belarus (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:5000 |
| 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 | IC 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 | ✗ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Belarus traders need platforms that are fast and reliable. IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and WebTrader, all with advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and custom indicators. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps, plus a basic MT4 version. For Belarus traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or prefer high-frequency trading, IC Markets is the better choice due to superior execution speeds and deeper liquidity. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler and ideal for beginners but lacks the depth required for professional trading strategies popular among Belarus retail traders.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC 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 is where IC Markets excels. It uses true ECN/STP execution with average latency under 40ms and no requotes. EasyMarkets uses market maker execution with fixed spreads and occasional requotes during news events. For Belarus day traders and scalpers, IC Markets’ speed and transparency are critical. EasyMarkets may be acceptable for longer-term positions where execution speed is less important.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, FCA (UK), and CySEC. Neither broker is directly licensed by the Belarus local financial regulator. However, both are considered reputable offshore brokers. For Belarus traders, this means no local investor protection, but the brokers’ strong international reputations (IC Markets especially) compensate. IC Markets’ higher regulation (FCA and ASIC) provides stricter capital requirements and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets offers negative balance protection as well but with lower overall financial supervision.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | IC 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) | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds in Belarus is straightforward with both brokers. IC Markets supports Bank Transfer (free, 1-3 days), Skrill (instant, 1% fee out of network), Neteller (instant, 1.5% fee), and USDT TRC20 (instant, $1 fee). Minimum deposit is $25. EasyMarkets accepts same methods: Bank Transfer (free, 1-3 days, min $100), Skrill (instant, 0% fee), Neteller (instant, 0% fee), and USDT TRC20 (instant, $10 fee). Both brokers process withdrawals via the same methods. For Belarus traders, Skrill and Neteller are the fastest, while USDT TRC20 is popular for those holding crypto. IC Markets has a slight edge with lower minimums and lower crypto fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | IC 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 IC Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Belarus Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types (Raw Spread, Standard, Cent, Pro). There is no expiry period, but positions held beyond a few days may incur a small administrative fee on certain instruments. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts directly at registration with no swap fees and no time limit. Both brokers require a declaration of faith for Islamic account eligibility. For Belarus traders seeking long-term halal trading, either works, but EasyMarkets’ simpler policy may be preferable.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | IC 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 for Belarus traders is available 24/7 from both brokers. IC Markets offers support via live chat, email, and phone (English, Russian options available). EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support with live chat, phone, and email (Russian language support). IC Markets’ live chat is faster (under 30 seconds average). EasyMarkets’ phone support is helpful for beginners. Both have detailed FAQ sections on their websites. For Belarus traders, IC Markets’ 24/7 availability is a plus for night trading.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | IC 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | IC 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 IC Markets if you...
For Belarus traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 score compared to EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. IC Markets offers lower spreads, faster execution, more platform choices, and better support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. While EasyMarkets is simpler and offers fixed spreads with no commissions, its higher trading costs and limited platform functionality make it less suitable for serious retail traders. Regulation-wise, IC Markets’ ASIC/FCA oversight is stronger, though both operate without direct Belarus regulator supervision. For most Belarus traders, IC Markets provides superior value, especially for active trading. Beginners may still appreciate EasyMarkets’ user-friendliness, but for long-term growth, IC Markets is recommended.