Which broker is better for Brazil traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Brazil’s retail trading community continues to grow, and choosing the right broker is critical. This comparison focuses on EasyMarkets vs IC Markets, two popular international brokers used by Brazilian traders. EasyMarkets, with a broker score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads, innovative risk management tools, and a user-friendly platform. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a favorite among scalpers and algorithmic traders due to its raw spreads, lightning-fast execution, and deep liquidity. Both accept BRL deposits via local methods like PIX, Bank Transfer (TED), and Credit Card. However, neither broker is regulated by Brazil’s CVM, so traders must understand the implications for investor protection. We’ll examine trading costs, platforms, regulatory safeguards, and local payment options to help Brazilian traders decide which broker aligns with their goals.
| 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 Brazilian traders, trading costs are a key factor. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads – EUR/USD typically 1.2 pips – with no commissions. This is predictable but wide for active traders. IC Markets uses a raw spread model, with spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs plus a small commission (e.g., $3.5 per lot round turn). A Brazilian trader executing 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD would pay around $120 with EasyMarkets vs roughly $35 with IC Markets. IC Markets is clearly more cost-effective for high-volume trading. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect against slippage during volatile news, which may appeal to risk-averse traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice matters for Brazilian traders who rely on fast execution and reliable charting. IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all with full desktop, web, and mobile versions – ideal for algorithmic and manual trading alike. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform, plus MT4 and MT5. The proprietary platform includes features like “Deal Cancellation” and guaranteed stop-losses, which can help Brazilian beginners avoid common mistakes. For advanced trading, cTrader on IC Markets offers depth of market and custom indicators. Both brokers have mobile apps in Portuguese, but IC Markets’ platform suite is more feature-rich for serious 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 |
IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-fast execution with average speeds below 40ms, using Equinix NY4 servers for direct market access. This is crucial for Brazilian scalpers and automated traders. EasyMarkets execution is reliable but slightly slower, with average speeds around 100ms, as they use a market maker model with internal liquidity. EasyMarkets’ model provides fixed spreads and no requotes in normal conditions, while IC Markets’ ECN model allows for slippage but tighter spreads. For latency-sensitive traders, IC Markets has a clear advantage, especially when trading from Brazil with its distance from data centers.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor IC Markets holds a license from Brazil’s CVM. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia). IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and FSA (Seychelles). For Brazilian traders, this means trading is considered cross-border and not protected by the Brazilian Investor Protection Fund. Both brokers offer negative balance protection as required by CySEC, but the level of fund segregation and audit differ. Brazilian clients should verify the license of the entity they open an account with – for IC Markets, the Seychelles entity often has looser rules. The absence of CVM regulation means investors must perform due diligence on the broker’s reputation and financial stability.
| 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 |
Brazilian traders can deposit and withdraw using PIX, Bank Transfer (TED), and Credit Card at both brokers. EasyMarkets processes PIX deposits instantly and at no fee, with a minimum deposit of $25 (approx. R$125). Withdrawals via PIX are processed within 24 hours. IC Markets also supports PIX transfers through its payment partners, with a minimum deposit of $200 (approx. R$1,000). Credit card deposits are accepted by both but may incur fees from the card issuer. Bank transfers can take 1-3 business days. IC Markets tends to have higher minimums but lower overall trading costs, while EasyMarkets is more accessible for smaller accounts. Both allow BRL deposits, but the conversion to account base currency uses the broker’s rate. Brazilian traders should consider these practicalities when choosing.
| 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 compliant with Sharia law for Brazilian Muslim traders. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward swap-free account with no extra charges, applicable to all instruments. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts but may levy an administrative fee if positions are held beyond a certain period (e.g., 10+days), depending on the instrument. Brazilian Muslim traders who prefer simplicity and no hidden fees may prefer EasyMarkets. Those who prioritize ultra-low spreads and are willing to pay a small holding fee may still find IC Markets attractive, especially for short-term trading.
| 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 is available in Portuguese for both brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support. IC Markets provides 24/7 support via live chat and email with dedicated account managers for higher-tier clients. Both respond within minutes on chat. EasyMarkets has a slight edge for direct Brazilian telephone support during local business hours, while IC Markets’ round-the-clock availability benefits traders operating outside standard hours.
| 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 Brazil traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and IC Markets depends on trading style and experience. IC Markets (score 4.8/5) is the superior choice for active, cost-conscious traders: its raw spreads, high-speed execution, and advanced platforms outshine EasyMarkets. Brazilian scalpers, EA users, and those trading large volumes will benefit most from IC Markets. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is better suited for beginners or risk-averse traders who value simplicity, fixed costs, and protective features. It also has a lower entry barrier for local payments via PIX. However, both lack CVM regulation, so Brazilian traders must be comfortable with offshore trading. Ultimately, IC Markets wins on cost and performance, but EasyMarkets offers safety nets that some Brazilian novices may prefer.