Which broker is better for Bulgaria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Bulgarian retail traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and IC Markets. Both brokers accept clients from Bulgaria and support USD-denominated accounts, which is useful given the local preference for USD in trading. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is known for fixed spreads and a user-friendly all-in-one platform, while IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, leads with institutional-grade pricing and fast execution. For Bulgarian traders, the choice comes down to trading style: EasyMarkets suits those who want predictable costs and a simpler experience, while IC Markets appeals to active and volume-focused traders who need raw spreads and deep liquidity. The Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) does not directly licence forex brokers, but as EU members, Bulgarian clients can access brokers regulated by CySEC through MiFID II passporting. Both brokers make onboarding easy with Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 payment options. Leverage limits of 1:30 apply to EU clients, so Bulgarian traders must factor that into their risk planning. This comparison covers everything from regulation and deposits to execution and support, with a clear focus on the Bulgarian market, helping you decide which broker fits your trading needs in 2026.
| 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 Bulgarian traders, trading costs are often the deciding factor. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, which on EUR/USD start at around 1.5 pips and can rise during volatile sessions. IC Markets, by contrast, offers variable spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account plus a small commission. Over a month of active scalping or swing trading, a Bulgarian client trading in USD could save significantly with IC Markets. Lower spreads reduce slippage and make frequent trades more profitable, especially when using automated strategies. EasyMarkets offers a simpler cost model, but the wider fixed spreads mean Bulgarian traders pay more per trade. If you trade with high volume, the cost difference can easily reach hundreds of dollars per month, making IC Markets the clear cost leader for Bulgaria.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web platform alongside MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, plus a unique deal cancellation feature that allows Bulgarian traders to reverse losing trades within a set time. IC Markets also offers MT4 and MT5 but adds cTrader, giving active traders more advanced charting and order management. For Bulgarian traders, MT4 remains the most popular platform for custom indicators and expert advisors. Both brokers support full mobile trading on Android and iOS. EasyMarkets' platform is easier for beginners but lacks the customisation that IC Markets offers through cTrader. If you need advanced tools and in-depth analysis as a Bulgarian trader, IC Markets is the better platform choice.
| 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 a key differentiator between the two. IC Markets uses an ECN/STP model with low-latency servers in London and New York, giving Bulgarian traders fast execution and minimal requotes. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with a dealing desk, which can lead to fixed spreads but also potential slippage during news events. For Bulgarian day traders who rely on scalping or news trading, IC Markets' execution speed and transparency are superior. EasyMarkets' execution is still reliable for swing trading, but Bulgarian traders who prioritise price certainty and speed will favour IC Markets.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Seychelles FSA, and ASIC, while IC Markets holds licences from CySEC, the FCA in the UK, and ASIC. For Bulgaria, the key is MiFID II passporting: CySEC-regulated entities can offer services to Bulgarian residents without a separate local licence. The local Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) oversees overall investment safety, but it does not directly license online forex brokers. Bulgarian traders should always verify they are opening accounts with the EU-regulated entity of either broker. Both EasyMarkets and IC Markets provide negative balance protection and client fund segregation, which adds a layer of safety for retail traders in Bulgaria.
| 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 with either broker as a Bulgarian client is straightforward thanks to Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank Transfers in USD are available at both brokers with no incoming fee from the broker, though Bulgarian banks may charge an intermediary fee; processing takes 1-3 business days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant, and withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets and within one to two business days at EasyMarkets. USDT TRC20 is a fast option for Bulgarian traders who prefer crypto; it is typically credited within 15-30 minutes at IC Markets, while EasyMarkets processes it through payment partners. Withdrawals at both brokers are usually completed via the same method used for deposit. Bulgarian traders should note that e-wallet and crypto methods may incur small network or conversion fees, so checking the broker's fee schedule is important.
| 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 |
Bulgarian Muslim traders can open swap-free accounts at both EasyMarkets and IC Markets. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts on all its account types with no overnight swap fees, and it applies a small admin fee after holding positions for a long period. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw Spread accounts, also waiving swap charges. Neither broker charges swap on these accounts, making them suitable for Sharia-compliant trading. Bulgarian traders who hold positions overnight will benefit from the same trading conditions as regular accounts, though some hedging restrictions may apply. It is recommended to contact support to activate the Islamic flag before depositing funds.
| 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 |
EasyMarkets provides Bulgarian traders with live chat and email support in English, and its website offers a Bulgarian language option. IC Markets also offers 24/7 live chat support, but the service is primarily English-only. For Bulgarian traders who prefer local language assistance, EasyMarkets has an advantage. IC Markets, however, compensates with more comprehensive educational resources and a larger FAQ library. Both brokers respond quickly, but EasyMarkets' localised support makes it easier for less experienced Bulgarian traders to get help in their native language.
| 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 Bulgarian retail traders, IC Markets is the clear winner in this comparison with a 4.8/5 rating versus EasyMarkets' 3.4/5. The combination of lower spreads, faster execution, and deeper liquidity gives IC Markets a decisive edge for active traders. EasyMarkets remains a solid choice for beginners who prefer fixed spreads and localised Bulgarian support. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and both are accessible through CySEC's MiFID II passporting. However, Bulgarian traders who want the best value for their USD deposits will find IC Markets hard to beat. The local FSC does not directly regulate forex brokers, so choosing a well-regulated international broker like IC Markets or EasyMarkets is essential for safety.