Which broker is better for Canada traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing EasyMarkets vs IC Markets for Canada traders in 2025, the choice often comes down to trading style and cost preference. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, which appeal to beginners who prefer predictable costs. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a powerhouse for active and high-volume traders, offering tight raw spreads and advanced platforms like cTrader and MT4/MT5. Both brokers accept Canadian clients and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Interac, and Credit Card, making it easy to fund accounts in CAD. However, IC Markets edges ahead with lower spreads and faster execution, while EasyMarkets provides a more straightforward experience with no commission fees. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Canadian retail traders: regulatory oversight by IIROC, cost of trading CAD pairs, platform compatibility, and deposit/withdrawal convenience using Interac.
| 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 Canada traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when trading CAD-denominated pairs. IC Markets offers two account types: Raw Spread and Standard. The Raw Spread account features spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 commission per side per lot (USD), while the Standard account has no commission but spreads around 1.0 pip. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads exclusively, typically 1.2 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with no commission. Over high volumes, IC Markets' Raw Spread account can reduce costs by up to 50% compared to EasyMarkets. For example, a Canadian trader executing 10 lots per month would pay significantly less with IC Markets. Additionally, IC Markets supports hedging and scalping, which EasyMarkets restricts, making it more suitable for active trading strategies.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides an extensive platform suite including MT4, MT5, and cTrader, all of which are popular among Canadian traders for their advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and fast execution. Softwares cater to both beginners and professionals. EasyMarkets offers MT4 and its proprietary web-based platform, which is simpler and ideal for newcomers. While EasyMarkets' platform includes unique risk management features like deal cancellation, IC Markets' cTrader offers depth of market and true ECN trading. For Canadian traders who value customization and speed, IC Markets is the superior 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 |
IC Markets uses true ECN (Electronic Communication Network) execution, offering low latency and fast order fills with no requotes. This is ideal for Canadian scalpers and algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets uses a No Dealing Desk model with some manual intervention, resulting in slightly slower execution and potential requotes during volatile markets. For Canada traders who prioritize speed and transparency, IC Markets has a clear advantage.
| 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), ASIC (Australia), and the FSA (Seychelles), while IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC and CySEC. Neither broker is regulated by IIROC (Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization), which means Canadian clients do not have access to local investor protection funds (e.g., CIPF). However, both brokers have a long-standing reputation and are considered safe for retail traders. For Canada traders, it is important to understand that trading with an offshore broker carries higher risk, but both companies maintain clean regulatory records. IC Markets' ASIC regulation is particularly stringent, offering a similar level of protection to IIROC standards.
| 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 |
Canadian traders have several deposit and withdrawal options with both EasyMarkets and IC Markets. The preferred method is Interac, which processes instantly and is widely used. EasyMarkets accepts Interac, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card with no minimum deposit for Interac, while bank transfers require a minimum of $100. IC Markets also supports Interac, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, but the minimum deposit for bank transfer or credit card is $200. Withdrawals are processed similarly: Interac takes 1-24 hours, credit cards 3-5 days, and bank transfers 1-3 business days. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but credit card issuers may apply cash advance fees. For ease of use, Interac is the most efficient option for Canadian traders.
| 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 Canadian traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts automatically upon request, with no additional fees or conditions. IC Markets also offers Islamic accounts but requires traders to submit a formal request and verify their eligibility, typically by providing proof of faith or a declaration. Neither broker charges overnight interest on any positions held in Islamic accounts, making them suitable for long-term traders. However, IC Markets may impose a holding period limit on some instruments, while EasyMarkets has no such restrictions.
| 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 offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone 24/5, with a focus on English-speaking clients. IC Markets provides 24/7 support through live chat, email, and a comprehensive FAQ. For Canadian traders in EST time zone, IC Markets' round-the-clock support is advantageous for late-night trading or weekend queries. Both brokers have responsive teams, but IC Markets' multilingual support and faster response times make it slightly better.
| 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 Canada traders, IC Markets is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its superior trading costs, advanced platforms, and higher user score (4.8/5). The ability to deposit via Interac, Bank Transfer, or Credit Card in CAD makes funding simple, and the raw spreads significantly reduce trading expenses. However, EasyMarkets remains a viable option for beginners who value simplicity and fixed spreads. While neither broker is IIROC-regulated, both are reputable offshore entities. If you trade actively or require low spreads, IC Markets wins. If you're just starting and want a straightforward experience, EasyMarkets is worth considering.