Which broker is better for Colombia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When Colombian traders search for a reliable forex broker, two names often appear: EasyMarkets and IC Markets. With EasyMarkets scoring 3.4/5 and IC Markets achieving 4.8/5 in our 2025 reviews, the gap reflects real differences in trading costs, platform features, and overall value for retail traders. Colombia's trading community relies on local payment methods like PSE, Bank Transfer, and USDT to fund accounts, and both brokers support these options. However, the choice goes beyond payments. Spreads, regulation (though not directly from AMV Colombia), and execution speed matter heavily for traders in Colombia who often face volatile market conditions and need low-cost access to global forex. This comparison breaks down each factor specifically for your Colombian context.
| 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 Colombian traders, trading costs are a decisive factor. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $7 per lot, while EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. On a standard lot of EUR/USD, the total cost is $12 for IC Markets (commission + spread) versus $12 for EasyMarkets (spread only) – but IC Markets becomes cheaper on higher volumes as spreads stay tighter during news events. Colombian traders often trade smaller sizes, so the no-commission model of EasyMarkets may seem attractive, yet IC Markets’ variable spreads can drop below 0.5 pips in liquid hours. Considering COP conversion costs, IC Markets provides better long-term savings for frequent 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, but IC Markets also provides cTrader, which is popular among advanced Colombian traders for its depth of market and advanced charting. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform with a clean interface and dealCancellation tool, useful for beginners. IC Markets’ platforms support EA trading and algorithmic strategies, while EasyMarkets is more suited for manual trading. Colombian traders who rely on mobile trading will find both have robust apps, but IC Markets’ cTrader mobile app gives faster execution. The choice depends on whether you need advanced tools or simplicity.
| 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 known for its ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging less than 40ms, supported by Equinix data centers in New York and London. EasyMarkets offers good execution but with an average of 100ms, which can lead to slippage during volatile news events. For Colombian traders trading major pairs during overlap of London and New York sessions (coinciding with Colombian business hours), IC Markets’ execution quality gives a competitive edge. No-dealing-desk execution at IC Markets ensures transparency, while EasyMarkets uses a hybrid model that can re-quote on volatile markets.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Colombian traders must understand that neither EasyMarkets nor IC Markets is regulated by AMV Colombia. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC and FCA, while IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, and FSA (Seychelles). For Colombians, this means deposits are not protected by local investor compensation schemes. However, IC Markets’ higher regulatory tier (ASIC) is considered more stringent and offers negative balance protection, which is a safety net for retail traders. EasyMarkets also provides negative balance protection but with less regulatory oversight. Colombian traders should verify that their chosen broker is not on AMV’s warning list and consider using a broker with a solid international reputation.
| 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 |
Colombian traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using PSE (local bank transfer), international Bank Transfer, and USDT (cryptocurrency). EasyMarkets supports PSE via third-party payment processors, but the minimum deposit is $25 (approx. 100,000 COP). IC Markets also accepts PSE with a $200 minimum (approx. 800,000 COP). USDT deposits are fast and low-cost, with processing within minutes. Bank Transfer may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary fees. Withdrawals at both brokers are processed within 24 hours to PSE or USDT, but EasyMarkets charges a small fee for bank wire withdrawals. IC Markets offers free weekly withdrawals via PSE. Colombian traders should check current exchange rates as conversion to base currency can add costs. Overall, IC Markets offers more flexibility and lower fees for Colombian payment methods.
| 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 |
For Colombian Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant accounts, both EasyMarkets and IC Markets offer Swap-Free accounts. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts on request, with no interest charges on overnight positions, but traders must confirm eligibility and may be restricted to certain instruments. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts to all clients after submitting a simple request through the client portal, with no extra fees. However, both brokers may apply a handling fee after holding positions beyond a certain period (e.g., 30 days). Colombian traders should check the specific terms for each broker to avoid unexpected charges. IC Markets is generally more transparent and easier to set up an Islamic account.
| 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 |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with agents who handle Spanish fluently. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support in English and Spanish, but response times can be slower during weekends. Colombian traders prefer brokers with Spanish-speaking support, and both meet this requirement. However, IC Markets’ dedicated account managers for high-volume traders can be an advantage for serious retail traders in Colombia. Overall, IC Markets provides more responsive and multilingual support.
| 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...
After reviewing both brokers for Colombian traders, IC Markets clearly leads in 2025 with a 4.8/5 score versus EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. The deciding factors are lower spreads, faster execution, better platform selection, and support for Colombian payment methods like PSE, Bank Transfer, and USDT with fewer fees. While EasyMarkets offers simplicity and fixed costs suitable for beginners, IC Markets delivers superior value for most retail traders in Colombia who want to minimise trading expenses. Note that neither broker is regulated by AMV Colombia, so traders should exercise caution and only invest with reputable international brokers. If you trade actively or use automated systems, IC Markets is the stronger choice. If you prefer a straightforward platform with guaranteed spreads and smaller initial deposits, EasyMarkets may still work.