Which broker is better for France traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing EasyMarkets vs IC Markets for France traders in 2025, the key differences come down to cost, regulation, and trading style. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and simple platform, making it a choice for beginners or those who prefer predictable costs. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, offers ultra-low variable spreads, faster execution, and a wider range of platforms like MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader. Both brokers accept French traders and support local payment methods such as SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PayPal, and allow trading in EUR. However, the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) does not directly regulate either broker, so French traders should be aware that they operate under overseas regulators (EasyMarkets under FSCA, IC Markets under CySEC/ASIC). This comparison will help you decide which broker fits your trading needs in France.
| 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 France traders, trading costs are a major factor, especially for active forex pairs like EUR/USD. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account (with a $3.50 commission per lot), which is considerably cheaper than EasyMarkets’ fixed spread of around 1.2 pips on the same pair. Over 100 lots per month, IC Markets saves French traders hundreds of euros in spread costs. EasyMarkets’ all-in pricing (no commission) may appeal to traders who dislike commissions, but the higher spreads penalise frequent trading. For high-volume French traders, IC Markets is the clear cost winner.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| France (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 offers French traders the full MetaTrader suite (MT4, MT5) plus cTrader, all of which are available in French language and provide advanced charting tools, automated trading, and EA support. EasyMarkets provides its own web-based platform and mobile app, which is simpler but lacks the depth and customisation that experienced French traders often need. Both platforms are stable, but IC Markets’ platform choice is superior for traders who rely on technical indicators, scripts, or algorithmic strategies.
| 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 offers superior execution with low latency, minimal slippage, and an average execution speed under 40ms. EasyMarkets does not disclose execution speeds but is known for occasional requotes during volatile markets. For French day traders and scalpers, IC Markets’ execution quality is a clear advantage.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor IC Markets is regulated by France’s AMF. EasyMarkets is licenced by the FSCA (South Africa) and CySEC, while IC Markets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and the FSA (Seychelles). For French traders, this means they are not covered by local investor protection schemes. However, both brokers adhere to EU regulations (MiFID II) via their CySEC licences, offering segregation of client funds and negative balance protection. French traders should still exercise caution and consider the lack of direct AMF oversight as a risk factor.
| 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 |
French traders can fund their accounts using SEPA bank transfer, Bank Transfer, and PayPal at both EasyMarkets and IC Markets. Deposits are usually free and processed instantly for PayPal and cards. Bank transfers (SEPA) may take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are also free at both brokers, though EasyMarkets requires a minimum withdrawal of €25 while IC Markets has no minimum. IC Markets processes withdrawals within 24 hours, faster than EasyMarkets’ 2-3 business days. All transactions are in EUR, avoiding conversion fees. This makes both brokers accessible for France-based 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 Muslim traders in France who require compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward swap-free account with no overnight interest, but positions held for longer periods may incur a small administration fee. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts on request, with no swaps on most forex pairs and no additional fees for short-term holding. French Muslim traders should contact support to confirm eligibility and conditions before opening an Islamic account with either broker.
| 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 provides 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with French language availability (though most support is in English). EasyMarkets offers support in French through live chat, email, and phone, with timings from 8:00–20:00 CET. IC Markets’ support is more responsive and available around the clock, which is beneficial for French traders who trade during non-European sessions.
| 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 most France traders, IC Markets is the stronger choice for forex and CFD trading in 2025. Its lower spreads, better platform selection, faster execution, and higher overall rating (4.8/5 vs 3.4/5) make it ideal for active traders. Both brokers accept SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PayPal deposits, and support EUR accounts. However, neither is regulated by the AMF, so French traders should verify the terms and understand the risk of offshore regulation. EasyMarkets remains a decent option for beginners seeking simplicity and fixed costs. Overall, IC Markets wins this comparison for France traders prioritising cost and performance.