Which broker is better for Ghana traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Ghana's growing community of mobile-first forex traders has two prominent options: EasyMarkets and IC Markets. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly fixed‑spread platform and low minimum deposit, appealing to beginners. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, dominates with institutional-grade spreads and fast execution, ideal for active traders. Both brokers welcome Ghanaian clients and support local payment methods including MTN MoMo, Vodafone Cash, and bank transfers, allowing easy deposits in GHS. While neither is directly regulated by SEC Ghana, they are licensed by top-tier international authorities (CySEC, ASIC, FCA). For Ghanaians trading on the go, the choice often comes down to simplicity versus cost efficiency. This comparison examines trading costs, platforms, deposit options, and regulatory safeguards to help you decide which broker aligns with your goals in 2025.
| 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 |
When comparing spreads for Ghana traders, IC Markets has a clear edge. Its Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot round‑turn, while EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads starting at 1.0 pips with no commission. For high‑volume traders in Ghana, IC Markets’ lower variable spreads can reduce costs substantially—potentially saving hundreds of cedis per month. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide predictability, beneficial during volatile news events, but they are consistently higher. Swap rates also differ: IC Markets attracts scalpers with competitive overnight rates, whereas EasyMarkets may charge more on certain pairs. Always check the live spreads on your preferred mobile platform, as both brokers display real‑time rates.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana (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 cater to mobile‑first Ghana traders. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web‑based platform and a mobile app with one‑click trading, risk management tools like dealCancellation, and a clean interface. IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader—all fully functional on smartphones with advanced charting and automated trading. For Ghanaians who value simplicity and built‑in educational features, EasyMarkets is convenient. For those needing advanced order types, EA support, and custom indicators, IC Markets is the better choice. Both platforms run smoothly on typical mobile data speeds in Accra and Kumasi.
| 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 critical for Ghana traders, especially with mobile internet. IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 servers and offers execution under 40ms for most clients, resulting in low slippage and fast order fills. EasyMarkets also provides decent execution but may experience slippage during high volatility due to its market‑maker model. For scalpers or news traders in Ghana, IC Markets’ straight‑through‑processing (STP) and no‑dealing‑desk model is superior. Both brokers offer stop‑loss and limit orders, but IC Markets’ execution speed gives an edge in fast markets.
| 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 the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ghana. However, both hold licenses from top‑tier regulators: EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (EU) and ASIC (Australia); IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and the FCA (UK). For Ghana traders, this means your funds are held in segregated accounts and protected by compensation schemes (e.g., up to €20,000 under CySEC). While SEC Ghana oversight is absent, these international licenses provide a high level of security. Always verify the specific entity you open an account with—IC Markets often operates under its Seychelles entity for African clients, which offers less protection.
| 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 |
Ghana traders can fund their accounts using MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash, and local bank transfers with both brokers. EasyMarkets accepts deposits from as low as $25 (approx. 350 GHS) via MoMo, processed instantly with no fees. IC Markets requires a $200 minimum (about 2,800 GHS) for bank transfers, but mobile money deposits may have a lower threshold depending on the payment provider. Withdrawals are processed within 1–2 business days for MoMo and 3–5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers typically do not charge withdrawal fees, but your mobile money operator may apply a small transaction fee. Ensure that the name on your trading account matches your MoMo wallet for smooth processing. We recommend using MTN MoMo for speed and reliability.
| 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 |
Muslim traders in Ghana can open Islamic (swap‑free) accounts with both EasyMarkets and IC Markets. EasyMarkets offers swap‑free accounts on all its account types, with no overnight interest on any instrument. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw Spread accounts, but not on its cTrader platform. Both require a formal request after account opening. For Ghanaians who trade long‑term and hold positions overnight, these accounts avoid riba (interest) while giving full access to the same spreads and leverage. However, some brokers may charge an administrative fee after a holding period (e.g., IC Markets may apply a fee after 10 days). Check the terms before opening.
| 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 24/5 for both brokers, with live chat, email, and phone. EasyMarkets offers support in English with response times under 30 minutes on chat. IC Markets provides faster live chat responses (often under 5 minutes) and a comprehensive FAQ. For Ghana traders, the key difference is timezone: IC Markets’ support aligns better with African trading hours due to its global team. EasyMarkets’ support is competent but may be slower during peak hours. Neither offers dedicated Ghana phone numbers, but both accept WhatsApp queries.
| 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 Ghana traders in 2025, the choice between EasyMarkets and IC Markets depends on your experience and trading style. EasyMarkets is the safer bet for beginners: low entry cost (25 GHS), fixed spreads, and mobile money support via MTN MoMo and Vodafone Cash make it friction‑free. IC Markets, however, offers superior value for active traders: raw spreads from 0.0 pips, lightning‑fast execution, and advanced tools—but requires a higher initial deposit (200 USD equivalent). While neither is regulated by SEC Ghana, both maintain strong international licenses. Given its higher overall score (4.8 vs 3.4) and better cost structure, IC Markets is the recommended choice for serious Ghana traders who can meet the minimum deposit. If you are just starting, EasyMarkets is a solid alternative to learn without risking much capital.