Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Iceland is a small but active forex market, with traders often relying on offshore brokers due to limited local options. Both EasyMarkets and IC Markets accept Icelandic clients, offer USD accounts, and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. The local financial regulator (Central Bank of Iceland) oversees financial services but does not regulate forex brokers directly, so traders must choose reputable brokers. IC Markets scores 4.8/5 with excellent spreads and fast execution, while EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5 with user-friendly fixed spreads and risk management tools. This comparison will help you decide which broker better suits your trading style and needs in Iceland.
| 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 |
IC Markets offers a raw spread model starting from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.5 per lot round-turn, making it very cost-effective for high-volume Iceland traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, which is simpler but more expensive per trade. For Iceland traders trading small lots, the difference is minor, but active traders who execute many trades per week will save significantly with IC Markets. Additionally, IC Markets provides lower swap rates on USD pairs, which can matter for long-term positions.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland (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 MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all of which are powerful platforms preferred by technical traders in Iceland for advanced charting, automated trading, and fast order entry. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and MetaTrader 4, with a cleaner interface ideal for beginners. For Icelandic traders requiring algorithmic trading or depth-of-market data, IC Markets is the clear winner. However, EasyMarkets’ platform offers built-in risk management tools like guaranteed stop-loss and deal cancellation, which are unique advantages.
| 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 a No Dealing Desk (NDD) ECN model with execution speeds under 40 milliseconds, ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders in Iceland. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with re-quotes on volatile markets, but they offer a guaranteed stop-loss feature with no slippage. For Iceland traders who need fast, reliable execution, IC Markets is superior. However, those prioritizing risk certainty may prefer EasyMarkets’ guaranteed execution.
| 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 FSA (Seychelles), while IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and FCA (UK). For Iceland traders, these international regulators provide a degree of oversight, but they are not covered by the local financial regulator’s investor compensation scheme. Both brokers segregate client funds and participate in external dispute resolution. The lack of direct local regulation means Iceland traders should verify each broker’s compliance history and choose based on reputation and financial stability.
| 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 |
Iceland traders have several deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. Bank Transfer is available but can take 2-5 business days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant with low fees, and USDT TRC20 is a fast, low-cost method for crypto-savvy traders. IC Markets processes withdrawals within 24 hours, while EasyMarkets typically takes 1-3 business days. Minimum deposits: $100 for EasyMarkets, $200 for IC Markets. Both support withdrawal via the same methods, but IC Markets does not charge deposit fees whereas EasyMarkets may charge a small fee for some methods. USDT TRC20 is particularly useful for avoiding currency conversion fees since Iceland traders use USD.
| 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 Iceland who require Sharia-compliant trading. These accounts do not earn or pay overnight interest on positions. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request, and they are available on the Standard account. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts automatically for clients from Islamic regions on both Razor and Standard accounts. Iceland Muslim traders should contact support to confirm eligibility and any additional conditions, such as account holding periods.
| 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 live chat, email, and phone support in multiple languages, including English, which is widely spoken in Iceland. Their response times are fast, often within minutes. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support with live chat and email, but limited weekend hours. For Iceland traders who trade outside standard hours, IC Markets is more accessible. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| 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 Iceland traders, IC Markets is the better overall choice due to its competitive spreads, fast execution, and advanced platforms, reflected in its high score of 4.8/5. EasyMarkets remains a solid option for beginners or risk-averse traders who value fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss. Both brokers support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making them accessible. However, IC Markets offers more flexibility and lower costs for active retail traders. Considering Iceland’s lack of direct forex regulation, the choice between these two should be based on trading style and cost sensitivity.