Which broker is better for India traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing the right forex broker is crucial for India's growing class of tech-savvy retail traders and middle-class investors. In this head-to-head comparison, we pit EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) against IC Markets (score 4.8/5) for 2025. While EasyMarkets is known for its simplicity and innovative risk tools like DealCancellation, IC Markets dominates with industry-leading low spreads, ultra-fast execution, and a wide array of platforms (MetaTrader 4/5, cTrader). Both brokers accept deposits via UPI, IMPS, NEFT, Skrill, and USDT, making them accessible for INR-based traders. However, since neither is regulated by SEBI, Indian traders must rely on international licenses (CySEC, FSA, ASIC) and comply with RBI's LRS for fund transfers. This guide digs into costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you decide which broker fits your trading style.
| 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 India traders, trading costs are paramount. IC Markets consistently offers lower spreads, especially on its Raw Spread account where major pairs like EUR/USD start from 0.0 pips with a $3.5 commission per lot. In contrast, EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.0–1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission—convenient but pricier for frequent traders. On USD/INR, which is of interest to Indian traders, IC Markets' spreads are around 0.5–0.7 pips, while EasyMarkets charges 1.5–2.0 pips. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets saves approximately $100–$200 in spread costs. If you trade high volume or scalp, IC Markets' fee structure is clearly superior.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| India (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 the full suite: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and WebTrader—perfect for Indian traders who want algorithmic trading or custom indicators. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which is user-friendly but lacks advanced features like Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom scripts. For tech-savvy Indian traders, IC Markets’ platform variety and support for automated trading via MT4/5 APIs is a major advantage. EasyMarkets’ platform is better for beginners who prefer simplicity and built-in risk tools like DealCancellation and free guaranteed stop losses.
| 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 boasts average execution speeds under 40 milliseconds and uses Equinix NY4 data centers, offering near-zero slippage on major pairs. This suits scalpers and high-frequency India traders. EasyMarkets uses a market execution model with no requotes, but its execution speed is slower (around 100–200 ms) due to its own liquidity aggregation. For active traders, IC Markets’ execution quality is a key differentiator, while EasyMarkets works fine for casual traders who prioritise simplicity over speed.
| 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 Board of India (SEBI). EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FSA (Seychelles), while IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC (Australia) and CySEC for EU clients. For Indian traders, this means no SEBI investor protection, but both brokers adhere to international standards like negative balance protection and client fund segregation. When trading with offshore brokers, Indian users must use the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) to transfer funds abroad. Always verify the broker’s current licensing status and ensure your funds are held in segregated accounts.
| 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 |
India traders can fund both brokers using UPI, IMPS, NEFT, Skrill, and USDT (cryptocurrency). At EasyMarkets, the minimum deposit is $100 (approx ₹8,300) and withdrawals are processed within 1 business day with no internal fees. IC Markets requires $200 (approx ₹16,600) as minimum deposit and also offers free withdrawals via the same methods. For Skrill deposits, both brokers process instantly. USDT deposits are available via Tether (ERC20/TRC20) with low fees. Note that bank transfers (IMPS/NEFT) may take 1-3 hours to reflect. For withdrawals, both brokers require returning to the original deposit method first (e.g., Skrill to Skrill). The entire process is smooth, but IC Markets has a slightly larger minimum deposit threshold.
| 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 India who require Sharia-compliant trading without overnight interest. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request with no swap charges on any instrument, making it fully compliant. IC Markets also offers swap-free accounts, but they apply a holding period limit—typically up to 10 days—after which a swap fee may be charged on certain instruments. Indian Muslim traders should carefully review the terms of each broker’s Islamic account, as EasyMarkets appears more accommodating for long-term positions, while IC Markets is better suited for short-term intraday strategies within the swap-free window.
| 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 Hindi and English. Their response times are fast, typically under 30 seconds. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited to business hours. For Indian traders trading during Asian sessions, IC Markets’ 24/7 availability is a clear advantage. EasyMarkets’ support is adequate but slower on weekends. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and knowledge bases.
| 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 the typical Indian retail trader—especially the growing middle class and tech-oriented investors—IC Markets is the superior choice overall. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects tighter spreads, faster execution, and a diverse platform ecosystem that supports algorithmic trading. While EasyMarkets offers a simpler experience and innovative tools like DealCancellation, its higher costs and slower execution limit its appeal to active traders. Both brokers accept local payments UPI, IMPS, NEFT, Skrill, and USDT, making them easy to fund from India. However, IC Markets' lower minimum deposit of $200 (approx ₹16,600) is reasonable given the cost savings. If you prioritise low trading costs and full control over your strategies, IC Markets wins. If you are new and want a safer, user-friendly environment, EasyMarkets may be a better starting point. Always remember, neither broker is SEBI-regulated, so trade responsibly and within RBI guidelines.