Which broker is better for Liechtenstein traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Liechtenstein, a small but financially sophisticated principality, has a growing community of retail forex traders who seek reliable brokers with competitive costs and local-friendly payment methods. Two popular choices are EasyMarkets and IC Markets. EasyMarkets, founded in 2001, is known for its user-friendly web platform and fixed spreads, making it ideal for beginners. IC Markets, established in 2007, is a top-tier broker with ultra-low spreads, deep liquidity, and support for MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader. For Liechtenstein traders trading in USD, both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, IC Markets holds a significantly higher overall score of 4.8/5 compared to EasyMarkets 3.4/5, reflecting its superior cost efficiency and execution quality. This comparison highlights key differences in spreads, regulation (including the local Financial Market Authority), platforms, and deposit options to help you choose the right broker for 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 Liechtenstein traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when trading in USD. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, resulting in a total cost of about $7 per round turn. In contrast, EasyMarkets has fixed spreads starting at 1.2 pips with no commission, costing roughly $12 per round turn on EUR/USD. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets saves around $500 in direct costs. For active Liechtenstein traders who trade frequently or hold positions overnight, IC Markets’ lower spreads and ECN pricing clearly provide a more economical choice, while EasyMarkets may suit those who prefer predictable fixed costs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Liechtenstein (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web platform and a mobile app, both designed for simplicity and ease of use, with built-in risk management tools like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-loss. IC Markets offers the full MetaTrader 4/5 suite, cTrader, and web trading, catering to both beginners and advanced traders. For Liechtenstein traders who rely on automated strategies, custom indicators, or algorithmic trading, IC Markets’ MT4/MT5 and cTrader offer far more flexibility. The availability of ECN pricing and deep liquidity on IC Markets also ensures better order execution for scalpers and day traders. EasyMarkets is better suited for casual traders who value a straightforward, no-fuss trading experience.
| 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 an ECN broker that provides direct market access with execution speeds under 40ms and minimal slippage, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Liechtenstein. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with dealing desk execution, which can result in requotes and slightly slower order processing. For Liechtenstein traders who prioritize fast, transparent execution, IC Markets clearly outperforms, especially during volatile market conditions.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA). IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), CySEC, and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Neither broker is directly licensed by the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (FMA). However, their CySEC-regulated entities operate under EU passporting, allowing them to offer services to Liechtenstein clients under MiFID II. This provides a degree of investor protection through the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000) and negative balance protection. For Liechtenstein traders, this regulatory framework ensures a baseline of security, though IC Markets’ multiple-tier regulation adds an extra layer of confidence.
| 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 |
Liechtenstein traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. EasyMarkets has a minimum deposit of $100 and processes withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1–2 business days for bank transfers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 but offers similar processing times: 24 hours for Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and 1–3 days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, though bank transfer fees may apply from the sending bank. EasyMarkets supports additional methods like credit/debit cards and PayPal, while IC Markets also accepts PayPal and other cryptocurrencies. For rapid funding and withdrawal, the USDT TRC20 option is particularly useful for Liechtenstein traders who prefer crypto transactions with low fees and instant processing.
| 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 provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Liechtenstein. EasyMarkets offers swap-free accounts with no restrictions on holding periods, making them suitable for long-term traders who want to avoid overnight interest charges. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts on request, but conditions may vary by regulatory entity—for example, CySEC-regulated accounts may require proof of faith and have a limited swap-free period. Liechtenstein traders requesting an Islamic account should compare the specific terms, including whether the account is available on all platforms (e.g., MT4 vs. cTrader) and if any administrative fees apply. EasyMarkets generally provides a more straightforward policy for swap-free trading.
| 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 |
EasyMarkets offers customer support 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone, with English as the primary language. IC Markets provides 24/7 support by live chat, email, and phone, also in English. For Liechtenstein traders, both brokers offer email and chat responses within a few hours. IC Markets’ around-the-clock availability is beneficial for traders who operate during non-European hours or need immediate assistance during weekends. However, EasyMarkets’ support is still responsive and covers standard trading hours well.
| 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 Liechtenstein traders, IC Markets emerges as the clear winner with a score of 4.8/5 compared to EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. It offers significantly lower spreads, faster execution, a wider range of trading platforms, and robust regulation from ASIC and CySEC. Both brokers support essential local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but IC Markets’ lower overall costs and ECN pricing make it more suitable for cost-conscious active traders. EasyMarkets may appeal to complete beginners or those who want a straightforward experience with fixed costs. However, given the Liechtenstein trader profile and the local financial regulator’s emphasis on investor protection, IC Markets provides a better balance of cost, reliability, and flexibility for most retail traders.