EasyMarkets vs IC Markets for Netherlands Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Netherlands traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Netherlands Traders
Netherlands traders looking for a reliable forex broker in 2025 face a choice between EasyMarkets and IC Markets. Both brokers accept clients from the Netherlands and support deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 – important for Dutch traders who value flexibility. However, their trading conditions differ greatly. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for fixed spreads, no slippage, and a simple platform that suits beginners. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips, advanced execution, and multiple platform choices like MT4, MT5, and cTrader. The local financial regulator (AFM) does not directly oversee either broker, but both operate under reputable international licenses. For Dutch retail traders, the decision comes down to trading style: EasyMarkets for simplicity and cost certainty, IC Markets for low costs and professional-grade tools. This comparison provides a detailed breakdown tailored to Netherlands traders, including deposit methods, regulation, and trading costs.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| 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 Netherlands traders, trading costs are a major factor. IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a commission of $7 per lot round turn, significantly cheaper for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets has fixed spreads from 1.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with no commission but wider spreads that increase costs over many trades. A Dutch trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD would pay roughly $70 in commissions at IC Markets versus $100 in spread costs at EasyMarkets. EasyMarkets also charges for inactivity after 6 months, while IC Markets has no inactivity fee. For scalpers and day traders in the Netherlands, IC Markets clearly offers lower overall costs.
Account Types Comparison
| 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 |
Leverage Comparison - Netherlands Traders
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands (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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| 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 |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides three industry-leading platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. MetaTrader 5 is especially popular among Netherlands traders for its advanced charting tools and hedging capabilities. cTrader offers a modern interface with depth of market and level II pricing. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and MetaTrader 4. Its proprietary platform features dealCancellation, a tool that lets traders cancel losing trades for a fee. For Netherlands traders who prefer advanced automation, algorithmic trading, or multi-asset access, IC Markets' platform suite is superior. EasyMarkets is simpler and better for beginners who want a user-friendly interface.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| 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 top-tier liquidity providers and offers execution speeds under 1 millisecond, making it ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading in the Netherlands. It supports no-dealing-desk (NDD) execution with no requotes. EasyMarkets also uses NDD execution but with fixed spreads and a unique dealCancellation feature that can prevent losses. However, its execution speed is slower, and slippage is controlled rather than eliminated. For Netherlands traders who need fast fills and tight spreads for strategies like news trading or scalping, IC Markets is the clear choice.
Regulation & Safety for Netherlands Traders
| 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) and ASIC (Australia), and is listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange. IC Markets is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, the FSA (Seychelles), and the FCA (UK). Neither broker is directly regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). However, both comply with European MiFID II standards through their CySEC entities, which offers Dutch traders client fund segregation and negative balance protection. IC Markets' additional ASIC regulation provides extra oversight. For Netherlands traders, this means a comparable level of safety, but IC Markets' multi-regulatory framework adds an edge.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Netherlands
| 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 |
Netherlands traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. EasyMarkets also accepts credit cards and some local European bank transfers. IC Markets additionally supports PayPal, credit/debit cards, and wire transfers. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets requires $100 for standard accounts, IC Markets $200 for Raw Spread accounts. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes and are popular among crypto-savvy Dutch traders. Withdrawals: e-wallets typically processed within 24 hours, bank transfers 2-5 business days. EasyMarkets does not charge withdrawal fees, while IC Markets charges a small fee for wire transfers but not for e-wallets. Both brokers require account verification before withdrawals.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Netherlands Muslims
| 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 the Netherlands. These accounts eliminate overnight swap charges, complying with Sharia principles. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader) with no additional costs or restrictions beyond the standard account terms. EasyMarkets offers swap-free accounts on its proprietary platform and MT4, but may have limited instrument availability. Dutch traders can request the Islamic account during registration by contacting support. Both brokers require the account to be used for genuine religious purposes. For Netherlands traders, IC Markets offers more flexibility with platform choice and instrument range.
Customer Support Comparison
| 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Dutch language support available during business hours. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with Dutch language options. IC Markets' support is more responsive and available around the clock, which benefits Netherlands traders trading during international sessions. EasyMarkets' support is adequate but slower on weekends. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ and knowledge bases, but IC Markets adds a community forum.
Mobile App Comparison
| 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
EasyMarkets
IC Markets
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Netherlands Guide
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
- Are a beginner trader in the Netherlands looking for simple platforms and fixed costs.
- Prefer the safety net of dealCancellation to mitigate losing trades.
- Want to avoid variable spreads and slippage during volatile markets.
- Value a low minimum deposit ($100) and straightforward account setup.
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are an active or professional trader in the Netherlands needing low spreads and fast execution.
- Use expert advisors (EAs) or algorithmic trading strategies that require raw spreads and deep liquidity.
- Want access to multiple platforms including cTrader and MT5 for advanced charting and backtesting.
- Prefer deposit methods like USDT TRC20 and e-wallets with instant processing and low fees.
FAQ - EasyMarkets vs IC Markets in Netherlands
Final Verdict - Netherlands 2026
For Netherlands traders in 2025, IC Markets is the stronger overall choice with a score of 4.8/5 compared to EasyMarkets' 3.4/5. IC Markets offers superior trading costs, faster execution, and a wider range of platforms, making it ideal for active retail traders. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 aligns well with Dutch payment preferences. However, EasyMarkets remains a solid option for beginners who value fixed spreads and tools like dealCancellation. Both brokers operate outside direct AFM regulation but are overseen by reputable international bodies. If you prioritize low costs and professional features, choose IC Markets; if simplicity and fixed costs matter more, EasyMarkets is a worthy alternative.