Which broker is better for Pakistan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Pakistan traders seeking high leverage and Islamic-compliant trading face a choice between two well-known international brokers: EasyMarkets and IC Markets. As of 2025, IC Markets holds a significantly higher overall rating of 4.8/5 compared to EasyMarkets' 3.4/5, making it the preferred option for many retail traders in Pakistan. Both brokers accept clients from Pakistan and offer local payment solutions including JazzCash, Easypaisa, USDT TRC20, and bank transfers – essential for seamless fund management. However, they differ in trading costs, execution speed, regulation, and platform features. With the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) overseeing local financial activities, Pakistani traders must also consider the lack of direct SECP regulation for these brokers. This comparison dives into every relevant aspect to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| 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 Pakistan traders, trading costs directly impact profitability, especially for high-frequency or high-volume trading. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs (e.g., EUR/USD) with a low commission of about $3.50 per lot round turn. This results in an effective cost of around 0.6 pips per trade. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, uses fixed spreads that start at 1.5 pips on EUR/USD with zero commission. While fixed spreads provide predictability, they are generally wider and can eat into profits over many trades. For Pakistani scalpers and day traders trading large volumes, IC Markets' lower per-trade cost is a significant advantage. Also, consider that both brokers offer Islamic accounts, so swap costs are not a factor. Overall, IC Markets offers superior cost efficiency for active traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan (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 provide popular trading platforms, but with different focuses. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web-based platform plus MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Its own platform features a simple interface with built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation and negative balance protection – ideal for beginners in Pakistan. IC Markets excels with MT4, MT5, and cTrader, catering to advanced traders who need fast execution, advanced charting, and algorithmic trading. For Pakistan traders who value speed and customization, IC Markets’ cTrader platform is particularly appealing due to its ultra-low latency and Level II pricing. Both brokers support mobile trading via dedicated apps, so you can trade from anywhere. If you prioritize simplicity, go with EasyMarkets; for full-featured trading, IC Markets wins.
| 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 speed and quality are vital for Pakistan traders, especially those using scalping or high-frequency strategies. IC Markets boasts true ECN execution with speeds under 40ms on average and no requotes. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with slower execution and occasional requotes, though it guarantees no negative slippage. For Pakistani traders requiring instant order fills and minimal slippage, IC Markets’ execution is far superior. EasyMarkets is better suited for beginners who prioritize trade guarantees over speed. IC Markets also offers VPS hosting for algorithmic traders, a feature rarely needed by typical retail traders in Pakistan but beneficial for advanced users.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical consideration for Pakistan traders since neither broker is licensed by the SECP. EasyMarkets is regulated by top-tier authorities including ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSC (British Virgin Islands). IC Markets is also regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and the FSA (Seychelles). While both have solid international oversight, the lack of SECP regulation means Pakistani traders do not have direct local complaints mechanisms. However, ASIC regulation (for both) offers strong client fund segregation and compensation schemes. For Pakistan traders, it is advisable to verify that your account falls under the stronger regulated entity (e.g., ASIC or CySEC) rather than a weaker offshore one. IC Markets’ higher rating partly reflects its robust regulatory compliance and transparency, which can offer more confidence to Pakistani traders.
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds in Pakistani Rupees (PKR) is convenient with both brokers. EasyMarkets and IC Markets support local methods including JazzCash, Easypaisa, USDT TRC20, and bank transfers. For deposits, JazzCash and Easypaisa are instant and processed in PKR, though intermediary fees may apply. USDT TRC20 (Tether on the TRON network) is a popular crypto method offering low fees and fast processing irrespective of bank hours. Bank transfers are available but may take 1-3 business days and incur higher fees. Withdrawals: Both brokers allow withdrawals via the same methods, but some methods (like JazzCash/Easypaisa) may only be available for deposits, while withdrawals are typically sent via bank transfer or USDT. It's important to check the latest withdrawal policies on each broker's website. IC Markets offers a slightly wider range of crypto options including USDT TRC20, which is favored by Pakistan traders for its speed and low cost.
| 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 Pakistan require Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law, and both brokers provide them. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts upon request with no swap on overnight positions, but there may be a maximum holding period (often 10 days) for some instruments. IC Markets also offers dedicated Islamic accounts with zero swaps and no time limit on most forex pairs. However, IC Markets may charge a small administrative fee for holding positions beyond a certain period under Islamic accounts. Both brokers allow Pakistani clients to open these accounts without additional paperwork. Given IC Markets' higher rating and more flexible terms, it is often the preferred choice among Pakistani Muslim traders. Always confirm the specific conditions with customer support before opening an Islamic account, as policies can change.
| 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 crucial for Pakistan traders facing time zone differences. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with reasonable response times. IC Markets also offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a reputation for faster and more knowledgeable agents. Neither broker offers Urdu-language support, but English proficiency is generally good. IC Markets’ support team is known for handling technical queries efficiently, which benefits Pakistani traders using advanced platforms. Overall, IC Markets edges ahead with slightly better response times and technical expertise, though both are adequate.
| 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 Pakistan traders in 2025, IC Markets emerges as the clear winner with its higher rating of 4.8 vs EasyMarkets’ 3.4, driven by superior spreads, execution, and platform options. While EasyMarkets offers a reassuring environment for beginners with fixed costs and localized payment methods like JazzCash and Easypaisa, IC Markets caters to the vast majority of retail traders who prioritize low costs, high leverage, and fast trades. Both brokers support Islamic accounts and local deposits via JazzCash, Easypaisa, USDT TRC20, and bank transfers, making them accessible. However, given that neither is regulated by SECP, Pakistani traders should trade with caution and consider using the stronger ASIC-regulated entities. Overall, IC Markets is recommended for most Pakistan traders, unless you are a complete beginner willing to pay a premium for simplicity.