Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Romania’s forex trading community is expanding rapidly, and local traders are increasingly comparing international brokers like EasyMarkets and IC Markets. Both offer access to global markets with support for RON deposits via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. However, they serve different trader profiles. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, positions itself as a user-friendly, fixed-spread broker ideal for beginners. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a top-tier ECN broker known for tight spreads, high liquidity, and professional-grade execution. For Romania traders looking to trade EUR/USD, indices, or commodities, the choice often comes down to cost versus convenience. This comparison examines the key factors – from spreads and platforms to regulation and local payment methods – to help you decide which broker fits your trading style in 2025.
| 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 |
Trading costs are a critical factor for Romania traders, especially given the growing number of active retail investors. IC Markets offers significantly lower spreads, with raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD (plus a $7 round-turn commission per lot). This is ideal for scalpers and volume traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 0.9 pips on major pairs, with no commission – but its costs are higher for frequent trading. For example, a Romania trader executing 10 lots per month would pay roughly 3x more at EasyMarkets. Also, neither broker charges deposit fees, but IC Markets provides more commission-free account options through its Standard account (spreads from 1.0 pips). Consider your monthly volume when deciding.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (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 support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Romanian traders for their advanced charting and automated trading. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a powerful ECN platform with depth-of-market and faster execution – a big plus for active traders. EasyMarkets provides its own proprietary web platform and mobile app, which are beginner-friendly but lack the flexibility of MT4/MT5 for serious analysis. If you rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or custom indicators, IC Markets is the better choice. EasyMarkets’ proprietary interface simplifies order placement but may feel limiting for advanced Romania traders.
| 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 quality is a standout difference. IC Markets uses direct ECN/STP technology with no dealing desk, offering average execution under 40ms and low slippage – ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with fixed spreads and requotes, which can be frustrating for fast-moving markets. Romania traders who prioritize speed and transparency will strongly favor IC Markets. EasyMarkets’ execution is fine for longer-term trading but limits opportunities for intraday strategies. Both offer hedging and EA compatibility, but IC Markets’ infrastructure handles higher volumes without re-quotes.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Romania traders, especially under the ASF Romania (Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară) oversight. Neither EasyMarkets nor IC Markets is directly regulated by ASF, but both hold licenses from CySEC (Cyprus) and other respected bodies, allowing them to serve EU clients under MiFID II. IC Markets also adheres to Australian ASIC and FSA (Seychelles) rules. For Romanian traders, this means protection via negative balance policies and segregated client funds at IC Markets. EasyMarkets offers similar safeguards. While ASF’s direct oversight is absent, these brokers comply with EU investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000 via CySEC). Always check the entity you open an account with – choose the CySEC-regulated one for maximum protection.
| 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 locally is seamless for Romania traders. Both EasyMarkets and IC Markets accept Bank Transfer ( transfers from Romanian banks like Banca Transilvania or BRD), Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), and Skrill. Instant deposits via credit card or Skrill are common; bank transfers take 1-2 business days. IC Markets also supports Neteller, PayPal, and local E-wallets. Withdrawals are processed within 1 business day at IC Markets (free) and 1-3 days at EasyMarkets (free). Both allow RON-denominated accounts, avoiding conversion fees on deposits. For larger withdrawals, bank transfers are reliable; for quick payouts, Skrill or Neteller are ideal. Always verify that your chosen method is available for your account currency to avoid unnecessary costs.
| 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 |
Romania’s Muslim community can access swap-free Islamic accounts at both brokers. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts with no swaps on overnight positions, and applies a small administrative fee after a holding period. IC Markets also provides swap-free accounts upon request, but these may exclude certain instruments like cryptocurrencies and some commodities. Both require clients to declare their faith or provide a reason for the request. For Romania traders adhering to Sharia law, IC Markets’ Islamic account is more flexible for forex and indices, while EasyMarkets is simpler for long-term positions. Always confirm the current terms with each broker, 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 quality matters for Romania traders. IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual live chat and email support, with English as the primary language – some Romanian-speaking agents are available. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, also primarily in English. Neither has dedicated Romanian-language support, but both respond quickly (within 1-2 minutes on chat). IC Markets’ support is generally more knowledgeable for technical and account issues, while EasyMarkets excels in guiding beginners through platform setup. For Romanian traders, using English is straightforward, but the option for local language would be a plus.
| 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 majority of Romania traders, IC Markets (4.8/5) is the superior choice thanks to its lower spreads, faster execution, and broader platform support. It’s well-suited for active traders who want to minimize costs and maximize performance. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) remains a viable option for novices or those who dislike variable spreads. Both accept RON deposits via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill, making local funding easy. While neither is directly regulated by ASF Romania, both have strong oversight from CySEC and ASIC, offering adequate protection. If you plan to grow your trading account in 2025, IC Markets offers the best value and flexibility for Romanian retail traders.