Which broker is better for Sweden traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Sweden traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and IC Markets, two globally recognized platforms with distinct offerings. EasyMarkets, founded in 2001, focuses on simplicity and risk management tools like negative balance protection and fixed spreads, making it appealing for beginners. IC Markets, established in 2007, is known for its institutional-grade trading conditions: ultra-low spreads, high liquidity, and fast execution. For Swedish retail traders, both brokers operate under CySEC regulation, meaning they adhere to ESMA leverage caps (30:1 for major pairs) enforced by the local financial regulator (Finansinspektionen). When choosing between them, Sweden traders must weigh EasyMarkets’ user-friendly experience against IC Markets’ superior cost efficiency and trading tools. Payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 are available at both, making deposits convenient for local users.
| 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 |
IC Markets dominates in trading costs for Sweden traders. Its Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. EasyMarkets charges higher fixed spreads (e.g., 1.0–1.5 pips on EUR/USD) but no commission. For a Swedish trader executing 10 standard lots per month, IC Markets would cost approximately $35 in commission, whereas EasyMarkets would cost $100–$150 in spread cost. Volume-oriented traders clearly benefit from IC Markets, while EasyMarkets suits those who prefer predictable costs and lower trade frequency.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden (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 provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and WebTrader, offering Sweden traders advanced charting tools, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and algorithmic capabilities. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web platform and mobile app with unique features like deal cancellation and free guaranteed stop-losses but lacks third-party platforms like MT4/MT5. For Swedish retail traders who require custom indicators or EAs, IC Markets is the clear choice. EasyMarkets’ interface is more intuitive for beginners focused on simple execution.
| 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 employs low-latency servers in the Equinix NY4 data center, offering average execution speeds under 40ms with no requotes. EasyMarkets uses market execution with fixed spreads, but its execution is slightly slower due to its dealing desk model and order processing. For Sweden traders using high-frequency strategies or scalping, IC Markets is vastly superior. EasyMarkets is acceptable for casual day traders who prioritize fixed spreads over execution speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), a European authority recognized by the local financial regulator in Sweden. This means Sweden traders are protected under ESMA rules: negative balance protection, leverage limits (30:1 for majors), and client fund segregation. IC Markets also holds an ASIC (Australia) license and a Seychelles offshore entity; the Seychelles entity offers higher leverage up to 500:1, but Sweden traders should be cautious as this entity lacks ESMA protections. EasyMarkets is also regulated by the FSCA (South Africa) but its primary entity for EU clients is CySEC. For Swedish traders wanting full compliance, using the CySEC entity is safest.
| 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 |
Sweden traders have convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. Both accept Bank Transfer (including Swedish banks like Swedbank, SEB, Nordea), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank transfers are free but can take 1–3 business days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and widely used by Swedish traders; withdrawals via these e-wallets are processed within 24 hours. USDT TRC20 supports fast crypto deposits with minimal fees, ideal for traders who prefer digital assets. IC Markets processes withdrawal requests within 1 business day, while EasyMarkets aims for same-day processing. Note that credit/debit cards are also available at both, though not listed as a local payment method here. Always check if your bank imposes any currency conversion fees for USD transactions.
| 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 |
Sweden Muslim traders can open Islamic (swap-free) accounts at both EasyMarkets and IC Markets, ensuring no overnight interest charges in compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets requires manual activation by contacting support; the account remains swap-free for all instruments, but it reserves the right to revert after prolonged trade holding. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts for its Raw Spread and Standard accounts upon request, covering forex, indices, and commodities. Both brokers allow Sweden residents to maintain these accounts indefinitely, though IC Markets applies a small administration fee after a holding period for some instruments.
| 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 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Swedish language support available through the global team. EasyMarkets also offers 24/5 support with live chat and callback service, but phone support hours are limited. For Sweden traders who need quick assistance during European trading hours, both are adequate, but IC Markets’ round-the-clock availability gives it an edge for those trading outside regular hours.
| 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 Sweden traders, IC Markets is the superior choice, earning a 4.8/5 rating against EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. Its ultra-low spreads, robust platform selection, and faster execution cater to both retail and active traders. While EasyMarkets offers a secure, beginner-friendly environment with fixed spreads and unique features, its higher trading costs and limited platform options make it less attractive for most Swedish users. Both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and regulation by CySEC (aligned with the local financial regulator) ensures client protection. We recommend IC Markets for Sweden traders seeking value and performance, unless you specifically prioritize fixed costs and simplicity.