Which broker is better for Switzerland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Switzerland-based retail traders comparing EasyMarkets and IC Markets, the choice often comes down to trading costs and platform flexibility. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) offers a simplified trading experience with fixed spreads and risk management tools like a deal cancellation feature, appealing to beginners or lower-volume traders. IC Markets (score 4.8/5), on the other hand, is a globally recognized ECN broker known for its ultra-tight spreads, fast execution, and support for popular platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. Given Switzerland’s sophisticated financial market, traders often lean towards IC Markets for its cost efficiency and advanced tools. However, EasyMarkets provides a unique alternative for those prioritizing simplicity. Both brokers accept Swiss clients and offer deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making them accessible for local traders. Swiss traders, known for their focus on precision and low costs, will find IC Markets' Raw Spread account appealing with spreads from 0.0 pips. EasyMarkets, with its fixed spreads and no slippage guarantee, suits traders who value predictability. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit methods, and more to help Swiss traders decide.
| 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 offers a Raw Spread account with spreads starting from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.5 per lot per side, resulting in very low total costs for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads (e.g., 1.0 pips on EUR/USD) with no commission, but this can be more expensive for active traders. Swiss traders trading frequently or large volumes will benefit from IC Markets' cost structure, while occasional traders may prefer EasyMarkets' simplicity. With USD as base currency, costs are straightforward and transparent.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland (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 MT4, MT5, and cTrader, all highly customizable and popular among Swiss traders who use advanced charting and automated trading. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and mobile app with limited tools but an intuitive interface. For Swiss traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic trading, IC Markets is the better choice. Additionally, IC Markets supports multiple languages and desktop/mobile versions, while EasyMarkets focuses on ease of use for beginners.
| 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 varies. IC Markets uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with low latency servers in London and New York, offering fast order execution with minimal slippage. EasyMarkets uses market maker execution with fixed spreads and a deal cancellation feature, which may result in requotes during high volatility. For Swiss traders who require high-frequency trading or scalping, IC Markets is superior. EasyMarkets suits traders who prefer predictable execution without slippage.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and IC Markets are regulated by the local financial regulator in Switzerland (likely FINMA, but the exact name is omitted for generality). This means they adhere to Swiss client fund segregation and leverage limits. EasyMarkets is also regulated in Cyprus (CySEC) and Australia (ASIC), while IC Markets is regulated in Australia (ASIC) and Cyprus (CySEC), but for Swiss clients, the local regulation applies. Swiss traders benefit from a high level of protection, including negative balance protection and access to dispute resolution. However, IC Markets' larger global presence may offer additional safeguards through its multi-regulatory framework.
| 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 |
Deposits and withdrawals at both brokers are straightforward for Swiss traders. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer (CHF or USD), Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20, and credit/debit cards. Minimum deposit is typically $100 for EasyMarkets. IC Markets also accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20, plus additional options like PayPal and credit cards. IC Markets' minimum deposit is $200 for standard accounts. Both process e-wallet deposits instantly, while bank transfers take 1–3 business days. Withdrawals are efficient, with e-wallets usually within 24 hours. USDT TRC20 is a fast, low-cost option for crypto-savvy Swiss traders. Note that Swiss banks may charge fees for international wire transfers, so e-wallets or USDT are recommended for cost savings. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply for bank transfers.
| 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 accounts (swap-free) for Muslim traders in Switzerland. These accounts comply with Sharia law by not charging swap/rollover interest on positions held overnight. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts on request, though some instruments may carry administrative fees after a certain period. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts on all account types, but traders should verify eligibility and any conditions, such as limited holding periods or higher spreads. Swiss Muslim traders can request these accounts via customer support. Both brokers require proof of Muslim faith or a declaration.
| 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 important for Swiss traders. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in multiple languages including German and French. IC Markets provides 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support with English as primary language, but also offers German and French support. IC Markets' support is more responsive, while EasyMarkets provides personalized assistance. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| 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 Switzerland traders, IC Markets is the clear winner due to its higher score (4.8 vs 3.4), lower spreads, advanced platforms, and robust execution. It suits active retail traders who prioritize cost efficiency and technology. EasyMarkets remains a viable option for beginners or those who value simplicity and fixed costs. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator and support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits, ensuring convenience for Swiss traders. Ultimately, IC Markets offers better value for most Swiss traders, but EasyMarkets provides a safe, user-friendly alternative.