Which broker is better for Thailand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Thailand, choosing the right forex broker is critical to managing costs and execution quality. EasyMarkets and IC Markets are two well-known international brokers serving Thai clients, but they cater to different needs. EasyMarkets (rated 3.4/5) focuses on simplicity with fixed spreads and a user-friendly platform, making it a reasonable option for beginners or those preferring predictable costs. In contrast, IC Markets (rated 4.8/5) is built for high-volume, active traders who demand ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips, lightning-fast execution, and advanced platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. Both brokers support local Thai payments such as PromptPay and Bank Transfer, and are available in Thai language. However, neither is regulated by the SEC Thailand; instead, they operate under licenses from CySEC, ASIC, or FSA, which is typical for offshore brokers popular among Thai traders. The choice between them depends on your trading style, volume, and need for trading tools.
| 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 Thailand traders, trading costs are a major factor, especially for those trading high volumes. IC Markets offers a significant advantage with its Raw Spread account: spreads start from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side (round turn $7). This structure rewards active traders. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, uses fixed spreads averaging 1.0–1.5 pips on majors with no commission. For a Thai trader executing 10 lots per week, IC Markets could save hundreds of dollars monthly in spread costs. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect against widening during news events, which may appeal to some. Overall, IC Markets is more cost-efficient for experienced Thai traders who trade frequently.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice is crucial for Thailand’s experienced retail traders. IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader – all industry standards offering advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and custom indicators. These platforms are widely used by Thai traders and available in Thai language. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and MetaTrader 4, but lacks cTrader and advanced order types. For Thai traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or scalping, IC Markets’ platforms are superior due to lower latency and better backtesting capabilities. Moreover, IC Markets offers a dedicated VPS for algorithmic traders, which is particularly beneficial for those in Thailand needing consistent connectivity.
| 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 key differentiator for experienced Thailand traders. IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-low latency execution, with average speeds under 40 milliseconds, and offers true ECN/STP trading with direct market access. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with dealing desk execution, which can result in requotes or slippage during volatile markets. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Thailand, IC Markets’ execution is vastly superior. EasyMarkets may cause delays that impact profitability. IC Markets also offers a VPS service for automated strategies, further enhancing execution reliability.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
While neither EasyMarkets nor IC Markets is regulated by the SEC Thailand, they hold licenses from reputable jurisdictions. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSA (Seychelles), offering client fund segregation and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC, the FSCA (South Africa), and the FSA (Seychelles). For Thailand traders, this means deposits are not protected by local investor compensation schemes, but both brokers adhere to international standards. It’s essential for Thai traders to verify the broker’s license and consider using segregated accounts. Given IC Markets’ stronger regulatory oversight and history, it offers a higher level of trust for experienced Thai 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 |
Both brokers offer convenient local payment options for Thailand traders: PromptPay, Bank Transfer, and Skrill. EasyMarkets allows deposits in THB via bank transfer and PromptPay, typically processed same-day with no fee. Withdrawals are also free and processed within 1-2 business days to Thai bank accounts. IC Markets supports THB deposits through local bank transfers and PromptPay (via third-party processors) with zero deposit fees; withdrawals via bank transfer may incur a small fee (around $10–20) but are fast. Both brokers accept Skrill as an e-wallet option, which is popular among Thai traders for its speed. For high-volume traders, IC Markets’ deposit options are slightly more flexible, but EasyMarkets has simpler withdrawal policies. Make sure to check any minimum deposit requirements: EasyMarkets requires $250, IC Markets requires $200.
| 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 Thailand who require compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts upon request without additional fees, applicable to all account types. IC Markets also offers Islamic accounts, but traders must request them and may need to meet certain criteria (e.g., no excessive hedging). For Thai Muslim traders, both brokers ensure no interest is charged or paid on overnight positions. However, IC Markets may restrict the use of Islamic accounts on certain instruments or during volatile market conditions. It’s advisable to confirm terms directly with the broker before opening an account.
| 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 Thai traders, especially when dealing with time-sensitive issues. IC Markets offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, with Thai language assistance available during local business hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support (closed weekends) with live chat and email, also in Thai. IC Markets’ round-the-clock coverage is beneficial for traders monitoring Asian, London, and New York sessions. Response times for both brokers are generally fast, but EasyMarkets may have longer hold times during peak hours. Overall, IC Markets has an edge in support availability for Thailand’s active traders.
| 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 experienced retail traders in Thailand, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8 rating versus EasyMarkets’ 3.4. IC Markets offers superior trading costs, faster execution, and a broader range of platforms – all essential for active trading. It also supports local payment methods like PromptPay, Bank Transfer, and Skrill, making it convenient for Thai traders. While EasyMarkets may appeal to novices due to its simplicity and fixed spreads, experienced traders will benefit more from IC Markets’ ECN conditions. Always check the latest terms with each broker, as offers change. Given that neither broker is regulated by SEC Thailand, traders should perform due diligence and consider risk management carefully.