Which broker is better for United States traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
EasyMarkets and IC Markets are two well-known forex brokers, but for United States traders, the regulatory landscape is critical. Neither broker holds NFA/CFTC registration, meaning US residents cannot legally trade with them under current laws. However, this comparison examines their offerings in a hypothetical scenario for informational purposes, focusing on features like spreads, platforms, and payment methods that US traders care about—Bank Wire, ACH, and Credit Card. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) appeals to beginners with fixed spreads, guaranteed stop loss, and a simple all-in-one platform. IC Markets (score 4.8/5) is a power broker known for raw spreads, ECN execution, and professional-grade tools like cTrader. For US traders, cost, speed, and regulatory compliance are top priorities. While IC Markets leads on price and execution, both brokers lack the necessary NFA/CFTC oversight required for US traders to operate legally. Always prioritize brokers registered with the NFA/CFTC for safety and compliance.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for United States traders, IC Markets clearly beats EasyMarkets on spreads. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips and a $7 commission per round lot. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads around 1.0–1.5 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. For US traders executing high volumes, IC Markets' lower per-trade cost can save hundreds of dollars annually. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads provide predictability but come at a premium. Total cost depends on trading frequency and size—active scalpers will favor IC Markets, while occasional traders may appreciate EasyMarkets' simplicity. Note that Islamic accounts are available at both brokers and do not affect spread costs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| United States (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 and MetaTrader 5, which are the industry standard for United States traders. IC Markets additionally offers cTrader, a powerful platform with advanced charting, depth of market, and faster order execution—ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform alongside MT4/MT5, featuring unique tools like DealCancellation and free guaranteed stop loss. For US traders, platform stability and local time zone support are important; IC Markets' 24/7 server access and cTrader's low latency give it an edge. EasyMarkets' platforms are user-friendly but less sophisticated for high-frequency strategies.
| 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 differs significantly between the two brokers. IC Markets uses ECN (Electronic Communication Network) execution with low latency and no requotes, ideal for scalpers and automated traders. Average execution speed is under 30 milliseconds. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with fixed spreads, which can lead to occasional requotes during volatile markets. For United States traders seeking high-frequency trading or news trading, IC Markets provides superior execution. EasyMarkets may suit traders who prefer fixed spreads and guaranteed stop loss protection despite slightly slower execution.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is the most important factor for United States traders. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia); IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and FSA (Seychelles). Neither broker is registered with the NFA/CFTC, which is required by law for any broker accepting US clients. The NFA/CFTC oversees strict rules on leverage, capital requirements, and client fund segregation. Trading with an unregulated offshore broker exposes US traders to legal risks and lacks consumer protection. This comparison is provided for educational purposes only. US traders should only use brokers like OANDA, Forex.com, or TD Ameritrade that are fully NFA/CFTC-regulated.
| 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 |
United States traders can fund accounts at both EasyMarkets and IC Markets using Bank Wire, ACH, and Credit Card, all processed in USD. EasyMarkets offers ACH deposits with instant processing and no fees, while credit cards are also fee-free. Withdrawals via bank wire take 1–3 business days; credit card withdrawals take 3–5 days. IC Markets accepts ACH deposits with a $100 minimum (free); credit card deposits have a $200 minimum with possible small fees; bank wire deposits start at $500 and may incur intermediary charges. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 1–2 business days for bank wires and up to 5 days for credit cards. For US traders, ACH is the most convenient and cost-effective method at both brokers. Always verify current fee schedules directly with the broker, as policies may change.
| 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 swap-free Islamic accounts for United States Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request with no swap charges on overnight positions. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts across all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) after a request to support. For US traders, it's important to note that Islamic accounts may have specific conditions, such as a limited holding period or a one-time administration fee. Neither broker alters spreads or commissions for Islamic accounts. US Muslim traders should confirm with each broker that their Islamic account complies with both their religious requirements and US regulations.
| 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 for United States traders is available 24/5 from both brokers, but IC Markets also offers limited 24/7 coverage for key market hours. EasyMarkets provides live chat, email, and phone support in English with fast response times. IC Markets supports multiple languages and has a dedicated support team for technical platform issues. For US traders in different time zones, IC Markets' extended hours can be an advantage. Both brokers offer comprehensive FAQ sections and knowledge bases.
| 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 United States traders, the most important factor is regulation—neither EasyMarkets nor IC Markets holds NFA/CFTC licenses, making them illegal for US residents. This comparison is academic. However, hypothetically, IC Markets dominates on cost, execution, and platform choice, earning its higher score. EasyMarkets offers unique features for risk-averse traders. US traders requiring Bank Wire, ACH, and Credit Card deposits will find both brokers accommodating, but only NFA/CFTC-regulated brokers like OANDA or Forex.com provide a safe and legal trading environment. Always prioritize compliance over features when trading from the United States.