Which broker is better for India traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
India's retail trading community is rapidly expanding, with tech-savvy investors seeking reliable forex and CFD brokers that accept INR and local payment methods. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) and IG (score 4.2/5) are two international brokers popular among Indian traders, but they differ significantly in trust, costs, and features. EasyMarkets appeals to beginners with fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and a simple web platform. IG, a London-listed giant, offers variable spreads, high liquidity, and advanced tools like MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime. Both brokers support UPI, IMPS, NEFT, Skrill, and USDT for INR transactions, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. However, IG is SEBI-unregulated (as are many offshore brokers), while EasyMarkets operates under CySEC and ASIC. This comparison helps Indian traders decide based on trading style, budget, and risk tolerance. For active trend traders, IG's speed and low costs are hard to beat. For those just starting or wanting predictable costs, EasyMarkets provides a safer, fixed-cost environment.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | IG |
For India traders, cost comparison hinges on spreads and overnight swap fees. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads – for example, EUR/USD at 1.2 pips, USD/INR at 0.3 pips (approx. 3 points). IG uses variable spreads; EUR/USD can be as low as 0.6 pips in peak hours. On a standard lot (100,000 units), a 0.6 pip difference translates to $6 per trade – significant for high-frequency traders. IG also charges no commission on forex, but EasyMarkets adds a small fixed mark-up. For INR pairs, IG's spreads are competitive but not always quoted in INR. Additionally, IG's swap rates are market-based, while EasyMarkets has higher overnight fees. Overall, IG is cheaper for active intraday traders; EasyMarkets suits those who hold positions overnight or prefer cost certainty.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| India (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| 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 | IG | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IG offers a suite of platforms: its proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, and even a L2 Dealer for professionals – ideal for tech-savvy India traders who want charting, automated trading, and API access. EasyMarkets provides a simple, user-friendly web platform and mobile app, with unique tools like Deal Cancellation and Free VPS for high-volume users. Neither broker offers cTrader or NinjaTrader. IG's platforms are more advanced and customizable, while EasyMarkets focuses on simplicity and risk management. For Indian traders using multiple screens or algorithmic trading, IG's MT4 is a clear advantage. Beginners will appreciate EasyMarkets' clean interface and education center.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| 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 |
IG uses straight-through processing (STP) and offers direct market access (DMA) for forex, resulting in ultra-fast execution with minimal slippage – ideal for scalping and news trading. EasyMarkets is a market maker, using its own liquidity, which can cause slight delays and requotes during volatile periods. IG's execution is superior for India traders who trade high-volume or use automated strategies. EasyMarkets' guaranteed stop-loss and Deal Cancellation feature compensate by reducing risk.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor IG is regulated by SEBI. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), offering client funds segregation and negative balance protection. IG is regulated by FCA (UK), ASIC, and other top-tier authorities, providing up to £85,000 FSCS compensation for UK clients. For India traders, this means no direct SEBI oversight, but both brokers adhere to strict international standards – especially IG, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. IG's higher regulation tier and greater financial transparency make it the safer choice. India traders should understand that SEBI does not protect offshore forex trading, so due diligence is critical.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 1 to 5 business days |
India traders can fund accounts using UPI, IMPS, and NEFT – all instant and free for INR transfers. EasyMarkets supports Skrill and USDT (cryptocurrency) as well, with no deposit fees. IG also accepts Skrill, USDT, and bank wire transfers, but NEFT/IMPS may be processed via third-party partner. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets requires $100 equivalent (approx. ₹8,000), IG around $250 (approx. ₹20,000). Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for both, to the same source. UPI/IMPS withdrawals are typically faster (same day) for EasyMarkets, while IG may take 1-3 business days for bank transfers. Skrill and USDT withdrawals are near-instant. Note that some Indian banks restrict inbound forex; using Skrill or USDT can bypass such limits.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
EasyMarkets provides Islamic (swap-free) accounts to all clients, including those in India, with no questions asked – simply request after opening a live account. IG offers Islamic accounts under certain entities (e.g., IG UAE) but not globally; Indian residents may need to contact support and provide documentation. EasyMarkets is more accommodating for Muslim traders in India who want to avoid riba (interest). IG's policy is less predictable. Both brokers retain the right to convert to standard accounts if the account is used for dealing rather than genuine investing.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support, with Hindi-speaking agents available on request. IG provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email, plus a comprehensive help centre. IG's support is generally faster and more professional, especially for technical issues. For India traders, IG's local office in Mumbai (IG Markets India) provides dedicated support during Indian business hours – a clear advantage for quick resolution.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | IG | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose IG if you...
For India traders in 2025, IG is the overall stronger choice thanks to its higher trust rating, tighter spreads, superior execution, and advanced platforms. IG also offers UPI, IMPS, NEFT, Skrill, and USDT deposits, plus a Mumbai support team. However, EasyMarkets holds its own for beginners and those valuing fixed costs, Islamic accounts, and risk tools like Deal Cancellation. If you trade large volumes or require SEBI-regulated brokers, neither fits – but IG's FCA regulation adds more safety. For most Indian retail traders, IG's 4.2/5 rating and comprehensive offering makes it the recommended broker.