Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italy retail traders choosing between EasyMarkets and IG in 2025, the decision hinges on regulation, cost, and platform needs. Both brokers are fully compliant with CONSOB and ESMA, ensuring retail protections like negative balance protection and leverage limits. IG, founded in 1974, is a global leader with rich market access, while EasyMarkets, established in 2001, focuses on simplicity with fixed spreads and a user-friendly web trader. Italy traders value local payment methods such as SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PostePay, all supported by both brokers. IG excels in advanced tools and low latency execution, but EasyMarkets offers innovative features like deal cancellation that appeal to traders wanting extra protection. Below, we break down their differences specifically for the Italian market.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Italy traders, IG has a clear advantage with spreads starting as low as 0.6 pips on EUR/USD for raw accounts, compared to EasyMarkets’ fixed spread of 1.2 pips. For high-volume traders, IG’s lower spreads lead to significant savings. EasyMarkets charges no commission on standard accounts but incorporates a wider spread. Italy traders should note that IG’s pricing is variable and may widen during news events, while EasyMarkets offers cost predictability. Overall, IG is more cost-effective for frequent trading, while EasyMarkets suits those who prefer stable costs regardless of market volatility.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 provides multiple advanced platforms including its proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, and L2 Dealer, all fully accessible to Italy traders. EasyMarkets offers its own web trader and mobile app, plus MetaTrader 4 and 5. For Italian traders who rely on automated strategies, IG’s integration with ProRealTime and API support offers more flexibility. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler and designed for beginners, with clear risk management tools like free deal cancellation. Both platforms are available in Italian, but IG’s charting and analysis tools are more sophisticated for experienced traders.
| 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 advanced STP/ECN execution with low latency across multiple liquidity providers, offering Italy traders fast order fills and minimal slippage. EasyMarkets uses an NDD model but processes trades through its own liquidity pool, resulting in slightly slower execution during high volatility. IG’s execution quality is particularly beneficial for scalping and day trading. EasyMarkets’ execution is reliable for swing traders and position traders who do not require ultra-fast fills.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and IG are regulated by top-tier authorities. IG is authorized by the FCA in the UK and has an Italian subsidiary registered with CONSOB, offering strong investor protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC and operates in Italy under MiFID, also adhering to CONSOB’s leverage limits and negative balance protection. Italy traders can trust both brokers for safety, but IG’s additional FCA oversight and longer regulatory history provide an extra layer of confidence. EasyMarkets maintains a good compliance record, though its Cypriot regulator is less stringent than the FCA.
| 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 |
Italy traders can fund both EasyMarkets and IG using SEPA bank transfers, major credit/debit cards, and PostePay. SEPA deposits at both brokers are typically free and processed within one business day. IG accepts PostePay as a card-based payment, while EasyMarkets also supports it via Visa/Mastercard. Bank transfers are processed without fees by both, but IG may apply a 0.5% fee on EUR withdrawals over a certain limit. EasyMarkets offers unlimited free withdrawals. For Italy traders, EasyMarkets has a slight edge with no withdrawal fees, while IG’s infrastructure is faster for large deposits.
| 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 |
Both brokers offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Italy Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts automatically upon request with no added spreads or hidden fees, covering all instruments. IG also offers Islamic accounts but only for certain CFD products (forex, indices) and requires a manual application; swap waivers are reviewed periodically. EasyMarkets’ simpler process makes it more accessible for Italy traders seeking hassle-free Islamic accounts, while IG’s offering is reliable but narrower in scope.
| 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 |
IG offers 24/7 customer support in Italian via phone, email, and live chat, with a dedicated Italian desk. EasyMarkets provides support during European market hours (8:00-18:00 CET) in Italian, plus 24/5 English support. For Italy traders needing immediate assistance, IG’s round-the-clock service is superior. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections in Italian, but IG’s response times are faster overall.
| 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 Italy retail traders in 2025, IG is the stronger choice for active, cost-conscious traders due to its lower spreads, robust regulation (including CONSOB), and excellent support in Italian. It also integrates well with local payment methods like SEPA and PostePay. EasyMarkets, however, stands out for beginners or traders who value fixed costs and innovative protections like deal cancellation. Its free withdrawals and easy Islamic account setup are pluses. Ultimately, IG’s overall score of 4.2 vs 3.4 reflects its superior offering, but EasyMarkets remains a viable option for Italy traders seeking a simpler, more protective trading environment.