EasyMarkets vs IG: Which Broker Wins for Sri Lanka Traders in 2026?
Which broker is better for Sri Lanka traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Sri Lanka Traders
For Sri Lanka retail traders exploring online forex and CFD trading, choosing between EasyMarkets and IG is an important decision in 2025. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and user-friendly platform, while IG, rated 4.2/5, offers lower costs and a vast range of markets. Both accept Sri Lanka residents and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, FriMi, and USDT. However, with a higher overall score, IG typically provides better value for active traders. This comparison covers trading costs, platforms, regulation (including relevance to SEC Sri Lanka), deposit options, and Islamic account availability to help you pick the right broker for your needs.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| 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 Sri Lanka traders, IG offers lower spreads than EasyMarkets on major forex pairs like EUR/USD (0.6 pips vs 1.2 pips average). EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, which are simple but wider, while IG’s variable spreads can narrow during peak liquidity. For a Sri Lanka trader executing 10 standard lots per month, the difference could save over USD 500 annually with IG. EasyMarkets also charges an inactivity fee after 6 months, whereas IG does not. Overall, IG is more cost-efficient for frequent traders.
Account Types Comparison
| 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 |
Leverage Comparison - Sri Lanka Traders
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka (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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| 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 |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web platform and mobile app, designed for simplicity with built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation and free guaranteed stop loss. IG offers a more advanced suite: its award-winning web platform, mobile app, plus MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime for experienced traders. Sri Lanka traders who prefer ease-of-use may like EasyMarkets, but those needing charting tools, automated trading, or a wider asset selection will find IG more suitable. Both platforms are available in English.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| 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 offers faster execution speeds with no requotes, using Straight Through Processing (STP) and direct market access. EasyMarkets also provides reliable execution but may have occasional slippage during volatile markets due to its market maker model. For Sri Lanka traders trading during news events, IG’s execution is more consistent and transparent.
Regulation & Safety for Sri Lanka Traders
| 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 the SEC Sri Lanka, which oversees local brokerages. However, both hold reputable licenses from top-tier regulators: EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while IG is regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC, and the CFTC (US). For Sri Lanka traders, this means client funds are protected by strict international standards (segregated accounts, negative balance protection), but local investor compensation schemes do not apply. IG’s FCA regulation provides additional confidence due to the UK's robust financial oversight.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Sri Lanka
| 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 |
Both brokers support multiple deposit and withdrawal methods tailored for Sri Lanka traders. Bank Transfer is available for LKR and USD transactions, typically taking 1-3 business days. FriMi is supported by both brokers, enabling instant deposits in Sri Lankan Rupees from local bank accounts—ideal for small deposits. USDT (Tether) is also accepted, allowing crypto-based deposits with no currency conversion fees. EasyMarkets charges no deposit fees, but bank withdrawal fees may apply. IG offers free withdrawals via bank transfer (minimum USD 50). For fastest access to funds, use FriMi for deposits and USDT for withdrawals.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Sri Lanka Muslims
| 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 EasyMarkets and IG offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Sri Lanka Muslim traders who cannot earn or pay interest (riba). EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts on request with no additional swap charges on overnight positions across all instruments. IG also offers swap-free accounts, but only for forex and indices—commodities and shares are excluded. EasyMarkets does not charge an administration fee for Islamic accounts, while IG may apply a small fee after a certain number of days. For Sri Lanka traders seeking full Sharia compliance, EasyMarkets is the more accommodating option.
Customer Support Comparison
| 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 via live chat, phone, and email in English, with a dedicated team trained to handle queries from Asia-Pacific clients, including Sri Lanka. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support (Monday to Friday) via live chat and email, with no 24/7 option. IG also maintains a comprehensive help centre with localised FAQs. For Sri Lanka traders who trade outside standard hours, IG’s round-the-clock support is a clear advantage.
Mobile App Comparison
| 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
EasyMarkets
IG
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Sri Lanka Guide
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
- Are a beginner trader looking for a simple platform with fixed spreads
- Want built-in risk tools like dealCancellation and guaranteed stop loss
- Prefer an Islamic account without restrictions on instruments
- Trade low volumes and prioritise predictable costs
Choose IG if you...
- Are an active trader wanting lower spreads and lower overall costs
- Need advanced charting, MetaTrader, or algorithmic trading
- Want to trade a wider range of markets (stocks, indices, commodities, crypto)
- Require 24/7 customer support and faster execution
FAQ - EasyMarkets vs IG in Sri Lanka
Final Verdict - Sri Lanka 2026
For most Sri Lanka retail traders, IG is the stronger choice in 2025 due to its higher rating (4.2 vs 3.4), lower trading costs, superior platform options, and 24/7 support. While both brokers support local payments like Bank Transfer, FriMi, and USDT, IG’s additional features such as MetaTrader and a wider market range make it more versatile. EasyMarkets remains a solid option for beginners and Muslim traders seeking full Islamic account coverage. However, with IG’s better overall value and strong regulation (FCA, ASIC), plus acceptance by SEC Sri Lanka as a foreign broker, it wins this comparison for Sri Lanka traders.