Which broker is better for Switzerland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Switzerland is home to some of the most sophisticated retail traders in Europe, and choosing the right forex broker is critical for success. EasyMarkets and IG are two globally recognised platforms, but they cater to different needs for Swiss traders. IG, with a strong score of 4.2/5, is an industry giant regulated locally by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and offers a vast range of markets, low spreads, and institutional-grade tools. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is a smaller but innovative broker known for its fixed spreads, user-friendly platform, and risk management features like deal cancellation. For Swiss traders, factors such as local regulation, deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and trading costs in USD terms are paramount. This comparison dives deep into how each broker serves the Swiss retail community in 2025, helping you decide which aligns with your trading style and local requirements.
| 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 Switzerland traders, trading costs are often measured in pips and commission structures, especially on the USD/CHF pair. IG offers variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD and 0.8 pips on USD/CHF, with no additional commission on standard accounts. In contrast, EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD and 1.5 pips on USD/CHF. While fixed spreads offer predictability, they are typically wider than IG's variable rates. For Swiss traders executing high-frequency or large-volume strategies, IG's lower spreads can lead to significant savings. Additionally, IG charges no inactivity fee, whereas EasyMarkets applies a fee after 90 days of no trading, which may affect occasional traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Swiss traders value reliable and fast trading platforms. IG provides its proprietary web and mobile platforms, which are highly customisable and include advanced charting, plus access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets offers its own intuitive web trader and a dedicated mobile app, but does not support MT4 or MT5. For Swiss traders who rely on Expert Advisors or custom indicators, IG's MT4 availability is a clear advantage. EasyMarkets, however, has a simpler interface that suits beginners. Both platforms are available in German and French, meeting the needs of Switzerland's multilingual population.
| 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 |
Execution quality is crucial for Swiss traders, especially those trading the fast-moving USD/CHF pair. IG uses a straight-through-processing (STP) model with no requotes, offering execution speeds under 30 milliseconds on major servers located in London. EasyMarkets also provides market execution but routes orders through its own dealing desk, which may result in occasional requotes during volatile conditions. No slippage protection is offered by EasyMarkets, while IG allows traders to set slippage tolerance. For scalpers and price-sensitive strategies, IG's faster, more transparent execution is preferable.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top concern for Swiss traders given the country's strict financial environment. IG is authorised and regulated by FINMA, the Swiss financial regulator, ensuring clients benefit from Swiss deposit protection (up to CHF 100,000) and independent dispute resolution through the Swiss Banking Ombudsman. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and holds licenses from other global bodies, but it is not directly supervised by FINMA. This means Swiss traders using EasyMarkets may not have the same level of local recourse or protection. For clients prioritising regulatory safety and compliance with Swiss law, IG offers a clear edge.
| 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 |
Switzerland traders have several convenient deposit methods at both brokers. IG supports Bank Transfer (including SEPA and SWIFT), Skrill, and Neteller, with most deposits reflecting instantly except bank transfers which may take 1-2 business days. EasyMarkets also accepts these three methods and additionally supports USDT TRC20 (Tether), a cryptocurrency option that allows for near-instant deposits without bank intermediary fees. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for both brokers. IG does not charge fees for standard withdrawals, while EasyMarkets charges a small fee for certain e-wallet withdrawals. Swiss traders should note that bank transfers may incur intermediary bank charges, making e-wallets or USDT more cost-efficient for smaller 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 |
Muslim traders in Switzerland seeking swap-free (Islamic) accounts can find options at both EasyMarkets and IG. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts across all account types with no swap charges on overnight positions, subject to a holding period (usually 10 days). IG provides swap-free accounts upon request, primarily for clients who confirm their religious beliefs and do not engage in hedging strategies. Both brokers apply no additional fees for Islamic accounts, but IG's eligibility criteria may be stricter. Swiss Muslim traders should contact support to confirm the specific terms, such as allowable leverage and instruments, before opening an account.
| 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 |
Customer support in Switzerland is available in English, German, and French for both brokers. IG offers 24/5 phone support, live chat, and a comprehensive FAQ, with a dedicated Swiss hotline. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited to business hours. For Swiss traders who prefer assistance in their national languages and require quick responses, IG's multilingual phone support gives it an advantage. Both brokers have responsive online chat, but IG's local presence ensures faster resolution for Swiss-specific queries.
| 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 retail traders in Switzerland, IG emerges as the more comprehensive choice in 2025. Its FINMA regulation provides a level of local trust and protection that EasyMarkets cannot match, and its lower spreads on major pairs reduce costs for active traders. However, EasyMarkets is a strong alternative for beginners or those who value simplicity, fixed costs, and alternative deposit methods like USDT TRC20. If you prioritise regulatory safety, advanced platforms, and a wide range of markets, IG is the clear winner. For Swiss traders who use Skrill, Neteller, or Bank Transfer, both brokers accommodate these well, but IG's overall offering aligns better with the needs of the Swiss retail trading community.