Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing EasyMarkets vs Libertex for Iceland traders, the choice ultimately depends on your trading preferences, experience level, and the importance of fixed versus variable costs. EasyMarkets, with a rating of 3.4/5, is a well-established broker known for its straightforward fixed spreads and user-friendly platform, making it a solid option for beginners and those who value cost predictability. Libertex, scoring 3.7/5, offers a wider selection of over 200 instruments, including cryptocurrencies, and more flexible trading conditions with variable spreads. Both brokers accept Icelandic clients and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals in USD. While neither broker is regulated by the Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority, they operate under reputable licenses (CySEC, FSA Seychelles for EasyMarkets; CySEC, FSCA for Libertex), which provides a degree of oversight. For Icelandic retail traders, key considerations include trading costs, platform features, and the ability to deposit and withdraw funds efficiently. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading goals in the Icelandic market context.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 | Libertex |
For Iceland traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability, especially when trading in USD. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads starting at 1.0 pips on EUR/USD with no commission on standard accounts, making costs easy to predict. Libertex, on the other hand, provides variable spreads as low as 0.3 pips on major pairs but charges a small commission on certain account types. For moderate volumes (e.g., 1-5 lots per month), Libertex may be cheaper during calm market conditions, but spreads can widen during Iceland's overlapping news events. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads are beneficial for those who trade around economic releases or prefer to avoid spiking costs. Swap rates also play a role: EasyMarkets offers competitive overnight fees, while Libertex has slightly higher rollover charges. Overall, if you trade lower volumes and want consistency, EasyMarkets is preferable; for higher volumes and flexibility, Libertex may reduce your costs.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide web, mobile, and desktop trading platforms, but they differ in focus. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which are intuitive and include built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation and negative balance protection. It also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for experienced traders. Libertex provides its own advanced trading platform with social trading features, as well as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. For Iceland traders, MT4 is particularly popular for its custom indicators and automated trading. Libertex's platform is better suited for those who want to copy top traders or access additional instruments like cryptocurrencies. While both platforms are available in English, EasyMarkets has a slightly simpler interface, which may be preferred by beginners. No Icelandic language support is offered, but both brokers have responsive customer service in English.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 a key factor for day traders. EasyMarkets uses an STP (Straight Through Processing) model with no dealing desk, providing fast order execution at the quoted price. It reports average execution speeds under 0.3 seconds. Libertex operates as a market maker, meaning it takes the opposite side of your trade, which can lead to potential requotes during high volatility. However, Libertex's execution is generally reliable for retail traders. For Iceland traders, the STP model of EasyMarkets may offer more transparent execution, while Libertex's model might be acceptable for those trading larger volumes. Slippage is minimal with both in normal conditions, but EasyMarkets has a slight edge in speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for Iceland traders. Neither EasyMarkets nor Libertex is regulated by the Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA). EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. Libertex is also CySEC-regulated and under the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa. While these licenses provide a level of oversight and investor protection (e.g., negative balance protection, compensation schemes), they are not equivalent to local regulation. For Icelandic traders, this means that legal recourse may be more complex in case of disputes. However, both brokers comply with EU standards (via CySEC) and have a solid track record. It's advisable to review the broker's terms and ensure you are comfortable trading under a foreign regulator. Tier-1 regulation would be preferable, but for those willing to accept this setup, both brokers offer reliable services.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 5 business days |
Iceland traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with both brokers, all in USD. EasyMarkets requires a minimum deposit of $100 and does not charge deposit fees for any of these methods. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers may take 3-5 days. Libertex has a lower minimum deposit of $50 (or equivalent) and also offers free deposits via Skrill and Neteller. USDT TRC20 deposits are credited instantly with no additional fee. For withdrawals, Libertex charges a small fee on bank transfers (around $10) but does not charge for e-wallet withdrawals. Both brokers allow you to withdraw to the same method used for deposit, which simplifies the process. The availability of USDT TRC20 is especially convenient for tech-savvy Icelandic traders who prefer crypto-based transactions. Overall, both brokers provide flexible and cost-effective deposit and withdrawal options tailored to Iceland.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Iceland, both EasyMarkets and Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating interest charges on overnight positions. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request, with no extra spread markup, but the account type must be activated before trading. Libertex also offers swap-free accounts, but they require a simple application and may impose restrictions on certain instruments like indices or commodities. Both brokers allow Muslim traders to hold positions indefinitely without accruing interest, which is essential for long-term trading strategies. However, it's important to note that Islamic accounts are typically not available for all account types or through all payment methods. Iceland traders should contact customer support to confirm eligibility and any specific conditions. Neither broker charges a fee for converting to an Islamic account, making both suitable for Sharia-compliant trading.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex | 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 Iceland traders is available in English from both brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support, with a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. Libertex provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. While neither has Icelandic-speaking staff, response times are generally fast (under 5 minutes for live chat). EasyMarkets is known for its proactive assistance, whereas Libertex's support can be slower during peak hours. For Icelandic traders who prefer quick resolutions, EasyMarkets may be slightly better, but both are reliable.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | 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 Libertex if you...
For Iceland traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Libertex comes down to your trading style and priorities. Libertex holds a higher overall rating (3.7 vs 3.4) and offers more instruments and lower variable spreads, making it a strong contender for active traders. However, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads and straightforward platform are better suited for beginners or those who dislike surprises. Both brokers support essential local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and neither is regulated by the Icelandic FSA – a factor to consider. If you value cost certainty and simplicity, choose EasyMarkets; if you want flexibility and a broader product range, Libertex is the better fit. Ultimately, test both with a demo account to see which aligns with your trading needs in the Icelandic market.