Which broker is better for Spain traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Spain traders choosing between EasyMarkets and Pepperstone face a classic trade-off: beginner-friendly simplicity versus professional-grade performance. EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5 and is known for fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and support for local payment methods like Bizum and SEPA. Pepperstone ranks much higher at 4.9/5, offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips, ultra-fast execution, and a wider choice of platforms including cTrader. Both brokers accept Spanish retail traders under EU regulation, with the CNMV monitoring their activity. This comparison examines trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit options specifically for Spain, helping you decide which broker aligns with your goals.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Pepperstone |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Pepperstone |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Pepperstone |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Pepperstone |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | Pepperstone |
For Spain traders, trading costs differ significantly. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads – typically 1.0 pips on EUR/USD – making costs predictable regardless of market volatility. Pepperstone’s Standard account has spreads around 0.8 pips, while its Raw Spread account drops to 0.0 pips with a $7 round-turn commission. For a Spanish trader executing 10 lots per month, Pepperstone’s raw model saves €50-100 compared to EasyMarkets. Volume traders clearly benefit from Pepperstone’s lower variable costs, while casual traders may prefer EasyMarkets’ fixed spread simplicity.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Spain (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Pepperstone | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Pepperstone |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Pepperstone provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader – all popular among Spanish traders for advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and copy trading. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and mobile apps, which are intuitive but lack the depth of MT4/5. For Spain traders who use Expert Advisors or custom indicators, Pepperstone is the clear choice. EasyMarkets’ platform, however, includes built-in risk management tools like dealCancel and free guaranteed stop-loss, which appeal to less experienced traders.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Pepperstone |
| 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 |
Pepperstone is renowned for ultra-fast execution, averaging under 30ms on Raw Spread accounts using Equinix NY4 servers. This suits scalpers and algorithmic traders in Spain. EasyMarkets uses market execution with fixed spreads, but its guaranteed stop-loss feature prevents slippage – a trade-off for slightly slower fills. For high-frequency trading, Pepperstone wins; for risk-averse strategies, EasyMarkets’ execution model provides certainty.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated in the EU, enabling them to serve Spain traders legally. EasyMarkets is authorized by CySEC (Cyprus), which provides ESMA passporting to Spain. Pepperstone operates through its German entity, Pepperstone GmbH (BaFin regulated) with a Cyprus office for EU clients. The Spanish CNMV does not directly license these brokers but can issue warnings. Client funds are held in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection applies under ESMA rules. Pepperstone’s additional FCA and ASIC licenses add confidence, though both meet EU standards.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 24 hours to 5 business days if submitted before 07:00 AEST |
EasyMarkets excels in local payment options for Spain. It supports SEPA (free, 1-2 days), bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and notably Bizum – the instant Spanish mobile payment app widely used by retail traders. Pepperstone offers SEPA and bank transfers (no Bizum) plus cards and online wallets like Skrill. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets €25, Pepperstone €50. Withdrawals are processed via SEPA or bank wire; EasyMarkets typically completes withdrawals within 24 hours, while Pepperstone may take 1-2 business days. For Bizum users, EasyMarkets is the only choice.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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 provide swap-free Islamic accounts for Spain’s Muslim traders. EasyMarkets offers them on request with a minimum deposit of $500, and no swap charges on overnight positions. Pepperstone also grants Islamic accounts upon request, available on both Standard and Raw Spread account types without minimum deposit requirements. Neither broker charges extra for the account, but Pepperstone may apply a small administration fee after a holding period (e.g., 10 days). Spanish traders should check current terms directly.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Pepperstone offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Spanish-speaking agents available during European hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support in English and Spanish, plus a callback service. Both respond within minutes on chat. For Spain traders who prefer local language assistance, both brokers are well-equipped, though Pepperstone’s support is generally faster and more comprehensive for technical issues.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Pepperstone |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Pepperstone | 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 Pepperstone if you...
For Spain traders, Pepperstone is the stronger overall choice, earning a 4.9/5 rating versus EasyMarkets’ 3.4/5. Its lower spreads, superior platforms, and excellent execution outweigh EasyMarkets’ local payment advantages. However, EasyMarkets remains a solid option for beginners or those who need Bizum deposits and fixed-cost trading. Both comply with CNMV oversight and offer SEPA transfers. Ultimately, if you prioritize cost savings and advanced tools, choose Pepperstone. If you value simplicity and local payment convenience like Bizum, EasyMarkets still serves a useful role.