Which broker is better for Austria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Austria, choosing between EasyMarkets and Plus500 requires careful consideration of local trading conditions. Both brokers are well-established in the EU and accept Austrian clients, offering euro-denominated accounts and access to the FMA-regulated environment. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, while Plus500 (3.7/5) excels with tighter variable spreads and a broader range of CFDs on stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Austrian traders benefit from local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits convenient. Additionally, both brokers adhere to MiFID II client protection rules, including negative balance protection and investor compensation schemes. This comparison will help Austrian traders decide which broker aligns with their trading style, risk tolerance, and need for local support.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | Plus500 |
For Austria traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. Plus500 typically offers spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, while EasyMarkets maintains fixed spreads around 1.2 pips. Over 100 trades per month, Plus500’s variable spreads can save active Austrian traders €20-50 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets charges no commission on most instruments, and its fixed spreads protect against volatility during news events. Plus500 has an inactivity fee (€10/month after three months) which Austrian traders should monitor. Both brokers offer competitive overnight financing rates, but EasyMarkets’ swap rates are slightly higher. Overall, cost-conscious traders in Austria may prefer Plus500 for its lower variable spreads, especially for larger trade volumes.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Both brokers provide proprietary web-based platforms and mobile apps optimized for Austrian traders. EasyMarkets’ platform is simple and intuitive, with built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation and guaranteed stops – ideal for beginners. Plus500’s platform offers advanced charting, copy trading via its ‘CopyTrader’ feature, and a comprehensive economic calendar. For Austrian users who value mobile trading, both apps are well-rated, but Plus500’s app includes more order types and a demo account. Neither broker offers MetaTrader 4 or 5, which may disappoint experienced traders. However, the ease of use and no-download access make both suitable for retail traders in Austria who prefer a streamlined experience.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 vital for Austrian traders, especially during volatile market sessions. Plus500 uses an STP model with variable spreads, offering average execution speeds under 50ms. EasyMarkets also offers fast execution with fixed spreads that don’t widen during news events, providing predictability. Both brokers avoid requotes with instant order execution. For high-frequency traders in Austria, Plus500’s faster execution and tighter spreads may be preferable, while EasyMarkets suits traders who value reliability over raw speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Austrian traders. Plus500 is regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) through its subsidiary Plus500UK Ltd, which is authorized and supervised by the FCA and FMA under MiFID II. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and also adheres to MiFID II, allowing it to offer services across the EU, including Austria. Both brokers provide client money segregation and negative balance protection. Austrian traders are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000) for CySEC-regulated entities and the UK FSCS for Plus500 (up to £85,000) for UK clients. However, since Plus500 has an FMA license, Austrian clients have direct local regulatory oversight, which adds an extra layer of trust. EasyMarkets’ regulatory framework is still robust, but the FMA license gives Plus500 a slight edge for Austrian traders.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3 business day |
Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 offer multiple deposit and withdrawal options tailored to Austrian traders. Accepted methods include Bank Transfer (SEPA), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank transfers are free but may take 1-3 business days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant with zero fees for deposits, but withdrawals may incur a small fee (€1-10 depending on broker). USDT TRC20 deposits are processed instantly and are ideal for traders using cryptocurrency – both brokers accept it for wallet funding. Withdrawals at Plus500 are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while EasyMarkets may take up to 2 days. EasyMarkets does not charge withdrawal fees, whereas Plus500 charges a small fee for frequent withdrawals. For Austrian traders using local bank transfers, both brokers support SEPA with no currency conversion fees for EUR accounts.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Austria seeking Sharia-compliant accounts, both EasyMarkets and Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) options. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts automatically upon request with no additional fees, and they include all account features. Plus500 also offers Islamic accounts but requires a manual application via customer support, and they may apply an administration fee to cover overnight positions. Austrian Muslim traders should note that while both brokers comply with Islamic finance principles (no interest), Plus500’s fee structure might be less favorable. EasyMarkets’ transparent swap-free policy makes it a more attractive choice for Austrian Muslim traders who require a straightforward Islamic account.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | 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 Austrian traders is available 24/5 for both brokers. EasyMarkets offers support via live chat, email, and phone with German-language agents – a key advantage for local traders. Plus500 provides 24/7 chat and email support but German-language support is only available during European business hours. EasyMarkets also has a Vienna-based office for direct contact, while Plus500’s main support is from London. For Austrian traders who prefer phone support in German, EasyMarkets is the stronger option.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For Austria traders, Plus500 edges ahead with a higher overall rating (3.7 vs 3.4) thanks to tighter spreads, a feature-rich platform, and direct FMA regulation. However, EasyMarkets remains a solid choice for those who value fixed costs, simple tools, and local German-language support. Both brokers support Austrian-friendly deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making funding easy. If you are a retail trader in Austria who prioritizes low-cost trading and copy trading, Plus500 is the better pick. If you prefer predictability and a more guided trading experience, EasyMarkets is a worthy alternative.