Which broker is better for Canada traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing EasyMarkets vs Plus500 for Canada traders in 2025, the choice hinges on cost structure, platform experience, and regulatory confidence. Both brokers are regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), ensuring high standards of investor protection for Canadian clients. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is known for its fixed spreads, no slippage, and user-friendly web platform, making it a solid pick for traders who value predictability. Plus500 (score 3.7/5) offers tighter variable spreads, a powerful proprietary platform with advanced charting, and a larger selection of instruments. For Canada traders using local payment methods like Interac, Bank Transfer, or Credit Card, both brokers provide seamless deposits and withdrawals in CAD. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Canadian retail traders: regulation, trading costs, platform features, and local support. Whether you are a beginner or an active trader, understanding these differences will help you choose the broker that best fits your trading style.
| 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 Canada traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads, which average 1.2 pips on EUR/USD, and no commissions. This is ideal if you want to know your exact cost per trade, regardless of market volatility. Plus500 uses variable spreads that start from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, making it cheaper for high-volume scalpers during liquid hours. However, Plus500 quotes prices in the underlying market’s currency, so CAD-based traders should account for conversion fees on non-CAD instruments. EasyMarkets also offers a unique ‘Freeze Rate’ feature that lets you lock in a rate for a few seconds, which can reduce slippage costs. Overall, Plus500 tends to be more cost-effective for frequent traders, while EasyMarkets suits those who prefer fixed costs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (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 offer proprietary platforms tailored to Canada traders. EasyMarkets’ web-based platform is beginner-friendly, with built-in risk management tools like DealCancellation and FreezeRate. It lacks a native mobile app for advanced charting but works well for quick trades. Plus500’s platform is more sophisticated, available on desktop, web, and mobile, with 50+ technical indicators, real-time charts, and one-click trading. For Canada traders who need fast execution and detailed analysis, Plus500’s platform is superior. However, EasyMarkets’ simplicity may appeal to those new to forex trading. Both platforms support CAD display, but Plus500 offers more customization.
| 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 |
EasyMarkets uses fixed spread pricing with no slippage, meaning your order is always filled at the quoted price or better. This is beneficial for Canada traders during news events when slippage is common. Plus500 uses variable spreads and a market execution model, which can result in slippage during volatile markets. However, Plus500’s execution speed is generally faster for market orders. For traders who prioritize price certainty, EasyMarkets is superior; for those who need speed, Plus500 edges ahead.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by IIROC, the Canadian regulator for investment dealers. For Canada traders, this means both brokers must maintain minimum capital, segregate client funds, and provide dispute resolution through the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). EasyMarkets is also regulated by CySEC and ASIC, while Plus500 is regulated by the FCA and ASIC in addition to IIROC. The IIROC oversight ensures that Canadian clients have access to local investor compensation (up to $1 million in coverage per account). Both brokers comply with Canada’s anti-money laundering rules and client reporting requirements. This level of regulation makes either broker a safe choice for Canadian retail 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 |
Canada traders can deposit and withdraw in CAD using Bank Transfer, Interac, or Credit Card at both EasyMarkets and Plus500. Interac e-Transfer is the most popular method for its speed (instant deposits, same-day withdrawals) and no fees from the broker. Bank transfers are also free but may take 1-3 business days. Credit card deposits (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted, though some cards may treat them as cash advances. Withdrawal times: Plus500 typically processes withdrawals within 1 day and funds arrive via Interac within a few hours; EasyMarkets takes 1-2 days. Neither broker charges deposit fees, but EasyMarkets covers one withdrawal fee per month for Canadian clients. Overall, both offer convenient local payment options suitable for Canada traders.
| 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 Canada traders requiring Sharia-compliant accounts, both EasyMarkets and Plus500 offer swap-free (Islamic) accounts. EasyMarkets provides a dedicated Islamic account with no overnight interest or hidden fees, available upon request for eligible clients. Plus500 also offers a swap-free option after verification, allowing Muslim traders to hold positions overnight without incurring or earning swap points. Both brokers ensure that these accounts comply with Islamic finance principles. Canada traders should note that swap-free accounts may have reduced leverage or restricted instruments, so it’s best to confirm availability with support before opening.
| 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 |
EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with a Canadian phone line for local queries. Plus500 offers 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections. For Canada traders, EasyMarkets’ dedicated Canadian phone support may be a slight advantage, especially for account-specific issues. Plus500’s 24/7 chat is faster for general questions.
| 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 Canada traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Plus500 comes down to trading style. Plus500 earns a higher overall score (3.7 vs 3.4) due to its lower spreads, superior platform, and broader instrument selection. It is ideal for active traders who can manage variable costs. EasyMarkets is a strong alternative for beginners and those who prioritize fixed costs and no slippage, especially when trading commodity pairs like USD/CAD. Both brokers are IIROC-regulated, accept Interac, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card in CAD, and offer swap-free accounts. If you value predictability and risk control, go with EasyMarkets. If you want lower costs and advanced features, Plus500 is the better fit for 2025.