Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italian traders seeking a reliable forex broker, EasyMarkets and Plus500 are two well-known options, both regulated by the local authority CONSOB and compliant with ESMA standards. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is recognized for its fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss orders, and a simple web-based platform that appeals to beginners. Plus500, scoring higher at 3.7/5, offers a wide range of CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, along with competitive variable spreads and a modern trading interface. Both brokers support popular Italian payment methods such as SEPA bank transfers, PostePay, and credit cards, making deposits and withdrawals convenient for local users. However, differences in trading costs, platform features, and regulatory protections mean that Italian traders must evaluate their individual preferences before choosing. This comparison delves into crucial aspects like spreads, regulation, deposit processes, and customer support to help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading goals in Italy.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Italian traders, Plus500 generally offers lower variable spreads on major forex pairs, starting from 0.6 pips for EUR/USD, which can benefit high-volume traders. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, provides fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on the same pair, ensuring cost stability regardless of market volatility. For Italian traders executing frequent trades, Plus500’s tighter spreads can lead to significant savings, but EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect against unexpected widening during news events. Additionally, both brokers charge no commissions on forex trades, but EasyMarkets may include a small markup on currency conversions for deposits not in EUR. Overall, the choice depends on your trading volume and risk tolerance.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 | ✓ | ✗ |
For Italian traders, platform ease of use and language support are key. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform, which is intuitive and requires no download, along with a mobile app available in Italian. Plus500 provides a more advanced web platform and mobile app with multilingual support including Italian, plus additional tools like a sentiment indicator and price alerts. Both platforms support one-click trading and are optimized for fast execution. However, Plus500 offers more charting tools and a broader range of technical indicators, which may appeal to experienced Italian traders seeking deeper analysis. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler, ideal for beginners who prioritize ease of navigation.
| 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 critical for Italian traders, especially during volatile sessions. EasyMarkets guarantees stop-loss orders and offers fixed spreads, which can lead to predictable execution but may result in requotes in fast-moving markets. Plus500 uses an STP model with variable spreads and generally reports faster execution speeds, with minimal slippage. For day traders and scalpers in Italy, Plus500’s execution may be more reliable, while EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stops provide added security for longer-term positions.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 are authorized by CONSOB, Italy’s financial regulator, ensuring they adhere to strict rules on leverage, client fund segregation, and negative balance protection. For Italian traders, this means deposits are held in segregated accounts, and maximum leverage is capped at 1:30 for major forex pairs under ESMA guidelines. While both brokers offer similar regulatory safeguards, Plus500 is also regulated by the FCA and CySEC, providing an additional layer of oversight. EasyMarkets’ regulation by CONSOB and other bodies like CySEC ensures compliance with local laws, giving Italian traders confidence in broker reliability and dispute resolution.
| 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 |
Italian traders have multiple convenient options to fund their accounts with both brokers. EasyMarkets accepts SEPA bank transfers, credit/debit cards, PostePay, and PayPal, with a minimum deposit of €25. Withdrawals can be processed via the same methods, typically completed within 1-3 business days, and are free of fees. Plus500 also supports SEPA transfers, card payments, and PostePay, along with Skrill and Neteller, but requires a minimum deposit of €100. Withdrawals at Plus500 are also free and processed within 3-5 business days. For Italian traders who prefer using PostePay, both brokers accept it, but EasyMarkets offers a lower entry barrier and faster withdrawal times, making it more accessible for smaller retail 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 |
Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 accommodate Muslim Italian traders with swap-free Islamic accounts that comply with Sharia law, eliminating interest on overnight positions. At EasyMarkets, you can request an Islamic account during registration, and it is available for all account types. Plus500 automatically converts standard accounts to Islamic status after verification, provided you confirm your Muslim faith. Both brokers apply the same trading conditions without charging extra fees for swap-free accounts, though certain instruments may have limited availability. Italian traders should note that Islamic accounts are exempt from overnight swap charges but still incur any applicable administrative fees.
| 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 |
Italian traders can access customer support from both brokers via email and live chat. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support in Italian, with a helpful FAQ section covering common queries. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support in multiple languages, including Italian, and has a more extensive help center. While both are responsive, Plus500’s round-the-clock availability is an advantage for traders who operate outside standard market hours. EasyMarkets also offers phone support during business hours, which some Italian traders may prefer for direct assistance.
| 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 Italian traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Plus500 hinges on your trading style and priorities. Plus500 earns a higher overall score (3.7/5) and offers lower variable spreads, a broader instrument selection, and round-the-clock support—making it ideal for active traders who monitor markets closely. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) stands out with fixed spreads, guaranteed stops, and a lower barrier to entry via PostePay and SEPA transfers, perfect for risk-averse or beginner traders. Both are CONSOB-regulated, ensuring safety and compliance with Italian laws. If cost predictability and simplicity matter most, go with EasyMarkets; for better overall execution and range, Plus500 is the stronger pick.