Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Filipino traders seeking forex and CFD brokers have two popular choices: EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) and Plus500 (score 3.7/5). Both brokers accept clients from the Philippines and support local payment methods like GCash, PayMaya, bank transfers, and USDT. For OFWs remitting money or mobile-first investors looking for fast execution, each broker has distinct advantages. EasyMarkets is known for its fixed spreads and risk management tools, while Plus500 offers a powerful web platform and zero commissions on most trades. The SEC Philippines allows foreign brokers to operate as long as they are regulated by top-tier authorities. This comparison will help you decide which broker fits your Filipino trading style, from costs to customer 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 Philippines traders, trading costs are crucial, especially when converting pesos to dollars. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads starting from 1.1 pips on EUR/USD and no commission on forex trades. Plus500 uses variable spreads that can be as low as 0.6 pips but may widen to 1.2 pips during news events. When trading in volume, Plus500's lower average spreads can save costs for high-frequency traders. However, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads provide certainty, which is valuable for OFWs executing smaller but frequent remittance conversions. Both brokers charge swap fees on overnight positions, but Islamic accounts are available (see below).
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (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 excel on mobile. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary platform available on iOS and Android with an intuitive interface and one-click trading. Plus500's platform is web-based and also has mobile apps, widely praised for its simplicity and fast loading on 4G/5G networks common in Philippines. Plus500's platform includes advanced charting with 90+ indicators, while EasyMarkets provides more risk management features like deal cancellation and pending orders for beginners. For Filipino traders on the go, both are excellent, but Plus500's app is slightly faster and supports more instruments.
| 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: EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads and instant execution with no requotes, ideal for Filipino traders who need price certainty. Plus500 offers variable spreads and market execution, often with faster order fills during volatile sessions. Plus500's execution is generally faster due to its centralized liquidity, while EasyMarkets may have slight delays during major news events. For scalpers or day traders in the Philippines trading during overlap of Asian and US sessions, Plus500's speed is beneficial. Both brokers guarantee execution of market orders at the next available price.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia). Plus500 is regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC, CySEC, and others. Neither broker has a license from the SEC Philippines, but they are allowed to accept Filipino clients as they are regulated by top-tier authorities. The SEC Philippines advises traders to only use brokers that are registered with them or regulated by recognized foreign regulators. Both brokers meet that requirement. For added safety, check that EasyMarkets and Plus500 are listed on the SEC Philippines' list of foreign brokers allowed to solicit clients locally.
| 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 |
Filipino traders have several convenient options. Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 support GCash, PayMaya, local bank transfers (via BPI, BDO, Metrobank), and USDT (crypto). EasyMarkets has a lower minimum deposit of $25 (about ₱1,400) compared to Plus500's $100 (about ₱5,600). Deposits via USDT are instant on both. Withdrawals: EasyMarkets processes in 1-2 business days to bank accounts or GCash, with no fees. Plus500 takes 2-5 days and may charge a small fee for bank wire withdrawals. For OFWs who need fast access to funds, EasyMarkets is faster. Both require KYC verification with valid Philippine ID (passport, driver's license, or UMID).
| 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 brokers offer swap-free Islamic accounts compliant with Sharia law. EasyMarkets allows you to open an Islamic account directly during registration – simply select the swap-free option. Plus500 offers Islamic accounts but requires you to contact customer support after opening a standard account. The swap fees are waived for all overnight positions. Filipino Muslim traders from Mindanao areas like Cotabato or Marawi can use either broker, but EasyMarkets provides a smoother onboarding process. Note that some trading restrictions may apply on long-term positions, so confirm with the broker before trading.
| 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 |
Support for Filipino traders: EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English. Plus500 also has 24/7 live chat and email support, plus a comprehensive FAQ page. Neither broker has a Philippines-specific hotline or Tagalog support. EasyMarkets is known for faster response times (under 2 minutes), while Plus500 uses an AI chatbot first and then connects to human agents. For urgent issues like deposit problems with GCash, EasyMarkets' chat is more responsive.
| 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...
Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 are solid choices for Philippines traders. Our verdict: Plus500 earns a higher overall score (3.7 vs 3.4) thanks to its superior mobile platform, wider asset selection, and low variable spreads. For Filipino traders who trade actively or access global markets, Plus500 is the winner. However, EasyMarkets is better for beginners and OFWs: lower deposit, fixed spreads, faster withdrawals via GCash, and easier Islamic account setup. The SEC Philippines does not favor one over the other – both are legally accessible. Ultimately, consider your trading style. If you value cost certainty and local payment speed, go with EasyMarkets. If you want more instruments and a top-tier mobile experience, Plus500 is your pick.