Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Romania's retail trading community continues to grow, with more local traders exploring forex, CFDs, and commodities online. Two popular brokers among Romanian traders are EasyMarkets and Plus500, both offering access to global markets in RON and supporting local payment options like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and beginner-friendly web platform, while Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, attracts active traders with tight variable spreads and a robust proprietary platform. Both brokers are regulated under European directives, and their services are accessible to Romanian residents. This comparison examines their trading costs, platforms, regulation by ASF Romania, and deposit/withdrawal processes to help you choose the best fit for 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Romanian traders, EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads that remain constant regardless of market volatility. For example, EUR/USD spreads start at around 1.0 pips, which is higher than Plus500's variable spreads that can dip below 0.6 pips during major trading sessions. Volume traders in Romania will find Plus500 cheaper overall because lower spreads reduce per-trade costs, especially when trading frequently. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads are beneficial for traders who dislike surprise cost increases during news events. Additionally, Plus500 does not charge commission on most instruments, while EasyMarkets includes all costs in the spread. Romanian traders should consider their trading frequency and desired predictability when choosing between these fee structures.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (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 | ✓ | ✗ |
EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web-based platform that is simple and intuitive, ideal for Romanian beginners. It includes features like Deal Cancellation (a unique tool to reverse losing trades within 60 minutes) and free guaranteed stop-loss orders. Plus500 offers a more advanced proprietary platform with real-time charts, technical indicators, and a mobile app that is highly rated. For Romanian traders, both platforms are available in English and support multiple devices. Plus500's platform is better suited for experienced traders needing extensive analysis tools, while EasyMarkets' platform focuses on ease of use and risk management. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 4 or 5, which may be a drawback for traders accustomed to third-party platforms.
| 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 market execution with no requotes, but order fulfillment can be slower during volatile periods. Plus500 employs a straight-through processing model with fast execution speeds and low latency, which benefits active Romanian traders. Plus500's execution quality is generally superior, with slippage rarely negative. For day traders prioritizing speed, Plus500 is the better choice; EasyMarkets' execution is adequate for casual traders.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 are regulated by top-tier European authorities, including CySEC and the FCA, which means they comply with MiFID II rules. Although the Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară (ASF) in Romania does not directly license these brokers, ASF recognizes EFSA-regulated entities, so Romanian traders can legally use them. This regulatory framework ensures client fund segregation (for EasyMarkets) and negative balance protection (for both). Plus500 additionally offers investor compensation coverage up to €20,000 via the ICF in Cyprus. For Romanian traders, this regulatory oversight provides safety but note that EasyMarkets is not as prominently regulated as Plus500's FCA license, which is seen as more stringent.
| 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 |
Romanian traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), and Skrill at both EasyMarkets and Plus500. EasyMarkets supports deposits in RON via Bank Transfer without conversion fees, while Plus500 requires direct RON deposits but may charge a small currency conversion fee for non-RON accounts. Credit Card deposits are instant at both brokers, and Skrill offers near-instant processing. Withdrawals are processed efficiently: EasyMarkets typically within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 days for bank transfers; Plus500 often completes withdrawals within 1-3 days. No deposit fees are charged by either broker, but Romanian banks may apply their own fees for international transfers. Skrill is the fastest and cheapest option for local traders who prefer e-wallets.
| 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 Romania seeking swap-free accounts, both EasyMarkets and Plus500 offer Islamic accounts. EasyMarkets provides a pure swap-free account with no hidden fees and no time limit on holding positions, making it suitable for long-term traders. Plus500's Islamic account also eliminates overnight interest but applies a fixed administrative fee that varies by instrument. Romanian traders should request these accounts through customer support before trading. EasyMarkets' policy is simpler, while Plus500's fee structure may reduce cost savings for longer holds. Both brokers require adherence to Islamic principles, such as no speculative trades, but individual eligibility must be confirmed.
| 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 offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English and several other languages, though Romanian is not directly supported. Plus500 also provides 24/7 live chat and email support with faster response times, but again no Romanian-speaking agents. Romanian traders may need to communicate in English. Plus500's knowledge base is more extensive, including video tutorials. Overall, Plus500 edges ahead with round-the-clock availability and better self-help resources.
| 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 Romanian traders in 2025, Plus500's higher score (3.7 vs 3.4) reflects its superior low spreads, fast execution, and robust platform, making it the better choice for active traders. EasyMarkets remains a strong candidate for beginners or those who value fixed spreads and unique features like Deal Cancellation. Both brokers accept local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill, and are compliant with ASF Romania's cross-border regulations. Consider your trading frequency and risk tolerance: if you trade often, Plus500 offers lower costs; if you are new to trading and want simplicity, EasyMarkets is a solid start. Ultimately, both brokers are reliable, but Plus500 edges forward for the average Romanian trader.