EasyMarkets vs Plus500 for Russia Traders (2026)

Costs matter immensely for Russia traders given the volatile ruble and international sanctions impacting deposit sizes. Plus500 typically offers tighter variable spreads – on EUR/USD about 0.6 pips compared to EasyMarkets' fixed 1.2 pips. For high-volume traders, Plus500's lower spreads can save thousands of rubles annually. However, EasyMarkets charges no commission on most instruments and hides no spreads in swap fees, while Plus500 applies overnight funding costs that can add up for long-term positions. Russia traders who hold positions overnight should compare swap rates carefully. Both brokers charge inactivity fees, but EasyMarkets waives them after 12 months of no trades.

Plus500's proprietary web and mobile platform is known for speed, intuitive design, and advanced charting tools – ideal for experienced Russian traders who need quick execution and real-time data. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform plus MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which many Russian traders already know from local brokers. MT4 allows custom indicators and automated trading via Expert Advisors – a key advantage for algorithmic traders. Both platforms are available in Russian language. However, Plus500 does not support MT4, limiting flexibility for traders reliant on custom scripts.

Plus500 uses a market-making model with instant execution and no requotes – ideal for scalping Russians. Average execution is under 0.1 seconds. EasyMarkets offers both instant and market execution with the option to freeze rates for 2 seconds – a unique feature to avoid slippage during volatile news events. However, EasyMarkets may have more requotes on illiquid pairs. For fast execution on major pairs, Plus500 wins.

Neither EasyMarkets nor Plus500 is licensed by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). Both operate under offshore regulators: EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while Plus500 is regulated by FCA (UK), CySEC, and ASIC. For Russia traders, this means no deposit insurance from CBR, but both brokers have a long track record and comply with EU client money rules. Plus500's FCA regulation offers slightly stronger investor protection, while EasyMarkets provides negative balance protection. Russian traders should consider using USDT or Qiwi deposits to mitigate currency control risks.

Depositing and withdrawing funds is a critical factor for Russia traders facing international banking restrictions. EasyMarkets stands out by accepting Qiwi, USDT (Tether), and Bank Transfer (including RUB via local partner banks). Minimum deposit via Qiwi is just 1,000 RUB, and USDT deposits can be under $25. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 days for Qiwi and USDT. Plus500 supports Bank Transfer and credit/debit cards but does not directly offer Qiwi or USDT. Bank transfers from Russia to Plus500's EU bank accounts may be delayed or blocked due to sanctions. For seamless deposits, EasyMarkets is the preferred broker for Russia traders.

Russia has a significant Muslim population, and both brokers cater to this with Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets offers swap-free accounts on request for clients from Muslim-majority regions, applicable to all instruments without extra costs. Plus500 automatically applies Islamic account status based on registration country or religion indicated. No interest is charged on overnight positions, which is Sharia-compliant. Russia traders should note that EasyMarkets applies a small admin fee after holding positions for several days, while Plus500 does not. Both brokers allow switching back to standard accounts anytime.

EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in Russian, with response times under 2 minutes. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email, but phone support is limited to certain regions. The Russian language support team at Plus500 is responsive but may be less familiar with local payment issues. For Russia traders facing Qiwi or bank transfer queries, EasyMarkets' support is more helpful.