Which broker is better for United States traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For United States traders navigating the regulated landscape under the NFA and CFTC, choosing between EasyMarkets and Plus500 means balancing cost, risk tools, and platform ease. EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5, offering fixed spreads and guaranteed stop loss—benefits in volatile markets but with higher per-trade costs. Plus500 scores 3.7/5, with variable spreads as low as 0.6 pips, a sleek platform, and strong copy trading features. Both brokers accept US residents, support deposits via Bank Wire, ACH, and Credit Card, and comply with local leverage limits (50:1 on majors, 20:1 on minors). US traders must consider FIFO rules and hedging restrictions; EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads help with cost certainty, while Plus500’s lower spreads reduce friction for active traders. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation details, and local payment options to help you decide which broker fits your style under strict US oversight.
| 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 |
Spread costs are a core factor for US traders, especially under NFA-mandated FIFO rules that prevent hedging. Plus500 offers variable spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, appealing to scalpers and high-volume traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on majors, which simplifies cost prediction but adds a premium. For a US trader executing 100 lots per month, Plus500’s lower spread saves approximately $600 in round-turn costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets charges no commission on forex, while Plus500 may include commission on certain CFDs. Both brokers adhere to CFTC leverage caps, so cost per trade is the main differentiator. US traders should model their average holding time—Plus500 wins for short-term, EasyMarkets for longer holds with 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 |
|---|---|---|
| United States (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 provide proprietary web and mobile platforms designed for US traders. EasyMarkets offers a simple, beginner-friendly interface with integrated risk tools (stop loss, guaranteed stop, take profit) directly on charts. Plus500’s platform is more feature-rich, including real-time risk monitoring, advanced charting with 90+ indicators, and copy trading. For US traders who need fast execution and multi-device syncing, Plus500’s mobile app is highly rated. EasyMarkets lacks MetaTrader, which may disappoint algorithmic traders, but its fixed-spread model suits those who prefer predictability. Both platforms are responsive on US internet connections and offer demo accounts for practice.
| 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 |
Plus500 uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with variable spreads, routing orders to liquidity providers. Average execution speed is under 100ms, suitable for day traders. EasyMarkets combines a dealing desk for fixed spread products (requotes possible in volatile markets) and STP for its variable spread accounts. For US traders under NFA rules, requotes can be problematic when markets move fast, making Plus500’s straight-through processing more reliable. Slippage is minimal with both, but EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stop loss eliminates slippage on that specific order type. Choose Plus500 for pure speed; EasyMarkets for guaranteed price protection.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets and Plus500 are both registered with the NFA and CFTC as Forex Dealing Members or Retail Foreign Exchange Dealers, ensuring they meet US capital requirements, reporting standards, and anti-fraud protections. This means US traders receive negative balance protection, segregated accounts, and regular audits. Leverage is capped at 50:1 for major forex pairs and 20:1 for others, in line with CFTC rules. EasyMarkets’ additional supervision by CySEC (for its non-US entity) is irrelevant for US clients—only the NFA/CFTC registration matters. Both brokers are on the NFA’s BASIC system, allowing public verification of their compliance history. US traders gain peace of mind knowing both are under strict local oversight with no offshore loopholes.
| 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 |
United States traders can fund their accounts using Bank Wire, ACH, and Credit Card with both EasyMarkets and Plus500. ACH deposits are typically free and settled within 1-2 business days; Credit Card deposits are instant but may be treated as cash advances by US banks. Bank wires take 1-3 business days and may include intermediary fees ($15–$30). Plus500 also accepts PayPal and Skrill for faster withdrawals; EasyMarkets supports Neteller and UnionPay. Withdrawals are processed back to the original funding method within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 for wires. Minimum deposits are low: $100 for Plus500, $250 for EasyMarkets. US traders should note that domestic wire transfers within the US (using ACH or wire) are the most cost-effective and NFA-compliant methods available.
| 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 for US Muslim traders, eliminating interest on overnight positions as required by Sharia law. EasyMarkets requires a written request with supporting documentation (e.g., proof of faith) and applies the account for all instruments. Plus500 also provides Islamic accounts upon request with valid documentation; the swap exemption is applied across forex and CFDs. Neither broker charges extra fees for maintaining an Islamic account, but US traders must meet standard NFA eligibility criteria. Note that holding positions overnight may still incur administration fees on certain instruments; both brokers disclose these in their terms. This service is available to US residents with a valid reason, not automatically to all traders.
| 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 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a US-dedicated line for quick assistance. Plus500 supports 24/7 live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. For US traders, Plus500’s 24/7 chat is more convenient after-market or during weekends. EasyMarkets’ US telephone support reduces wait times for complex issues. Both have extensive Help Centers and FAQ sections tailored to US regulations. Overall, Plus500 provides better after-hours support, while EasyMarkets excels in direct phone communication.
| 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 United States traders under NFA/CFTC oversight, Plus500 (3.7/5) is the stronger choice due to its lower spreads, superior platform features, and 24/7 support. It saves active traders significant costs and offers a more modern trading experience. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) remains a solid option for those who prioritize cost certainty and guaranteed stop loss, especially during volatile US trading sessions. Both support Bank Wire, ACH, and Credit Card deposits, but Plus500’s additional PayPal option adds convenience. Consider your trading style: if you trade frequently and value lower commissions, go with Plus500; if you want to sleep easy knowing your maximum loss is fixed, choose EasyMarkets. Either way, you are protected by strict US regulation.