Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For United Kingdom traders comparing EasyMarkets and RoboForex, the decision hinges on regulation, local payment convenience, and trading costs. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), giving UK traders access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and FSCS compensation up to £85,000. RoboForex, scoring 3.2/5, operates under an international license (FSC Belize) and is not FCA-regulated, meaning UK clients miss out on these protections. Both brokers accept GBP accounts and support popular UK payment methods like Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, but EasyMarkets offers a more streamlined local experience. Spreads vary: RoboForex provides tighter raw spreads on ECN accounts, while EasyMarkets focuses on fixed spreads with guaranteed stop-loss. This comparison covers everything UK traders need to decide based on regulatory safety, deposit speed, and cost efficiency.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | RoboForex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | RoboForex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | RoboForex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | RoboForex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 | RoboForex |
When comparing trading costs for UK traders, RoboForex typically offers lower spreads on its ECN Pro account, starting from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot. EasyMarkets has slightly higher spreads, from 0.8 pips on its VIP account but with no commission and guaranteed stop-loss protection. For UK traders executing high volumes, RoboForex can reduce overall costs, especially on major pairs like GBP/USD. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads and no requotes appeal to those prioritizing predictable costs. Swap rates also differ: EasyMarkets charges competitive overnight fees, while RoboForex’s rates vary by instrument. UK scalpers may prefer RoboForex’s tighter spreads, while swing traders might favour EasyMarkets’ stability.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | RoboForex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | RoboForex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among UK traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. EasyMarkets additionally provides its proprietary web-based platform, which features a simple interface, guaranteed stop-loss, and deal cancellation options—ideal for UK beginners. RoboForex supports cTrader alongside MT4/5, giving UK traders more choice for ECN trading. RoboForex also offers a wider range of copy trading platforms, including its own CopyFX system. For UK traders who value simplicity and built-in risk management, EasyMarkets’ proprietary platform is a plus; for those seeking advanced tools and multi-platform access, RoboForex is stronger.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | RoboForex |
| 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 offers fixed spreads with guaranteed stop-loss and no requotes, providing reliable execution for UK traders, though order fills can be slower during volatile markets. RoboForex uses ECN/STP execution with variable spreads, offering faster fills and lower latency, especially on its Pro accounts. For UK scalpers and day traders, RoboForex’s execution is superior; for those prioritizing order certainty and risk management, EasyMarkets is preferable.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for UK traders. EasyMarkets is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under registration number 246566, providing direct oversight, negative balance protection, and access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. RoboForex is not FCA-regulated; it holds a license from the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Belize, which offers no UK-specific protections. This means UK clients of RoboForex cannot complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service or claim FSCS compensation if the broker fails. For UK traders prioritizing regulatory safety and local recourse, EasyMarkets is the clearly superior option.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 5 business days |
UK traders can deposit and withdraw in GBP at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, with no deposit fees and instant processing for e-wallets and Faster Payments. Withdrawals are free via the same methods, typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets. RoboForex also accepts Bank Transfer, PayPal, and Skrill, but does not offer Faster Payments and may charge withdrawal fees on certain methods (e.g., $3 for Skrill). Bank transfers at RoboForex can take 1-5 business days. For UK traders who want the fastest local deposits, EasyMarkets’ integration with Faster Payments is a key advantage, while RoboForex’s options are more limited and slower.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 RoboForex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for UK Muslim traders. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts directly during registration, with no swap fees on overnight positions across all instruments, fully compliant with Sharia principles. RoboForex also offers Islamic accounts, but traders must request activation by contacting customer support after account opening. RoboForex’s swap-free accounts may have conditions, such as a limited period or additional spreads on certain instruments. For UK Muslim traders seeking a straightforward, no-questions-asked Islamic account, EasyMarkets is more convenient, while RoboForex requires an extra step.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | RoboForex | 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with UK-based English-speaking agents. Response times are fast, and the support team is knowledgeable about UK-specific issues like FCA compliance and Faster Payments. RoboForex provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, but phone support is limited. While RoboForex’s support is responsive, UK traders may find EasyMarkets more accessible for local queries, especially regarding regulatory matters or payment issues.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | RoboForex | 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 | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose RoboForex if you...
For United Kingdom traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and RoboForex ultimately comes down to regulation and payment convenience. EasyMarkets is the safer option due to its FCA authorization, offering UK traders access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and FSCS compensation. It also supports Faster Payments and PayPal, making deposits and withdrawals quick and local. RoboForex offers tighter spreads and more platform choices but lacks FCA oversight, which is a significant risk for UK clients. If regulatory peace of mind and local payment methods like Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments matter most, EasyMarkets is the recommended broker for UK traders in 2025.