Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Norway, choosing a reliable forex broker is crucial given the country’s stable financial environment and the local regulator Finanstilsynet’s oversight of investment services. EasyMarkets and Trade Nation are two popular brokers that cater to Norwegian clients, but they differ in key areas. EasyMarkets holds a score of 3.4/5 and is known for its fixed spreads, simple platform, and strong risk management tools. Trade Nation, with a higher score of 3.9/5, offers tighter variable spreads, access to MetaTrader 4 and TradingView, and is regulated by top-tier authorities like the FCA. Both brokers support important local payment methods including Bank Transfer (SEPA), Skrill, Neteller, and even USDT TRC20 for crypto deposits. This comparison will help Norwegian traders decide which broker aligns better with their trading style, whether they prioritize cost efficiency, platform flexibility, or regulatory protection.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Trade Nation |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Trade Nation |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Trade Nation |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Trade Nation |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | Trade Nation |
When comparing trading costs for Norway traders, Trade Nation generally offers lower spreads. For example, EUR/USD spreads start from 0.5 pips on Trade Nation, while EasyMarkets charges a fixed spread of around 1.5 pips. This difference can significantly impact frequent traders or those dealing with larger volumes. EasyMarkets, however, provides fixed spreads – useful during volatile markets when variable spreads may widen. Norwegian traders who trade multiple lots per day will benefit more from Trade Nation’s competitive pricing. Additionally, Trade Nation does not charge commission on standard accounts, whereas EasyMarkets includes its costs within the spread.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| 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 | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Trade Nation |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform, which is intuitive and includes features like deal cancellation and guaranteed stop loss. Trade Nation provides both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView, catering to traders who want advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. For Norwegian traders, Trade Nation’s platforms are more versatile, especially for those who prefer third-party tools. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler and good for beginners, but lacks the depth that experienced traders might need. Both are available on desktop and mobile.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Trade Nation |
| 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 operates as a market maker with fixed spreads, providing reliable execution with no requotes during normal market conditions. Trade Nation uses an STP/ECN model, which routes orders to liquidity providers, offering variable spreads and faster execution. For Norwegian traders, Trade Nation’s execution is generally superior for scalping and high-frequency strategies, while EasyMarkets’ market maker model may suit those who prefer predictable execution and guaranteed stop losses.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FSA (Seychelles), while Trade Nation is regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and the FSA. For Norwegian traders, regulatory protection is a key concern. Trade Nation’s FCA regulation offers strong investor protection, including negative balance protection and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. EasyMarkets, while still regulated, operates under a lower-tier authority. Both brokers must comply with ESMA rules, but Trade Nation’s supervision is generally viewed as stricter. Norwegian traders should consider the level of protection they require.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 2 working days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Norway traders at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer (SEPA), Skrill, Neteller, credit/debit cards, and USDT TRC20. Minimum deposit is $100. Trade Nation also accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with a lower minimum of $20. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for bank transfers, while Skrill/Neteller and USDT are faster. EasyMarkets charges no deposit fees but may have inactivity fees. Trade Nation is fee-free for deposits and withdrawals. Norwegian traders using crypto can benefit from USDT TRC20’s low costs and speed.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Trade Nation offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Norwegian Muslim traders who wish to avoid interest (riba). EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts automatically upon request, with no additional conditions. Trade Nation also offers Islamic accounts, but you must contact their support team to activate the feature. Both accounts ensure no overnight swaps are charged or credited, allowing traders to hold positions long-term without accruing interest. This makes both brokers suitable for Norway’s Muslim community.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. Trade Nation also provides 24/5 support but primarily in English. For Norwegian traders, EasyMarkets may be slightly more accessible as they offer support in multiple languages, though neither broker provides Norwegian-language support natively. Response times are generally fast for both, with live chat being the most efficient channel.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Trade Nation |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Trade Nation if you...
For retail traders in Norway, Trade Nation is the stronger overall choice with its 3.9/5 rating, lower spreads, and top-tier FCA regulation. It supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and offers flexible platforms that suit both beginners and experienced traders. EasyMarkets remains a viable option, especially if you prefer fixed spreads, a simpler platform, or immediate Islamic account access. However, its higher costs and lower regulatory tier make it less attractive for cost-conscious Norwegian traders. Consider your trading volume and platform needs when deciding between these two brokers.