Which broker is better for Belgium traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Belgium retail traders looking for a reliable forex broker must navigate regulations from the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) and choose between platforms that meet local needs. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) and XM Group (score 4.7/5) both operate under FSMA oversight, offering USD-denominated accounts with popular Belgian payment methods: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets attracts traders who prefer fixed spreads and a simple all-in-one platform, while XM Group appeals to those seeking low variable spreads, advanced tools, and a wider asset range. This comparison breaks down costs, regulation, payment methods, and platform features specifically for Belgian traders, helping you decide which broker fits your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $5 | EasyMarkets |
For Belgium traders, spread costs directly impact profitability, especially when trading EUR/USD. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads starting at 1.0 pips with no commission, which suits predictable cost management but becomes expensive for high-volume scalping. XM Group provides variable spreads from 0.6 pips on standard accounts and as low as 0.1 pips on its Ultra Low account, with a small commission per lot. Over 100 lots per month, XM's variable model saves Belgian traders roughly 20–30% on total trading costs compared to EasyMarkets' fixed spreads. Swap fees are also lower at XM for overnight positions.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Belgian traders require stable, multilingual platforms. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web and mobile platform with built-in risk management tools like negative balance protection and deal cancellation. XM Group offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own WebTrader, all available in Dutch, French, and English. XM's platforms support advanced charting, algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors, and copy trading through XM Copy. For Belgian traders who value flexibility and third-party integrations, XM's platform ecosystem is superior; EasyMarkets suits beginners who prefer a streamlined interface.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| 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 |
XM Group uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with ECN execution for its Zero and Ultra Low accounts, offering average execution speeds under 40 milliseconds. EasyMarkets operates a dealing desk model, which may introduce requotes during volatile markets. For Belgian traders who trade during London/New York overlaps, XM's faster execution and absence of requotes reduce slippage and improve trade accuracy. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect against widening during news events, but at the cost of slower fills.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA), which enforces strict investor protections under ESMA rules. This includes maximum leverage of 1:30 for major forex pairs, negative balance protection, and mandatory risk warnings. EasyMarkets holds CySEC and ASIC licenses, while XM Group is regulated by CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and IFSC. For Belgian traders, FSMA compliance ensures fund segregation and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) for accounts under €20,000. XM's multiple-tier regulation offers an extra layer of oversight, though both meet local standards.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Belgian traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. EasyMarkets has a minimum deposit of $100 and processes bank transfers within 1–2 business days, while e-wallets and USDT are instant. XM Group lowers the barrier with a $5 minimum deposit and supports all four methods with zero fees. Withdrawals are handled quickly: e-wallets and USDT TRC20 are processed within 24 hours, while bank transfers take 2–5 days. Both brokers allow partial withdrawals and do not charge withdrawal fees, though intermediary banks may impose charges for Belgium-based transfers. XM's lower minimum deposit makes it more accessible for retail Belgian traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group offer swap-free Islamic accounts to Belgian Muslim traders, complying with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. XM Group provides Islamic accounts with no minimum deposit requirement beyond the standard $5, while EasyMarkets may require a declaration of faith or minimum deposit of $100. These accounts function identically to regular accounts except for swap-free status. Belgian traders should note that holding positions beyond a few days on certain instruments may incur administrative fees at XM. Both brokers require explicit request during account opening to activate the Islamic feature.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
XM Group offers customer support in 30+ languages, including Dutch and French, via 24/5 live chat, email, and phone. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support in English and limited local languages, with email and phone channels. For Belgium traders who prefer native-language assistance, XM Group's Dutch and French support is a clear advantage. Response times are similar, typically under 2 minutes for live chat at both brokers.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | XM Group | 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 | XM Group | 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 XM Group if you...
For Belgium retail traders in 2025, XM Group is the stronger choice overall with a 4.7/5 rating vs EasyMarkets' 3.4. XM delivers lower spreads, faster ECN execution, more platform options (MT4/MT5), and better local support in Dutch and French. Both brokers comply with FSMA regulation and accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but XM's $5 minimum deposit and broader asset selection make it more accessible. EasyMarkets remains a decent option for beginners who prioritize fixed costs and simplicity. However, given XM's superior cost structure and flexibility, most Belgium traders will benefit from choosing XM Group.