Which broker is better for France traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
As a French trader in 2025, choosing between EasyMarkets and XM Group means weighing specific local trading conditions. Both brokers are popular among retail traders in France, but they differ significantly in cost, execution, and platform offerings. XM Group holds a higher overall rating of 4.7/5 compared to EasyMarkets' 3.4/5, largely due to tighter spreads and more comprehensive regulatory coverage. For French traders, the ability to deposit via SEPA, bank transfer, or PayPal is crucial, and both brokers support these methods. However, the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) does not directly regulate either broker, but both comply with ESMA rules through CySEC regulation. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs, whether you prioritize low costs, fixed spreads, or platform variety.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for French traders, XM Group typically offers lower spreads and commissions across its account types. For example, on EUR/USD, XM's Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pip, while EasyMarkets starts at 1.2 pips. XM also provides a Zero account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission of €3.5 per lot. For high-volume French scalpers, XM's cost structure is more favorable. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads are slightly wider but provide certainty, which can benefit traders who dislike variable spreads during news events. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees for SEPA and PayPal, but swap costs apply unless using Islamic accounts.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| France (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
For French traders, platform choice matters. XM Group offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both available in French language, plus a proprietary XM WebTrader. This provides flexibility for desktop, web, and mobile trading. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, along with TradingView integration. While EasyMarkets' platform is user-friendly and includes unique risk management tools like dealCancellation, XM's MT4/5 are more powerful for technical analysis and automated trading. French traders who rely on custom indicators or Expert Advisors will prefer XM. Additionally, XM supports multi-terminal trading and MQL5 signals.
| 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 |
EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads with guaranteed stop-loss and no slippage, making its execution predictable and suitable for news trading. However, re-quotes can occur during volatile markets. XM Group uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with straight-through processing (STP), providing faster execution with variable spreads. XM reports average execution speed under 1 second and no re-quotes on most orders. For French scalpers and day traders, XM’s execution quality is superior, while EasyMarkets appeals to traders who prefer certainty over speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and XM Group are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and adhere to ESMA guidelines, including leverage caps of 1:30 for major forex pairs and negative balance protection. This means French traders receive a standard level of protection under MiFID II. XM Group also holds an FCA license (UK), though after Brexit, French clients are onboarded under the CySEC entity. EasyMarkets has additional licenses from ASIC and the FSCA. The AMF does not directly oversee these brokers, but both are listed on the ESMA register, allowing French residents to trade legally. However, French traders should note that neither broker offers local AMF-client money protection beyond the EU framework.
| 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 |
French traders have seamless deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers, including SEPA bank transfer, standard wire transfer, and PayPal. EasyMarkets requires a minimum deposit of €50 and processes SEPA deposits within 1-2 business days; PayPal is instant. Withdrawals are free and processed within 24 hours to PayPal or 2-3 days to bank accounts. XM Group has a lower minimum deposit of €5 and supports SEPA, PayPal, plus e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. XM processes internal transfers instantly and external withdrawals typically within 2-5 business days. Both brokers do not charge fees for SEPA or PayPal transactions. For French traders, XM’s lower minimum and extra e-wallet options provide more flexibility, while EasyMarkets offers faster withdrawals via PayPal. Both accept credit/debit cards from French banks.
| 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 |
French Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant accounts will find both brokers accommodating. EasyMarkets offers swap-free accounts on request for all account types, with approval subject to eligibility. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on Standard and Micro accounts, where no swap is charged on overnight positions. XM requires a declaration of faith and the account remains swap-free indefinitely as long as the trader does not abuse it by keeping positions open for very long periods. EasyMarkets is more lenient with account types but may limit some instruments. Both brokers comply with Islamic finance principles, making them suitable for France's diverse trader base.
| 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 provides 24/5 multilingual customer support in French via live chat, email, and phone, with most queries answered within minutes. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support in English and limited French assistance (live chat and email). For French traders, XM’s dedicated French-speaking team and faster response times give it an edge. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections, but XM also offers local workshops and webinars in French, which is a plus for education.
| 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 French traders in 2025, XM Group is the superior choice overall due to its higher rating (4.7/5), lower costs, and stronger platform ecosystem. Its support for SEPA, bank transfer, and PayPal aligns perfectly with French payment preferences, and its AMF-compliant CySEC regulation ensures a safe trading environment. EasyMarkets remains a viable option for those who prioritize fixed spreads and unique risk tools, but its limited platform options and higher spreads make it less competitive for active traders. Considering local factors, XM Group offers better value for most retail traders in France. We recommend opening a demo account with both brokers to test their services before funding.