Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When Italian retail traders compare EasyMarkets vs XM Group in 2025, the choice often comes down to trading costs and flexibility. Both brokers accept Italian clients via CySEC regulation and support EUR accounts, but their performance differs significantly. XM Group (rated 4.7/5) excels with ultra-low spreads, multiple platforms (MT4/MT5), and a minimum deposit of just €5, making it popular among active day traders in Italy. EasyMarkets (rated 3.4/5) offers fixed spreads and guaranteed stop loss, which appeals to beginners and those who prefer predictable risk. Local payment methods like SEPA bank transfer and PostePay (on XM) are available. Italian traders must also consider CONSOB’s stance on foreign brokers – while neither holds a CONSOB license, both are legally accessible under reverse solicitation. This comparison breaks down fees, deposit methods, regulation, and platform suitability for Italian retail traders.
| 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 Italy traders, trading costs are critical, especially on EUR/USD. XM Group’s variable spreads on the Standard account average 0.8–1.0 pips, while the XM Zero account offers spreads from 0.0 pips (commission-based). EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 1.5–2.0 pips on EUR/USD regardless of market conditions. This means XM is significantly cheaper for scalping or high-volume day trading. A trader executing 100 lots per month on XM’s Zero account pays roughly €70 in commission plus close to zero spread cost, while the same volume on EasyMarkets would cost over €1,500 in spread. For passive swing traders, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads offer budget certainty, but overall XM wins on cost efficiency for Italian retail traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Italian traders value platform reliability and language support. XM Group offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with full Italian localization, plus the XM WebTrader for browser use. EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web platform and mobile app, but no MT4/MT5. For Italian traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or custom indicators, XM is the clear choice. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler and includes risk management tools like ‘dealCancellation’ (a fee-based undo feature). If you are a manual trader who wants easy access to charts and one-click trading, EasyMarkets works, but for algorithmic or active trading, XM’s MT4/MT5 are superior.
| 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 straight-through processing (STP) with no dealing desk intervention on most account types, offering fast execution (average 50ms) and minimal requotes. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with a dealing desk, which can lead to slippage during news events. For Italian day traders who trade during volatile European sessions, XM’s execution is more reliable. EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stop loss protects against gaps but may result in slightly slower fills.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor XM Group holds a CONSOB license, but both are regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) under EU MiFID rules. This means they can accept Italian clients under ‘reverse solicitation’ – the trader must approach the broker. CONSOB has warned against unlicensed brokers, but both firms are compliant with EU standards and offer negative balance protection. XM Group also holds additional licenses from the FCA (UK) and ASIC for international clients. For Italy traders, this means deposits up to €20,000 are protected by the Cyprus ICF (€20,000 compensation scheme). Both brokers segregate client funds in top-tier European banks. While local CONSOB supervision is absent, the regulatory framework is adequate for retail traders.
| 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 |
Italian traders can fund both accounts using SEPA bank transfer, which is free and arrives in 1-2 business days. XM Group also supports PostePay (the popular Italian prepaid card) and credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). EasyMarkets accepts bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and Skrill/Neteller but not PostePay. Minimum deposits: XM €5 (ideal for beginners), EasyMarkets €100. Withdrawals: both process via SEPA free of charge. XM typically processes withdrawals within 24 hours on business days, while EasyMarkets takes 1-3 days. For PostePay users, XM is the only option. Overall, XM offers more flexibility and lower barriers for Italian depositors.
| 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 provide swap-free (Islamic) accounts for Italian Muslim traders. XM offers it automatically on any standard account (no need to request) and applies to all instruments. EasyMarkets requires a written application via email and restricts swap-free to a limited set of currency pairs and metals. XM’s swap-free account is generally more accessible and does not charge admin fees after holding positions overnight, while EasyMarkets applies a small spread adjustment on long-term positions. For Italian Muslim traders who want a hassle-free experience, XM is the better option.
| 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 Italian-language customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with dedicated Italian account managers for larger deposits. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support in Italian via live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. Both are responsive, but XM’s 24/7 (weekday) availability and faster email response make it slightly better for Italian traders who need help after market hours or on weekends.
| 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...
After comparing EasyMarkets vs XM Group for Italy traders in 2025, XM Group is the clear winner for most retail traders. Its lower spreads, MT4/MT5 platform support, flexible deposits (including SEPA and PostePay), and higher overall rating (4.7/5) deliver better value. EasyMarkets still appeals to beginners who want fixed costs and risk management tools like dealCancellation, but its higher spreads and proprietary platform limit growth. Italian traders should also note CONSOB’s position – both brokers are legal but operate without local license. For active trading in EUR pairs, XM Group offers superior conditions and lower barriers to entry.