Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing EasyMarkets and XM Group for Norway traders in 2025, the choice depends on trading style and payment preferences. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is a Cyprus-based broker known for its fixed spreads and proprietary platform, while XM Group (score 4.7/5) offers raw spreads, multiple account types, and extensive global reach. Both brokers accept Norwegian clients, but neither is regulated directly by the local financial regulator, Finanstilsynet. Instead, they operate under EU regimes (CySEC) and international licenses. Traders in Norway typically trade major forex pairs and CFDs using USD accounts, and both brokers support popular local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (EasyMarkets only). With Norway’s high internet penetration and active retail trading community, choosing the right broker involves evaluating spreads, platform features, deposit options, and regulatory safeguards. This comparison provides a detailed breakdown tailored to Norwegian 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 |
Trading costs are a key factor for Norway traders looking to maximize net profits. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads, with EUR/USD averaging around 1.0–1.2 pips, no commission, and a guaranteed stop-loss feature for a small fee. XM Group provides variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. For a Norway trader executing 10 standard lots per month, XM’s raw account can save up to $200–$300 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets’ fixed model. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads appeal to traders who prioritize cost certainty, especially during major news events like Norges Bank rate decisions. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees, but currency conversion from NOK to USD may apply when depositing via Bank Transfer.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice is crucial for Norway traders seeking reliability and advanced tools. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, known for user-friendly design and integrated risk management features like dealCancellation and free guaranteed stops. However, it lacks MetaTrader (MT4/MT5) support, which limits access to automated trading and custom indicators. XM Group provides both MT4 and MT5, the industry standard for forex and CFD trading, along with its own XM WebTrader. For Norwegian traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic strategies, XM’s MT4/MT5 support is essential. EasyMarkets also offers TradingView integration, but for full flexibility, XM is the preferred platform for experienced retail traders.
| 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 |
Execution quality directly impacts trading results, especially for scalpers and day traders in Norway. XM Group offers no requotes with 99.35% execution within 0.1 seconds on its raw spread accounts, using anonymous straight-through processing (STP). EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with guaranteed execution and no slippage on stop-loss orders, but may experience requotes during high volatility. For Norway traders during volatile sessions like the European open, XM’s faster execution and deeper liquidity reduce the risk of slippage, while EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide cost certainty.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical consideration for Norway traders, given that the local financial regulator, Finanstilsynet, sets strict standards for investor protection. Neither EasyMarkets nor XM Group holds a license from Finanstilsynet, but both are regulated by reputable authorities: EasyMarkets by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), and XM Group by CySEC, FCA (UK), and IFSC (Belize). For Norwegian clients, trading under a CySEC license offers negative balance protection and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000). XM also participates in the Financial Ombudsman Service (UK) for eligible clients. While neither broker provides Norwegian-specific depositor insurance, their compliance with EU regulations ensures a high level of security. Norwegian traders should verify their client classification and understand that leverage limits may differ from local rules.
| 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 |
Deposit and withdrawal options tailored to Norway traders are abundant. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits, with a minimum deposit of $100. Withdrawals are processed within 1–2 business days, and USDT withdrawals are available with no additional fees. XM Group supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, with a minimum deposit of just $5, but does not currently offer USDT TRC20. For Norwegian traders who prefer crypto funding, EasyMarkets is the clear choice. Bank transfers from Norwegian accounts (NOK to USD) may incur conversion fees charged by the sending bank, while Skrill and Neteller offer instant deposits with low fixed fees. Both brokers do not charge internal deposit or withdrawal fees, making them cost-effective for frequent transactions. XM’s lower minimum deposit makes it more accessible for beginners, while EasyMarkets’ USDT option appeals to crypto-savvy 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 Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Norwegian Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. EasyMarkets automatically applies swap-free status to all accounts, eliminating any need to request it. XM Group provides Islamic accounts upon request through customer support, with no holding period restrictions for most instruments. Under Islamic accounts, both brokers waive overnight interest on positions held past market close. EasyMarkets’ automatic feature simplifies the process for traders who prefer no manual steps, while XM’s flexibility allows traders to switch between standard and swap-free accounts. For Norway’s growing Muslim population, both options are viable, though EasyMarkets offers a more seamless experience.
| 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 |
Customer support in Norwegian is an important factor for local traders. XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual support in 30+ languages, including Norwegian, via live chat, phone, and email. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support in English, with limited Norwegian assistance during European business hours. For Norway traders who prefer to communicate in their native language, XM holds an edge. Both brokers respond within minutes on live chat, and phone support is toll-free for Norwegian callers (XM). Email responses typically arrive within 24 hours for both.
| 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 most Norway traders, XM Group is the stronger choice due to its higher overall rating (4.7/5), lower raw spreads, extensive MT4/MT5 support, and Norwegian-language customer service. It also supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller deposits with a $5 minimum, making it accessible for all budgets. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) is a solid alternative for traders who value fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss protection, and the ability to deposit via USDT TRC20. While neither broker is regulated by Finanstilsynet, both operate under reputable international licenses. Ultimately, choose XM for cost efficiency and platform versatility, and EasyMarkets for simplicity and crypto-friendly funding.