Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Filipino forex traders, choosing between EasyMarkets and XM Group comes down to trading style and cost preferences. EasyMarkets (rated 3.4/5) is known for its unique risk management tools like fixed spreads, guaranteed stop loss, and no slippage — a solid choice for beginners and conservative traders in the Philippines who want predictable costs. XM Group (rated 4.7/5) is a global giant offering over 1,000 instruments with variable spreads from 0.0 pips. With a strong mobile app, local payment options including GCash and PayMaya, and support for Filipino-language customer service, XM is particularly appealing to mobile-first traders and OFWs who manage remittance investments. Both brokers accept Philippine bank transfers and USDT deposits. However, XM's superior trading conditions and higher trust rating make it the preferred option for most active traders in the Philippines.
| 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 |
Spread costs are a major factor for Philippines traders who often trade smaller lot sizes. XM Group's Ultra Low Account offers spreads as low as 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $3.5 commission per lot, while its Standard Account has spreads around 1.0 pip with no commission. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that are typically 1.2 pips for EUR/USD — higher than XM's variable spreads during liquid market hours. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month, XM saves approximately $200–$400 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. XM also offers lower swap rates (overnight fees) for Philippine peso-based traders hedging against USD/PHP.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), along with proprietary mobile apps. XM's mobile app is highly optimized for smartphones, with one-tap trading, push notifications, and full account management — perfect for mobile-first traders in the Philippines who trade on the go. EasyMarkets' web platform offers a simpler interface with built-in risk management tools like Deal Cancellation and Freeze Rate, which add cost but provide peace of mind. XM also provides a dedicated app for Android and iOS that supports local payment methods, while EasyMarkets' app is more basic. For Filipino traders who prioritize speed and functionality, XM's platform wins.
| 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 guaranteed stop loss and no slippage, meaning your order will always fill exactly at your price — a unique feature but one that often results in requotes or slower execution. XM Group uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with very low latency, typically under 15 milliseconds. For scalpers and day traders in the Philippines, XM's faster execution and lack of requotes deliver better trade entries. EasyMarkets' execution is more suited to long-term position traders who fear slippage.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and DFSA (Dubai). EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and the FSC (British Virgin Islands). Neither broker holds a license from the SEC Philippines. For Filipino traders, this means they can legally open accounts but do not have local investor protection. XM's stronger multi-regulatory oversight and longer track record (since 2009) provide greater reassurance. The SEC Philippines has warned against unregulated offshore brokers, so traders should always check the latest alerts. Using a broker with strong international regulation, like XM, mitigates some risk.
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Philippines traders at both brokers. EasyMarkets accepts Philippine bank transfers (BPI, BDO, Metrobank), USDT (TRC20 & ERC20), and international credit cards. It does not directly support GCash or PayMaya, but some third-party payment processors may enable these. XM Group explicitly supports GCash, PayMaya, and local bank transfers (including BPI, BDO, Security Bank) plus USDT. XM also offers cash deposits via over-the-counter channels with no fees. Minimum deposit is $5 for XM versus $100 for EasyMarkets. Withdrawals are free and processed within 24 hours for both. XM has a clear edge for Filipinos who rely on e-wallets.
| 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 |
Muslim traders in the Philippines can open swap-free Islamic accounts at both EasyMarkets and XM Group. XM's Islamic account is available on all account types and can be requested upon registration. No interest is charged or paid on positions held overnight. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts without requiring proof of faith, making it more accessible. Both brokers waive swap fees. However, XM's Islamic account also includes access to the same low spreads and extensive product range. For Muslim OFWs trading from the Philippines, XM provides a better overall package with Islamic-friendly conditions and local payment support.
| 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 customer support in both English and Filipino via live chat, email, and phone. The Filipino-speaking team is helpful for local payment queries. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support in English only via live chat and email. XM also has a comprehensive FAQ section with Philippine-specific guides. For Filipino traders who prefer speaking in Tagalog, XM is the clear winner.
| 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 the vast majority of Philippines traders, XM Group is the better choice. Its 4.7/5 rating reflects superior spreads, a wider product range, and genuine local payment support including GCash, PayMaya, bank transfers, and USDT. The broker's strong regulation, Filipino-speaking support, and low $5 minimum deposit make it ideal for mobile-first traders and OFWs managing remittance investments. EasyMarkets remains a niche option for traders who value fixed spreads and guaranteed stops, but its higher costs and limited local payment options ($100 min) put it behind XM. While neither broker is regulated by SEC Philippines, XM's international oversight provides more confidence. We recommend XM Group for most Filipino traders.