Which broker is better for Portugal traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Portugal, choosing between EasyMarkets and XM Group requires a close look at trading costs, local payment methods, and regulatory protection. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and user-friendly platform, which appeals to beginners. XM Group, with a higher rating of 4.7/5, offers tighter spreads, more account types, and deeper liquidity, making it a strong choice for active traders. Both brokers accept deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient funding for Portuguese clients. However, XM’s additional local presence through its CMVM (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários) license provides extra reassurance, while EasyMarkets relies on its CySEC regulation, which is still valid under ESMA passporting. This comparison will help Portugal traders decide which broker aligns better with their trading style, risk tolerance, and specific requirements in the Portuguese market.
| 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 |
XM Group consistently offers lower trading costs for Portugal traders. For example, on the EUR/USD pair, XM’s Standard account spreads start from 1.0 pips compared to EasyMarkets’ fixed spread of 1.5 pips. For higher volume traders, XM’s Zero account features spreads as low as 0.0 pips with a small commission per lot, while EasyMarkets maintains fixed spreads across all account types. This makes XM more cost-effective for frequent traders in Portugal, as lower spreads directly reduce overall trading expenses. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide predictability, but the higher cost can add up over many trades. Portugal traders should consider their trading frequency and typical position sizes when evaluating these costs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and mobile apps, which are designed for simplicity and include features like DealCancellation and Freeze Rate. These can be beneficial for Portugal traders who are new to forex. XM Group provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, along with XM WebTrader. MetaTrader platforms give Portugal traders access to advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and a wide range of indicators. XM also supports the popular TradingView integration, which many Portuguese retail traders prefer. For algorithmic trading or technical analysis, XM is the better choice, while EasyMarkets caters to those wanting a more guided experience.
| 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 STP (Straight Through Processing) execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast order fills and minimal slippage for Portugal traders. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and some requotes during volatile markets. XM’s execution is generally superior for scalping and news trading, while EasyMarkets may be acceptable for longer-term strategies. Portugal traders who prioritize speed and transparency will benefit from XM’s execution.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) and complies with ESMA requirements, including leverage limits of 1:30 for retail clients. XM Group also holds a CySEC license and, importantly, is authorized by the Portuguese regulator CMVM (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários) under its branch setup. This local registration gives Portugal traders additional protection under Portuguese law and access to local dispute resolution through CMVM. Both brokers offer negative balance protection and client fund segregation, but XM’s explicit CMVM license provides a higher level of oversight directly relevant to Portugal residents. EasyMarkets’ CySEC license is still valid under EU passporting, but CMVM registration is a notable advantage for XM.
| 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 |
Portugal traders can fund their accounts at both EasyMarkets and XM Group using local-friendly methods: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. XM Group processes withdrawals efficiently, typically within one business day for e-wallets, and supports instant Skrill and Neteller deposits. EasyMarkets also supports these methods but may charge a small fee for Bank Transfers on withdrawals, while XM usually offers free withdrawals for the first one per month. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed quickly by both brokers, with XM providing a clear fee schedule. For Portugal traders, XM’s faster withdrawal times and lower fees on e-wallets make it more convenient for managing funds. Both brokers accept deposits in USD, which aligns with typical account currency preferences.
| 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 Portugal Muslim traders who require compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides swap-free conditions on all its account types, with no extra charges for short-term positions, but may apply a modest administration fee for trades held beyond a specific period. XM’s Islamic accounts are available on Standard, Micro, and Zero accounts, with swap-free status automatically applied upon request. XM does not charge additional fees for holding positions overnight, making it more cost-effective for long-term traders. Portugal traders should confirm with each broker’s support team any specific conditions, as policy updates can occur. Overall, XM offers a more transparent Islamic account setup.
| 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 for Portugal traders is available in Portuguese at both EasyMarkets and XM Group. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support. XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual support with faster response times and a dedicated Portuguese team. XM also has a comprehensive FAQ section and local contact number. For Portuguese-speaking retail traders, XM’s support is more responsive and accessible.
| 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 retail traders in Portugal, XM Group is the clear winner with its higher rating (4.7/5 vs 3.4/5), lower costs, better platform choice, and local regulatory registration with CMVM. XM supports popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and offers faster withdrawals. EasyMarkets remains an option for beginners who value fixed spreads and simplicity, but its higher trading costs and less flexible execution make it less suitable for active or cost-conscious traders. Ultimately, Portugal traders should consider their trading style and preferences, but XM Group provides a more robust and better-regulated environment for long-term success.