Which broker is better for Russia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Russia traders seeking offshore brokers face a critical choice between EasyMarkets and XM Group in 2025. With the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) restricting local forex firms, experienced traders often turn to foreign-regulated brokers that accept RUB deposits and offer convenient payment methods like USDT, Bank Transfer, and Qiwi. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and no-dealing-desk execution, appealing to traders who prefer cost predictability. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is one of the largest retail brokers globally, offering ultra-low variable spreads, multiple account types, and robust support for Russian clients. Both brokers are unregulated by the CBR but hold licenses from ASIC, CySEC, and FCA, providing a layer of offshore security. For Russia traders who value low costs, high leverage (up to 1:888 at XM), and flexible funding options, XM Group emerges as the superior choice. However, EasyMarkets may suit those who prioritize fixed spreads and a simpler platform. This comparison dives into spreads, deposits, regulation, and more to help Russia traders decide.
| 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 Russia traders, trading costs are crucial when choosing between EasyMarkets and XM Group. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads: 1.2 pips on EUR/USD and 1.5 pips on GBP/USD, with no commission. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month, the cost is approximately $1,200. XM Group, on the Standard account, has variable spreads averaging 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, reducing monthly costs to around $600. The XM Zero account offers as low as 0.0 pips with a $6 commission per lot, ideal for high-volume experienced traders. In RUB terms, given the ruble's volatility, XM Group's lower spreads save Russia traders significantly over time. Swap rates also differ: EasyMarkets charges higher overnight fees on some currencies, while XM Group offers competitive swap rates for RUB pairs like USDRUB.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Russia (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 MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Russia traders for automated trading and custom indicators. EasyMarkets also provides its proprietary web-based platform with a clean interface and risk management tools like dealCancellation and negative balance protection. XM Group supports WebTrader and mobile apps alongside MT4/MT5. For Russia traders, MT4/MT5 availability is standard, but XM Group’s additional features like advanced charting tools and 24/5 support in Russian give it an edge. EasyMarkets’ proprietary platform includes a "freeze rate" option, which may appeal to scalpers. Overall, XM Group offers a more extensive platform ecosystem.
| 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 uses a no-dealing-desk (NDD) model with fixed spreads, but execution can be slower during high volatility due to manual intervention capabilities. XM Group offers STP and DMA execution with variable spreads, achieving average execution speeds under 50 ms. For Russia traders who scalp or trade news, XM Group’s faster execution reduces slippage. EasyMarkets’ "freeze rate" feature, however, allows traders to lock in prices for a few seconds, which some may find beneficial.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor XM Group is regulated by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). However, both are offshore brokers licensed by top-tier authorities: EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while XM Group is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and also holds an FCA license in the UK. For Russia traders, this means client funds are held in segregated accounts under EU or Australian law, offering protection but not CBR oversight. Leverage restrictions differ: EasyMarkets caps at 1:400, while XM Group offers up to 1:888 for Russia clients (subject to product). Experienced traders seeking offshore brokers should prefer XM Group due to its stricter FCA regulation, which enforces accurate transaction reporting and compensation schemes.
| 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 |
Deposits and withdrawals in RUB are straightforward at both brokers, but XM Group offers more convenience. EasyMarkets accepts Bank Transfer (EUR/USD) and Qiwi, but notably does not support USDT (Tether). Minimum deposit is $250 equivalent. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days via Qiwi or bank wire. XM Group supports USDT, Bank Transfer, and Qiwi, with no deposit fees and instant processing for USDT. Minimum deposit is just $5. For Russia traders, USDT deposits avoid bank delays and currency conversion fees. XM Group also offers free withdrawals up to $100 per month via Qiwi, while EasyMarkets charges a fee for some methods. Both require KYC documentation (passport, proof of address). Given the popularity of USDT among Russian crypto users, XM Group is the better choice for flexible funding.
| 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 Russia can open Islamic (swap-free) accounts with both brokers. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts for all account types upon request, with no expiry period. XM Group offers Islamic accounts on Standard, Micro, and Ultra Low accounts, but not on the Zero account; these accounts remain swap-free indefinitely but may incur a small administrative fee after a holding period (e.g., 90 days) on certain instruments. For Russia's large Muslim population, EasyMarkets is more straightforward, while XM Group suits those who trade primarily standard accounts. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying interest overnight.
| 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 offers 24/5 customer support in Russian via live chat, phone, and email, with dedicated account managers for VIP clients. EasyMarkets also provides Russian-language support but with limited hours (24/5, lower responsiveness). Response times: XM Group typically answers within 1 minute, while EasyMarkets averages 5-10 minutes. For Russia traders needing prompt assistance, especially during volatile market hours, XM Group’s support is more reliable.
| 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 Russia traders in 2025, XM Group is the clear winner over EasyMarkets, scoring 4.7/5 vs 3.4/5. XM Group offers lower spreads, faster execution, and superior deposit flexibility with USDT, Bank Transfer, and Qiwi—critical for those seeking offshore brokers. EasyMarkets may appeal to beginners or traders who value fixed spreads and Islamic accounts without restrictions, but its higher costs and lack of USDT support are drawbacks. Given the CBR’s hands-off approach to offshore forex, XM Group provides better value for experienced Russia traders who want to maximize returns while maintaining convenience in funding and withdrawal. We recommend XM Group for most Russian traders.