Which broker is better for Zimbabwe traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Zimbabwe retail traders looking to trade forex and CFDs, choosing between EasyMarkets and XM Group is a key decision. EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5 and XM Group 4.7/5, reflecting differences in trading costs, platform features, and overall value. Zimbabwe traders benefit from both brokers accepting USD accounts and supporting local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets is known for its simple web platform and guaranteed stop loss, while XM Group offers tighter spreads, extensive educational resources, and a wider range of instruments. Both brokers are not regulated by the Zimbabwean local financial regulator, but they hold licenses from top-tier authorities like CySEC and FCA, providing a secure trading environment. This comparison helps Zimbabwean traders decide which broker aligns with their trading style, budget, and need for reliable local deposit options.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs, XM Group clearly wins for Zimbabwe traders. On the Standard account, EUR/USD spreads start from 0.6 pips with no commission, while EasyMarkets charges from 1.1 pips. For higher volumes – say trading 10 standard lots per month – XM Group can save you around $500 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets includes guaranteed stop loss, which may justify the higher spreads for traders who prioritise risk management. Zimbabwe traders using USDT TRC20 for deposits may also want to consider that EasyMarkets has slightly higher withdrawal fees, affecting net profitability.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe (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-based platform designed for simplicity, which is great for Zimbabwe beginners who want to trade without downloading software. It also integrates TradingView charts. XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms with advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and a larger library of indicators. For Zimbabwe traders who want to run strategies or use custom indicators, XM Group is the better choice. Both platforms are available on mobile, ensuring you can trade on the go despite internet fluctuations common in Zimbabwe.
| 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 boasts superior execution speeds with an average of 0.2 seconds and no requotes on market orders. EasyMarkets execution is reliable but slightly slower, around 0.4 seconds, and may requote during high volatility. For Zimbabwe traders dealing with variable internet speeds, XM Group’s faster execution reduces slippage risk. EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stop loss can compensate for slower execution by preventing slippage beyond the chosen price, which is a unique advantage.
| 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), ASIC (Australia), and the FSA (Seychelles). XM Group holds licenses from CySEC, ASIC, the FCA (UK), and IFSC (Belize). While neither broker is directly regulated by the Zimbabwe local financial regulator, they comply with strict international standards, including client fund segregation and negative balance protection. For Zimbabwe traders, this means your funds are held in separate accounts, reducing risk if the broker faces financial issues. XM Group’s FCA regulation offers the highest level of protection, making it a safer choice for conservative 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 |
Both EasyMarkets and XM Group support the payment methods Zimbabwe traders prefer: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank Transfers are ideal for larger amounts but take 1-3 business days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and widely used for forex funding. USDT TRC20 is a fast and low-cost option, especially useful for Zimbabwe traders who use cryptocurrency. Withdrawals: XM Group processes most requests within 24 hours and does not charge internal fees. EasyMarkets may take 1-2 business days and occasionally charges a fee for bank wire withdrawals. Minimum deposits are low for both – around $10 for XM and $25 for EasyMarkets – making them accessible to Zimbabwe retail 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Zimbabwe Muslim traders, which comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. XM Group provides swap-free status indefinitely without extra costs, while EasyMarkets may add a small administrative fee after holding positions for a certain period (e.g., 10 days). To open an Islamic account, simply select the option during registration or contact support. Given XM Group’s unlimited swap-free period, it is often the preferred choice among Zimbabwe Muslim traders.
| 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 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with average response times under 5 minutes. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support but with slightly longer response times (8-10 minutes). For Zimbabwe traders, both offer support in English. XM Group additionally has a comprehensive FAQ section and educational webinars that can help Zimbabwe traders quickly resolve issues.
| 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 Zimbabwe retail traders, XM Group is the clear winner with a 4.7 rating against EasyMarkets’ 3.4. XM offers lower spreads, faster execution, stronger regulation (FCA), and a wider product range. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits, making them equally accessible via local payment methods. However, XM Group’s unlimited Islamic account, comprehensive educational resources, and 24/5 responsive support give it an edge. EasyMarkets is suitable for risk-averse beginners who value guaranteed stop loss and a simplified web platform. Considering Zimbabwe’s local financial regulator does not directly license either broker, XM’s tier-1 regulatory oversight provides more peace of mind. We recommend XM Group for most Zimbabwe traders, especially those active or planning to grow.