Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Iceland traders choosing between FBS and EasyMarkets, the decision often comes down to trading costs, payment convenience, and regulatory comfort. FBS, with a solid 3.7/5 rating, appeals to retail traders who want low spreads and multiple deposit options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—methods widely used in Iceland. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, offers a more beginner-friendly platform with fixed spreads and a guaranteed stop-loss feature, but its payment flexibility is narrower. Both brokers accept Icelandic clients and operate under regulatory frameworks that respect local financial regulator oversight, though neither is directly supervised by the Icelandic regulator. Given Iceland's active forex community and preference for digital payments, FBS's broader funding channels and tighter spreads often give it an edge. However, EasyMarkets' risk management tools may attract traders who value simplicity and predictability. This comparison examines key factors—spreads, platforms, regulation, deposits, and Islamic accounts—to help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading style in Iceland.
| Instrument | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
When comparing trading costs for Iceland traders, FBS generally has the upper hand with variable spreads starting from 0.7 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, while EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month, the difference can save around $500 in spread costs with FBS. Additionally, FBS offers commission-free trading on its standard account, whereas EasyMarkets includes spreads in its pricing. Keep in mind that Icelandic traders dealing in ISK or cross pairs may face slightly wider spreads, but FBS's volume-based discounts still provide better value for active traders.
| Account Type | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Iceland traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FBS also provides its proprietary FBS Trader app for mobile users, while EasyMarkets offers a web-based platform with a simple interface and features like deal cancellation. For Icelandic traders who need fast execution and custom indicators, MT4/MT5 on FBS is ideal. EasyMarkets' platform is better for beginners who want a less cluttered experience, but it lacks the depth that experienced local traders often require.
| Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FBS uses an STP (Straight Through Processing) model with average execution speeds under 0.3 seconds, suitable for scalping and high-frequency trading. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with execution speeds around 0.5 seconds. For Iceland traders who require fast order fills, especially during volatile news events, FBS's execution is more reliable. EasyMarkets offers guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can prevent slippage but may result in requotes during fast markets.
| Safety Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize, while EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). For Iceland traders, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, but both comply with European Economic Area standards through their licenses. EasyMarkets' CySEC regulation offers stronger investor protection under MiFID, including negative balance protection and compensation schemes. FBS, however, provides a more flexible trading environment with higher leverage options, which some Icelandic traders may prefer despite the lower regulatory tier.
| Payment Method | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 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) |
Iceland traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. FBS supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with minimum deposits starting at $10 and instant processing for e-wallets and crypto. EasyMarkets also accepts these methods but requires a $100 minimum deposit and may take 1-3 business days for Bank Transfer processing. Withdrawals at FBS are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while EasyMarkets can take up to 48 hours. For Icelandic users who frequently use Skrill or Neteller for online transactions, FBS offers faster and more cost-effective access to funds. USDT TRC20 is a particularly attractive option for crypto-savvy traders, with both brokers supporting it, though FBS has lower fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FBS and EasyMarkets provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Iceland. FBS offers Islamic accounts on all account types without any swap fees or hidden charges, making it suitable for long-term position holders. EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts upon request, but they apply a small administrative fee if positions are held beyond a certain period (usually 10 days). For Icelandic Muslim traders who trade infrequently or hold positions for weeks, FBS's policy is more favorable. However, EasyMarkets' Islamic account still provides a compliant solution for those who prioritize its fixed spreads and risk management features.
| Support Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English-speaking agents available. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support through similar channels. For Iceland traders, FBS's round-the-clock availability is beneficial given the country's time zone (GMT+0). Both brokers have responsive support teams, but FBS's multilingual options include English and other European languages, which is adequate for most Icelandic users.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Iceland traders, FBS emerges as the stronger choice overall, thanks to its lower trading costs, broader payment options (including Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20), and higher broker rating (3.7/5 vs 3.4/5). Its flexible deposit methods align well with Icelandic preferences for digital and crypto payments, and its Islamic account policy is more accommodating. However, EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for beginners or those who prioritize regulatory safety via CySEC and want fixed spreads. Ultimately, if you're an active retail trader in Iceland seeking cost efficiency and convenience, FBS is likely the better fit. Always check the local financial regulator's guidelines to ensure your chosen broker meets your compliance needs.