Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Philippines traders looking to trade forex and CFDs, choosing between FBS and EasyMarkets can be challenging. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, has become a popular choice among local traders, especially OFWs and mobile-first users, thanks to its support for GCash, PayMaya, and USDT deposits. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, offers a simpler, fixed-spread model that appeals to beginners. Both brokers accept Philippines clients and provide platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MT5, but their local payment options and cost structures differ significantly. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Philippines traders: low costs, local payment methods, regulatory awareness, and mobile trading. Whether you’re a remittance investor or a first-time trader, understanding these differences will help you pick the right broker for your needs.
| 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 Philippines traders, FBS has an edge with lower spreads on its Cent and Standard accounts, starting from 0.7 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads starting from 1.5 pips, which are predictable but higher. For traders executing many trades, FBS’s variable spreads can save significant money. However, EasyMarkets has no hidden fees and offers guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can protect against slippage. Overall, FBS is more cost-effective for active traders, while EasyMarkets suits those who prefer fixed costs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (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, the industry-standard platforms favored by Philippines traders for mobile trading. FBS also provides its own mobile app with one-tap trading and built-in analysis tools, ideal for OFWs on the go. EasyMarkets offers a web-based platform with a clean interface and risk management tools like dealCancellation. For Philippines traders who prioritize mobile-first trading, FBS’s app is more feature-rich, while EasyMarkets is simpler for beginners.
| 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 a mix of market execution and instant execution, with average execution speeds of around 0.3 seconds on its ECN accounts. EasyMarkets uses market execution with guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can prevent slippage. For Philippines traders who trade volatile pairs like USD/JPY, EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stops offer more protection, but FBS’s faster execution is better for scalping.
| Safety Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FBS nor EasyMarkets is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Philippines. FBS is regulated by IFSC Belize, while EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia). This means Philippines traders do not have local investor protection, but both brokers have a long track record. For safety, traders should only deposit what they can afford to lose and consider using brokers that comply with international standards. Local regulation is not a factor here, but both brokers are widely used in the Philippines.
| 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) |
FBS is the clear winner for Philippines traders when it comes to deposits and withdrawals. It supports GCash, PayMaya, Bank Transfer, and USDT, with no deposit fees and minimum deposits as low as PHP 50. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours and can be done via the same methods. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, only accepts Bank Transfer and credit/debit cards, with a minimum deposit of $100 (about PHP 5,500). It does not support GCash, PayMaya, or USDT. For OFWs and mobile-first traders who rely on e-wallets, FBS is far more convenient.
| 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 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in the Philippines. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all its account types (Cent, Standard, Zero Spread, ECN) with no swap fees on overnight positions. EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts with no additional charges, and they are available on all account types. Both brokers are suitable for Muslim traders, but FBS’s wider range of account options gives it a slight advantage.
| 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 in English and Tagalog, with live chat, email, and phone support. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support in English, but does not have Tagalog support. For Philippines traders, FBS’s local language support is a big plus, especially for those who prefer to communicate in Filipino.
| 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 Philippines traders, FBS is the better choice overall, especially for those who use GCash, PayMaya, or USDT for deposits. Its lower spreads, 24/7 Tagalog support, and low minimum deposit make it ideal for OFWs and mobile-first traders. EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for beginners who want fixed spreads and guaranteed stops, but its lack of local payment options and higher minimum deposit limit its appeal. Both brokers are not regulated by SEC Philippines, but they have strong international licenses. If you value local payment methods and low costs, FBS is the winner.