Which broker is better for Zambia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Zambian traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025 often compare FBS and EasyMarkets due to their strong global reputations and tailored services. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, excels in offering low spreads, high leverage, and diverse account types, making it a favorite among active traders. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, stands out for its user-friendly platform, fixed spreads, and robust risk management tools like dealCancellation. For Zambia traders, both brokers accept local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals. While neither is locally regulated by the Zambian financial regulator, they operate under reputable international licenses, providing a secure trading environment. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, budget, and local 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 Zambia traders, FBS generally offers lower variable spreads, especially on its ECN account (from 0.0 pips plus commission), which suits high-volume scalpers. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.0-1.5 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, providing cost predictability but higher overall costs. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month, FBS can save approximately $50-$100 in spreads compared to EasyMarkets, depending on market conditions. However, EasyMarkets charges no commission on standard accounts, while FBS's ECN account has a commission. Consider your trading volume and style: FBS for cost efficiency, EasyMarkets for budget certainty.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, powerful platforms with advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators, ideal for experienced Zambia traders. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which are simpler and more intuitive, featuring unique tools like dealCancellation and price freeze. For Zambia traders who value flexibility and analysis, FBS's MT4/MT5 are superior. For beginners or those who prefer a hassle-free experience, EasyMarkets' platform is more accessible. Both are available on desktop, web, and mobile, ensuring you can trade from Lusaka or anywhere in Zambia.
| 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 No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution on its ECN accounts, offering fast order processing with minimal requotes, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. EasyMarkets uses market execution with fixed spreads, which can lead to occasional slippage during volatile news events. For Zambia traders trading major pairs like USD/ZMW, FBS provides more reliable execution, while EasyMarkets' fixed spreads offer price certainty. Overall, FBS wins on execution speed and flexibility.
| 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 and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For Zambia traders, neither broker is overseen by the local financial regulator, but both adhere to international standards, including client fund segregation and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets' ASIC regulation offers additional consumer safeguards, while FBS's IFSC license provides a more flexible trading environment. Always verify the specific entity serving Zambia clients for your chosen broker.
| 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) |
Both FBS and EasyMarkets support the payment methods most relevant to Zambia traders: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FBS offers more variety, including local bank transfers and additional e-wallets, with minimum deposits as low as $5 for standard accounts. EasyMarkets requires a $100 minimum deposit but processes withdrawals quickly, often within 24 hours. USDT TRC20 deposits are instant and fee-free on both platforms, making them ideal for crypto-savvy Zambians. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. FBS has no deposit fees, while EasyMarkets may charge a small fee for certain methods. Overall, FBS provides more flexibility for smaller budgets, while EasyMarkets offers faster withdrawal processing.
| 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 Zambia, complying with Sharia law by charging no swap or rollover interest on overnight positions. FBS provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, including Standard, Cent, and ECN, with no additional fees. EasyMarkets offers a dedicated Islamic account with zero swap fees and no hidden charges, available for both standard and demo accounts. For Zambia traders, EasyMarkets' Islamic account is more straightforward as it is explicitly offered, while FBS requires a request. Both are reliable options for Muslim traders seeking halal trading.
| 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 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team available in English, which is widely spoken in Zambia. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with English-speaking agents. FBS has a slight edge with 24/7 availability, which benefits Zambia traders in different time zones. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections, but FBS's support is more responsive for urgent issues.
| 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 Zambia traders in 2025, FBS is the better choice for cost-conscious, active traders who need low spreads, high leverage, and flexible deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its 24/7 support and advanced platforms suit experienced users. EasyMarkets is ideal for beginners or traders who value simplicity, fixed costs, and innovative risk management. While neither is locally regulated by the Zambian financial regulator, both are reputable. If you prioritize low trading costs and versatility, go with FBS. If you want a straightforward, low-risk experience, choose EasyMarkets.