Which broker is better for Portugal traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Portugal, choosing between Forex.com and EasyMarkets is a key decision. Both brokers score 3.4/5 in our 2025 comparison and are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment. Portuguese traders benefit from local payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. Forex.com is known for its vast product range and low spreads, while EasyMarkets attracts traders with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders. This comparison dives into trading costs, platforms, regulation, and support specifically for Portugal, helping you decide which broker aligns with your retail trading goals. Whether you trade from Lisbon or Porto, understanding these differences is crucial for maximizing your returns in the USD-denominated markets.
| Instrument | Forex.com | 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 | $100 | $25 | Forex.com |
For Portugal traders, trading costs are a major factor. Forex.com offers variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission per lot, making it ideal for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that are wider but predictable, with no commissions. For a Portuguese trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Forex.com's lower spreads can save up to 20% in costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, if you prefer cost certainty, EasyMarkets' fixed structure may be worth the premium. Both brokers offer USD-denominated accounts, so currency conversion fees are minimal for Portuguese traders.
| Account Type | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 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 | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Forex.com provides the proprietary Web Trader platform and MetaTrader 4/5, giving Portuguese traders advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, designed for simplicity and ease of use. For retail traders in Portugal who need complex analysis, Forex.com's MT5 is superior. EasyMarkets' platform is better for beginners or those who prefer a streamlined experience without overwhelming features. Both platforms are available in Portuguese and support local payment methods.
| Factor | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Forex.com uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model, offering fast execution with minimal requotes, ideal for scalping strategies popular among Portuguese traders. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to slippage during volatile periods. For retail traders in Portugal who value speed and price accuracy, Forex.com has the edge. However, EasyMarkets' guaranteed stop-loss ensures no slippage on stop orders, which is a unique advantage for risk management.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Forex.com and EasyMarkets are regulated by the local financial regulator in Portugal, ensuring compliance with European MiFID II standards. This means client funds are segregated, and negative balance protection is in place. Forex.com also holds licenses from multiple global regulators, adding an extra layer of trust. For Portuguese traders, this local oversight means you can trade with confidence, knowing both brokers adhere to strict rules on leverage, reporting, and investor compensation. The local financial regulator's involvement protects your deposits up to €20,000 under the Investor Compensation Scheme.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 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) |
Portuguese traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. Bank Transfer is available for larger sums, typically taking 1-3 business days. Skrill and Neteller offer instant deposits and withdrawals with low fees, ideal for active traders. USDT TRC20 is a modern option for crypto users, with near-instant processing and no bank involvement. Forex.com supports all these methods, while EasyMarkets also accepts them but may charge a small fee on certain e-wallet withdrawals. Minimum deposits are low: Forex.com starts at $100, EasyMarkets at $100. For Portuguese traders, using Skrill or Neteller is the fastest way to fund your account, while USDT TRC20 provides an alternative for those avoiding traditional banking.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | 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 |
For Muslim traders in Portugal, both Forex.com and EasyMarkets offer Islamic accounts (swap-free) that comply with Sharia law. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight interest on positions. EasyMarkets is particularly accommodating, with a simple request process and no extra conditions. Forex.com requires documentation proving residency in a Muslim-majority country or a declaration of faith. Portuguese traders should note that Islamic accounts may have restricted instruments or higher spreads to compensate for the lack of swaps. Both brokers provide these accounts for retail traders, ensuring ethical trading aligns with religious beliefs.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support in Portugal is available in Portuguese at both brokers. Forex.com offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with quick response times. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with a reputation for friendly service. For Portuguese traders, the availability of local language support and timely assistance is comparable, though Forex.com's phone support may be more reliable for urgent issues.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Portugal traders, the choice between Forex.com and EasyMarkets depends on your trading style and priorities. Forex.com excels with lower spreads, advanced platforms, and faster execution, making it ideal for active retail traders who trade frequently. EasyMarkets offers predictability with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss, perfect for conservative traders. Both brokers accept local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring safety. If you prioritize cost-efficiency and flexibility, choose Forex.com. If you prefer simplicity and risk control, EasyMarkets is the better fit. Overall, both are reliable choices for Portuguese traders in 2025.