Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Italy is one of Europe’s most active forex trading markets, with retail traders increasingly turning to global brokers like Forex.com and FXTM. When comparing these two brokers for Italian traders in 2025, several local factors come into play: regulatory oversight from CONSOB and ESMA, preferred payment methods such as SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PostePay, and the need for accounts denominated in EUR. Forex.com, with a score of 3.4/5, is a well-established broker regulated by the FCA, offering robust platforms and strong regulatory protection. However, it has a higher minimum deposit and less flexible local payment support. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, stands out with lower minimum deposits, competitive spreads (especially on ECN accounts), and better integration with Italian payment systems like PostePay. For Italian retail traders who prioritise cost-efficiency and convenience, FXTM often appears the more attractive option. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit methods, and other critical factors to help you decide which broker best suits your trading needs in Italy.
| Instrument | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 | Forex.com |
For Italian traders, trading costs are a major consideration, especially when trading EUR/USD—the most popular pair. Forex.com’s standard account offers spreads from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, while its Raw Pricing account (commission-based) starts from 0.0 pips but adds a commission of $7 per lot. FXTM’s Standard account has spreads from 1.3 pips, but its ECN account (with commission) offers spreads as low as 0.1 pips and a commission of $2 per side per lot. For Italian traders trading smaller volumes (less than 10 lots per month), FXTM’s ECN account can be significantly cheaper. For larger volumes, both brokers are competitive, but FXTM’s flexibility in account types gives it an edge for cost-conscious retail traders in Italy.
| Account Type | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | 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+ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Forex.com and FXTM offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are the most popular platforms among Italian traders due to their advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. Forex.com also provides its proprietary Advanced Trading Platform, which features a clean interface and advanced order types. FXTM focuses exclusively on MT4 and MT5, with no proprietary platform. For Italian traders who value customisability and EA support, MT4/MT5 are sufficient. However, if you want a platform with built-in advanced risk management tools, Forex.com’s proprietary option may be appealing. Both brokers offer mobile trading apps compatible with iOS and Android, ensuring you can trade from anywhere in Italy.
| Factor | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 |
Execution quality is vital for Italian traders who need reliable order fills. Forex.com uses a no-dealing-desk (NDD) model with straight-through processing, claiming execution speeds under 10 ms on its dedicated infrastructure. FXTM also offers NDD execution on its ECN account, with market execution and no requotes. Both brokers have servers in London (equidistant from Italy), so latency is similar. For scalpers and high-frequency traders, FXTM’s ECN account provides raw spreads and direct market access, which may be preferable. Overall, both offer solid execution for retail traders in Italy.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Italian traders due to CONSOB’s strict oversight of the forex market. Forex.com is regulated by the FCA (UK) and also by CFTC/NFA in the US, but it is not directly regulated by CONSOB. However, it accepts Italian clients under the ESMA passporting regime, providing protection like negative balance protection and leverage caps (1:30 for retail). FXTM is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FCA, also eligible to serve Italian clients under ESMA rules. Both brokers are on safe standing, but Italian traders should note that CySEC-regulated entities (like FXTM) have a compensation scheme of up to €20,000, while FCA-regulated firms (Forex.com) offer up to £85,000. For larger account holders, Forex.com’s compensation limit may be more reassuring.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
For Italian traders, convenient deposit and withdrawal methods are crucial. Both Forex.com and FXTM accept deposits in EUR via SEPA bank transfer, which is free of charge and typically clears within 1-2 business days. Standard bank transfers are also supported. For PostePay users, FXTM provides a clear advantage: you can deposit using your PostePay prepaid card through the credit/debit card option (Visa/Mastercard), and withdrawals can be processed back to the same card. Forex.com also accepts major credit/debit cards, but PostePay support is not explicitly advertised and may require using a third-party e-wallet like Skrill or Neteller, which adds extra steps. Withdrawals at both brokers are generally processed within 1-2 business days, with no fees on SEPA bank transfers. FXTM’s more straightforward PostePay integration makes it easier for Italian traders who rely on this popular local payment method.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Italian Muslim traders who require swap-free (Islamic) accounts will find a clear difference between the two brokers. Forex.com does not offer Islamic accounts in any region, including Italy. FXTM, on the other hand, provides swap-free accounts on request for clients who comply with Sharia law. The account types eligible include Standard, ECN, and FXTM Shares accounts, with no swap charges on overnight positions. To open an Islamic account, Italian traders simply need to contact FXTM’s support team and confirm their eligibility. This makes FXTM the only viable choice among the two for Muslim traders in Italy.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Both brokers offer customer support in Italian, which is essential for local traders. Forex.com provides 24/5 live chat, phone support, and email, with Italian-speaking agents available during European trading hours. FXTM also offers 24/5 live chat and email support, plus a dedicated Italian phone line. FXTM’s support is known for faster response times, especially for account-related queries. For Italian traders who prefer immediate help in their local language, both brokers meet the requirement, but FXTM edges ahead with slightly more responsive service.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For Italian retail traders in 2025, the choice between Forex.com and FXTM largely depends on your priorities. FXTM achieves a higher user score (4.3 vs 3.4) thanks to its lower minimum deposits, competitive spreads through ECN accounts, and excellent support for local payment methods like SEPA and PostePay. It also offers Islamic accounts, which Forex.com does not. While Forex.com provides stronger regulatory compensation (FCA) and a proprietary platform, its higher minimum deposit and limited PostePay integration make it less convenient for the typical Italian retail trader. Given Italy’s preference for EUR accounts, SEPA transfers, and PostePay, FXTM emerges as the more accessible and cost-effective option. We recommend FXTM for most Italian traders, unless you specifically require FCA regulation or a proprietary trading platform.