Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing FXCM vs EasyMarkets for Italy traders in 2025, both brokers present strong options, but they cater to different trading styles. FXCM, with a score of 3.5/5, is a well-established global broker known for its advanced trading platforms (Trading Station, MT4, MT5) and competitive variable spreads. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is a Cyprus-based broker that focuses on user-friendliness, fixed spreads, and risk management tools like DealCancellation. Both are regulated by CONSOB through CySEC, ensuring Italian traders benefit from EU investor protections, negative balance protection, and leverage limits (max 1:30 for major forex pairs). Italy traders can fund accounts using SEPA transfers, Bank Transfer, or PostePay (FXCM only). This comparison breaks down the key differences in costs, platforms, regulation, and payment methods to help you decide which broker fits your Italian trading needs.
| Instrument | FXCM | 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 | $50 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
For Italy traders, trading costs are a critical factor. FXCM offers variable spreads starting from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts, with the Active Trader program reducing spreads to 0.2 pips for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD, which remain stable even during news events. FXCM charges a commission on its Raw Spread account (from $7 per lot round turn), while EasyMarkets has no commission but wider fixed spreads. For a trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, FXCM’s variable spread model can be cheaper (around €50-70 in spread costs), while EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads would cost approximately €100-120. However, EasyMarkets’ predictability appeals to risk-averse traders.
| Account Type | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $50 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 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 | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXCM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXCM provides a comprehensive platform suite including its proprietary Trading Station (desktop and web versions), MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), all fully compatible with Italian computers and mobile devices. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform, a mobile app, and MT4. For Italy traders, FXCM’s Trading Station features advanced charting tools, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and a customizable interface. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler, with one-click trading, guaranteed stop-loss (GSLO), and DealCancellation (allows reversing losing trades within 60 minutes for a fee). If you need advanced technical analysis and algorithmic trading, FXCM is superior; if you value simplicity and risk protection, EasyMarkets excels.
| Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FXCM uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution model with low latency, offering average execution speeds of 40-60 milliseconds. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders. For Italy traders focused on scalping or news trading, FXCM’s NDD execution is faster and more transparent. EasyMarkets’ execution is reliable but may involve requotes during volatile periods. Overall, FXCM provides superior execution for active traders.
| Safety Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXCM and EasyMarkets are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which allows them to operate in Italy under the EU MiFID II passport. This means Italian clients are protected by the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000) and negative balance protection. However, neither broker is directly regulated by CONSOB, the Italian regulator, but they comply with CONSOB’s leverage restrictions (max 1:30 for major forex pairs). FXCM has additional regulation from the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), while EasyMarkets is also regulated by the FSCA (South Africa). For Italy traders, this means both brokers offer adequate safety, but FXCM’s multiple regulatory layers add an extra layer of security.
| Payment Method | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal Processing: FXCM reviews and processes requests in 1–2 business days.Credit or Debit Card: Arrives within 5 business days, though statements can take up to 1 billing cycle to update.Domestic Bank Wire: Arrives in 1–2 business days after processing.International Bank Wire: Arrives in 3–5 business days after processing. | 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) |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as an Italy trader is straightforward with both brokers. FXCM supports SEPA bank transfers (free, 1-2 business days), Bank Transfer (via local Italian banks), PostePay prepaid cards (instant, no fee), credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller). Minimum deposit is €50. Withdrawals are processed via the same methods, with SEPA withdrawals taking 1-2 business days and PostePay withdrawals available instantly. EasyMarkets supports SEPA transfers (free, 1-3 days), Bank Transfer, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller), but does not explicitly list PostePay. Minimum deposit is €100. Withdrawals are free but may take 2-5 business days for bank transfers. For Italy traders preferring PostePay, FXCM is the better choice.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXCM | 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 FXCM and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Italy. FXCM provides swap-free accounts upon request, with no overnight interest charges on forex positions, but clients must meet eligibility criteria (e.g., not trading high-frequency scalping strategies). EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts with no rollover fees, available after account approval. Both brokers comply with CONSOB rules, ensuring no hidden fees. However, FXCM’s Islamic account requires manual activation via customer support, while EasyMarkets offers it as a standard option during account opening. For Italy Muslim traders, both are viable, but EasyMarkets’ process is simpler.
| Support Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXCM |
FXCM offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with Italian language support available during European trading hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with Italian-speaking agents. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites. For Italy traders, FXCM’s support is slightly more responsive, with average response times under 2 minutes for live chat, while EasyMarkets averages 3-5 minutes. Phone support is available in Italian for both.
| Mobile Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FXCM |
| Resource | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXCM |
Choose FXCM if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Italy traders in 2025, FXCM edges out EasyMarkets with a higher overall score (3.5 vs 3.4) due to its superior platform variety, lower variable spreads, and broader deposit options including PostePay. However, EasyMarkets is a strong contender for beginners and risk-averse traders who value fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and user-friendly tools. Both brokers are CONSOB-compliant and accept Italian clients via SEPA and Bank Transfer. If you’re an active trader seeking advanced tools and lower costs, choose FXCM. If you prioritize simplicity and predictable costs, EasyMarkets is a solid alternative. Consider your trading style and deposit preferences (PostePay only at FXCM) when deciding.