Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Iceland retail traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare FxOpen and EasyMarkets due to their global reputation and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FxOpen, with a score of 3.7/5, is known for its low-cost ECN trading and MetaTrader platforms, while EasyMarkets (3.4/5) offers a user-friendly web trader and fixed spreads. Both brokers accept Icelandic clients and provide USD-denominated accounts. However, differences in trading costs, platform flexibility, and regulatory coverage matter when trading from Iceland’s smaller financial market. This comparison breaks down each broker’s strengths to help you choose the right fit for your trading style and local requirements.
| Instrument | FxOpen | 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 | FxOpen |
FxOpen offers variable spreads from 0.0 pips on ECN accounts with a $3.5 commission per lot, making it cheaper for Iceland traders who trade frequently or in larger volumes. EasyMarkets has fixed spreads averaging 1.5 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, but this increases costs over time. For a trader in Iceland executing 10 standard lots per month, FxOpen saves approximately $200 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. Swap rates also differ: FxOpen charges overnight fees, while EasyMarkets offers swap-free accounts on request.
| Account Type | FxOpen | 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 | FxOpen | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FxOpen |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FxOpen |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FxOpen |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FxOpen | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FxOpen provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are industry standards for Iceland traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom indicators. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform with a clean interface and built-in risk management tools like DealCancellation and free guaranteed stop losses. For Iceland traders who prefer automated trading or advanced charting, FxOpen is superior. EasyMarkets suits beginners who value simplicity and protection features over customization.
| Factor | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FxOpen |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FxOpen uses ECN/STP execution with no dealing desk, offering fast order execution and minimal slippage, ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading. EasyMarkets uses market maker execution with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop losses, which can result in requotes during volatile markets. For Iceland traders who trade news events or use scalping strategies, FxOpen’s execution is superior. EasyMarkets is better for those who prioritize trade certainty over speed.
| Safety Factor | FxOpen | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FxOpen nor EasyMarkets is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in Iceland. FxOpen holds licenses from the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), while EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC and ASIC. For Iceland traders, this means client funds are protected under EU investor compensation schemes but not the local regulator. Always verify the broker’s license and ensure it covers your country. FxOpen’s FCA regulation offers stronger protection, including negative balance protection.
| Payment Method | FxOpen | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | 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) |
Iceland traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FxOpen also accepts credit/debit cards and cryptocurrencies, while EasyMarkets adds PayPal and local bank transfers. Minimum deposits vary: FxOpen requires $100 for standard accounts, and EasyMarkets requires $100 as well. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, while Bank Transfer takes 2-5 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are instant and fee-free at FxOpen. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but EasyMarkets may charge a withdrawal fee after the first free withdrawal per month.
| Islamic Account Feature | FxOpen | 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 FxOpen and EasyMarkets offer Islamic accounts (swap-free) for Iceland Muslim traders who cannot earn or pay interest. FxOpen provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types, though some instruments like indices may carry an admin fee after a certain holding period. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts automatically with no additional fees on most instruments. For long-term position traders in Iceland, EasyMarkets’ policy is more straightforward, but FxOpen’s flexibility on account types is a plus for active traders.
| Support Feature | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FxOpen |
FxOpen offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with quick response times. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support with live chat, email, and callback service. For Iceland traders, both support English well, but EasyMarkets has a slight edge with its callback feature for urgent issues. FxOpen’s support is more technical, suitable for experienced traders.
| Mobile Feature | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FxOpen |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FxOpen |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FxOpen |
| Resource | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FxOpen |
Choose FxOpen if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Iceland retail traders, FxOpen (3.7/5) is the stronger choice overall, offering lower trading costs, superior execution, and advanced platforms. It is ideal for active traders who want to minimize spreads and leverage ECN technology. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) is a good alternative for beginners or those who prioritize simplicity and built-in risk protection. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and neither is regulated by the local financial regulator in Iceland. If you trade frequently or use automated strategies, choose FxOpen. If you want a straightforward, protected trading experience, choose EasyMarkets.