Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When choosing between FXTM and Oanda for forex trading in Cyprus, local traders must consider factors like regulation by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), deposit methods, and trading costs. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, is a well-established broker with a strong presence in Cyprus, offering a wide range of account types, including ECN and Standard accounts, and supporting popular local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is a global broker known for its advanced trading tools and transparent pricing, but it has fewer tailored features for Cyprus residents, such as limited e-wallet support. Both brokers are regulated by CySEC, ensuring client fund segregation and negative balance protection under EU MiFID II rules. For Cypriot retail traders, FXTM stands out for its local office, Greek language support, and competitive spreads, while Oanda appeals to those seeking a no-frills, technology-driven platform. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading needs in Cyprus.
| Instrument | FXTM | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Oanda |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Oanda |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Oanda |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Oanda |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 | Oanda |
For Cyprus traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those trading frequently. FXTM offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips on its ECN accounts with a commission of $7 per lot round turn, while Standard accounts have spreads from 1.3 pips with no commission. Oanda's spreads are variable, averaging 0.8-1.2 pips for EUR/USD, with no commission on standard accounts. For a Cypriot trader executing 10 lots per month, FXTM's ECN account could save up to $50 in costs compared to Oanda. Additionally, FXTM has no deposit fees for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20, while Oanda may charge for certain withdrawal methods. Overall, FXTM is more cost-effective for active traders in Cyprus.
| Account Type | FXTM | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:100 |
| 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 | FXTM | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Oanda |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer robust platforms for Cyprus traders, but FXTM provides more localized options. FXTM supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), available in Greek, with advanced charting tools and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). Oanda offers its proprietary platform, Oanda Trade, along with MT4, but lacks MT5 support. For Cypriot traders who prefer mobile trading, FXTM's MT5 app is optimized for local internet speeds and offers one-click trading. Oanda's platform is known for its user-friendly interface and advanced order types, but it may not be as familiar to traders accustomed to MetaTrader. FXTM's platform choice is better suited for Cyprus retail traders.
| Factor | FXTM | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Oanda |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FXTM offers fast execution speeds averaging 40-60 milliseconds on its ECN accounts, suitable for scalpers and day traders in Cyprus. Oanda's execution is also reliable, with speeds around 50-80 milliseconds, but it lacks dedicated execution servers in the region. For Cyprus traders, FXTM's execution is slightly better due to its local infrastructure and no requotes policy on most accounts.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is paramount for Cyprus traders, and both FXTM and Oanda are regulated by the local financial regulator, CySEC. FXTM is licensed under CySEC license number 185/12, ensuring strict compliance with EU MiFID II directives, including client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000. Oanda is also CySEC-regulated with license number 257/19, offering similar protections. For Cyprus traders, this means both brokers provide a safe trading environment, but FXTM's longer history with CySEC and local office in Limassol gives it an edge in terms of customer support and regulatory trust.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. | 1 to 5 business days |
Cyprus traders will find FXTM more accommodating for deposits and withdrawals. FXTM supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, all with instant processing and no fees for deposits. Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 business days for bank transfers. Oanda, on the other hand, only accepts Bank Transfer and major credit/debit cards, with no support for Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20. This is a significant limitation for Cypriot traders who prefer fast, low-cost e-wallet or cryptocurrency transactions. FXTM's diverse payment methods make it the better choice for local traders seeking flexibility and speed.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Cyprus, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts, but with differences. FXTM provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Standard and ECN, with no swap fees on overnight positions and no administrative charges. Oanda offers Islamic accounts on request but only for standard accounts, and may charge a fee after a holding period (e.g., 10 days). FXTM's policy is more favorable for Cypriot Muslim traders who trade long-term or hold positions overnight, as it eliminates swap costs entirely. Oanda's approach may be less appealing for those requiring consistent swap-free trading.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
Customer support for Cyprus traders is stronger with FXTM, which offers Greek-speaking support via phone, email, and live chat, along with a local office in Limassol. Oanda also provides multilingual support but lacks a physical presence in Cyprus, relying on global teams. FXTM's support is available 24/5, with faster response times for local queries, making it more accessible for Cypriot retail traders.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | Oanda |
| Resource | FXTM | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Oanda if you...
For Cyprus traders, FXTM is the clear winner with a 4.3/5 rating, offering better value through local CySEC regulation, diverse deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and competitive spreads on ECN accounts. Its Islamic account options and Greek language support further enhance its appeal. Oanda, with a 3.6/5 rating, is a solid alternative for traders who prioritize platform technology and transparent pricing, but its limited payment methods and lack of local presence make it less suitable for most Cypriot retail traders. If you trade actively or need flexible deposits, choose FXTM; if you prefer a minimalist platform, Oanda may suffice.