Which broker is better for Ireland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Ireland-based retail traders, choosing between Global Prime and EasyMarkets depends on trading style and experience. Global Prime, with a 3.6/5 rating, is favored for its low-cost trading and advanced execution, while EasyMarkets (3.4/5) appeals to beginners with fixed spreads and a user-friendly interface. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, providing a secure environment for Irish clients. This comparison focuses on key factors for Ireland traders: deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, as well as local regulatory oversight. Whether you trade EUR/USD or indices, understanding these differences helps you pick the right broker for your needs.
| Instrument | Global Prime | 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 | $0 | $25 | Global Prime |
For Ireland traders, trading costs are a critical factor. Global Prime offers variable spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs with a small commission, making it cost-effective for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, which are higher on EUR/USD (around 1.2 pips) but predictable for smaller accounts. Over 100 trades per month, Global Prime can save Irish traders significantly on spreads, especially when trading in USD.
| Account Type | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland (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 | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Global Prime |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | Global Prime |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Global Prime |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime provides MetaTrader 4 and cTrader, ideal for Ireland traders who need advanced charting and algorithmic trading. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and mobile app, which is simpler and includes risk management tools like dealCancellation. Both platforms are available in English and support fast execution.
| Factor | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Global Prime |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Global Prime uses low-latency execution with no dealing desk intervention, suitable for scalpers in Ireland. EasyMarkets offers market execution with fixed spreads, but may have occasional requotes during volatile news events. For fast execution, Global Prime is superior.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Global Prime and EasyMarkets are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring compliance with Irish financial laws. This means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection applies. For Ireland traders, this regulatory oversight adds confidence, especially when using local payment methods like Bank Transfer or e-wallets.
| Payment Method | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. | 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) |
Ireland traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Global Prime processes withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets, while EasyMarkets offers same-day processing for Skrill and Neteller. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are crypto-based and fast, with no extra fees from the brokers. Minimum deposits start at $200 for Global Prime and $100 for EasyMarkets, making both accessible.
| Islamic Account Feature | Global Prime | 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 Global Prime and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Ireland traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. These accounts eliminate overnight interest on positions, with no additional fees. Traders must request this account type during registration, and it is available for all account currencies, including USD.
| Support Feature | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Global Prime |
Global Prime provides 24/5 live chat and email support in English, with fast response times. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, plus a dedicated account manager for Irish clients. Both are responsive, but EasyMarkets’ phone support is a plus for local traders.
| Mobile Feature | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Global Prime |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Global Prime |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | ✗ | 50+ videos | EasyMarkets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Global Prime |
Choose Global Prime if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Ireland traders, the choice between Global Prime and EasyMarkets hinges on trading style. Global Prime is the better option for cost-conscious, active traders who need low spreads and fast execution, especially when using advanced platforms. EasyMarkets suits beginners or those who prefer fixed costs and simpler tools. Both are regulated by the local financial regulator and accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Ultimately, Global Prime’s higher score (3.6 vs 3.4) and tighter spreads give it an edge for most Irish retail traders.