Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Norwegian retail traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025 often compare InstaForex and EasyMarkets due to their global presence and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. InstaForex, with a score of 3.7/5, is known for its diverse account types and low minimum deposits, appealing to both beginners and experienced traders in Norway. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, attracts traders with its fixed spreads and user-friendly platform, ideal for those who prefer predictable trading costs. However, neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, meaning Norwegian traders must rely on offshore oversight. This comparison examines trading costs, platforms, deposit options, and regulatory considerations to help you choose the best broker for your needs in the Norwegian market.
| Instrument | InstaForex | 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 | $1 | $25 | InstaForex |
When comparing trading costs for Norwegian traders, InstaForex offers variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on ECN accounts, while EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads averaging 1.5 pips on major pairs. For a standard lot trade of EUR/USD, InstaForex’s variable spreads can be significantly lower during high liquidity periods, reducing costs for active Norwegian traders. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads eliminate surprise widening during news events, which is beneficial for those trading volatile pairs like USD/NOK. Overall, InstaForex is more cost-effective for high-volume traders, while EasyMarkets suits those who prioritize cost stability over potential savings.
| Account Type | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | InstaForex |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | InstaForex |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | InstaForex |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
InstaForex provides the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, along with its proprietary web trader, offering advanced charting and automated trading tools that Norwegian traders appreciate. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, which are intuitive but lack the depth of MetaTrader for algorithmic trading. For Norwegian traders who rely on expert advisors or custom indicators, InstaForex’s MetaTrader support is a clear advantage. EasyMarkets’ platform is better suited for manual traders who value simplicity and built-in risk management features like deal cancellation.
| Factor | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | InstaForex |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
InstaForex uses a market execution model with no requotes on ECN accounts, providing fast order execution for Norwegian traders. EasyMarkets employs a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which prevents slippage but may result in slower execution during volatile periods. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Norway, InstaForex’s execution is superior, while EasyMarkets is better for traders who prioritize order certainty over speed.
| Safety Factor | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FSC BVI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither InstaForex nor EasyMarkets is regulated by the local financial regulator in Norway, which means Norwegian traders are not covered by the Norwegian Investor Compensation Scheme. InstaForex is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize, while EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). CySEC regulation offers some investor protection under EU frameworks, but this does not extend to Norway post-Brexit. Norwegian traders should consider using smaller deposits and conducting due diligence before trading with either broker.
| Payment Method | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 2 to 6 business days | 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) |
Norwegian traders can deposit and withdraw funds at both InstaForex and EasyMarkets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. InstaForex processes e-wallet and crypto deposits instantly with no fees, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. EasyMarkets also supports these methods but has a higher minimum deposit of $100 compared to InstaForex’s $1. USDT TRC20 is particularly efficient for both brokers, offering near-instant transactions with low network fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets at InstaForex, while EasyMarkets may take up to 48 hours. Both brokers require account verification before processing withdrawals, so Norwegian traders should complete KYC procedures promptly.
| Islamic Account Feature | InstaForex | 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 InstaForex and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Norwegian Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying overnight interest. InstaForex provides Islamic accounts upon request for all account types, including ECN and standard accounts, with no additional fees. EasyMarkets automatically applies swap-free status to accounts from certain regions, including Norway, and offers a free Islamic account option. Neither broker charges hidden fees on these accounts, making them suitable for Sharia-compliant trading in Norway. However, Norwegian traders should confirm the terms with each broker’s support team before opening an account.
| Support Feature | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | InstaForex |
InstaForex offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English-language support available for Norwegian traders. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support with live chat and phone, but weekend support is limited. Both brokers have responsive teams, but InstaForex’s round-the-clock availability is advantageous for Norwegian traders who trade during non-standard hours. EasyMarkets offers a more personalized service with dedicated account managers for higher-tier clients.
| Mobile Feature | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | InstaForex |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | InstaForex |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | InstaForex |
Choose InstaForex if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Norwegian retail traders in 2025, InstaForex (score 3.7/5) edges out EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) due to its lower trading costs, broader platform support, and flexible deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. InstaForex is ideal for active traders who want to minimize costs and use advanced tools, while EasyMarkets suits risk-averse traders who prefer fixed spreads and guaranteed stops. However, neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, so Norwegian traders should trade cautiously and use only funds they can afford to lose. Ultimately, InstaForex offers better value for most Norwegian traders, but EasyMarkets remains a solid choice for those prioritizing predictability and simplicity.