Which broker is better for Ireland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Ireland, choosing between Oanda and EasyMarkets can shape your entire trading experience. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is known for its raw spreads, powerful platforms, and deep liquidity, making it a favourite among active traders who prioritise low costs and advanced charting. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, offers fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and a user-friendly interface that appeals to beginners and those who value predictable costs. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, giving Ireland traders peace of mind. Whether you trade from Dublin or Galway, your choice will depend on your style: Oanda for flexibility and tight spreads, EasyMarkets for simplicity and risk control. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 to help you decide.
| Instrument | Oanda | 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 | Oanda |
When comparing trading costs for Ireland traders, Oanda generally offers lower raw spreads, starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD with a commission of around $5 per lot. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. For high-volume traders in Ireland, Oanda’s variable spreads can be significantly cheaper, especially during liquid market hours. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect you from widening during volatile news events, which can be valuable for risk-averse traders. Always consider your trading volume and style when evaluating costs.
| Account Type | Oanda | 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 | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 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 | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Oanda |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Oanda |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Oanda |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda provides the advanced TradingView platform, its own proprietary Oanda Trade platform, and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), all of which offer extensive charting tools, indicators, and automated trading capabilities. This suits Ireland traders who need powerful analysis and customisation. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web platform, mobile app, and TradingView integration, focusing on simplicity with features like dealCancellation and guaranteed stop-loss. For Ireland traders who want a straightforward experience without sacrificing essential tools, EasyMarkets’ platform is easier to learn, while Oanda caters to those who demand depth and flexibility.
| Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Oanda |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Oanda uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with access to deep liquidity pools, offering fast execution with minimal slippage. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which prevents slippage on stops but may result in requotes during volatile periods. For Ireland traders who prioritise speed and raw spreads, Oanda’s execution is generally better. EasyMarkets is ideal for those who value guaranteed risk management over pure speed.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Oanda and EasyMarkets are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring that Ireland traders receive strong investor protection, including negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Oanda also holds licences from the FCA, CFTC, and ASIC, giving it a broader regulatory footprint. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and the FSA, with additional oversight from the local regulator for Ireland. This means both brokers meet high standards for transparency and security. Ireland traders can trade confidently knowing their funds are safe and complaints can be escalated locally.
| Payment Method | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 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) |
Ireland traders can fund their accounts at both Oanda and EasyMarkets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Oanda also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, while EasyMarkets adds credit cards and local bank transfers. Deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 are usually instant and free, while Bank Transfers may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and crypto, with no fees from the brokers. Oanda has no minimum deposit, making it accessible for smaller accounts, whereas EasyMarkets requires a $100 minimum. Both brokers support EUR deposits, which is convenient for Ireland traders to avoid conversion fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | 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 Oanda and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Ireland, in compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward swap-free account that can be opened upon request, with no additional fees or conditions. Oanda also offers Islamic accounts but requires traders to contact customer support to activate the feature. There are no restrictions on trading instruments or strategies for Islamic accounts at either broker. This makes both options viable for Ireland’s Muslim community, though EasyMarkets’ process is slightly more seamless.
| Support Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
Oanda offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated support for Ireland traders in English. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, plus a callback service. Both brokers have responsive teams, but Oanda’s support is slightly more knowledgeable for technical platform issues. Ireland traders can expect quick resolutions from either broker, though EasyMarkets’ callback feature adds convenience for those who prefer phone support.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Oanda |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Oanda |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Resource | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Oanda |
Choose Oanda if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Ireland retail traders, Oanda (3.6) wins on spreads, platform depth, and flexibility, making it the better choice for active traders who want to minimise costs and maximise analysis. EasyMarkets (3.4) excels with fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and a simpler experience, ideal for beginners or those who dislike spread surprises. Both are regulated by the local financial regulator and support local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. If you trade often and value raw spreads, go with Oanda. If you prefer predictable costs and strong risk management, EasyMarkets is your pick. Test both with demo accounts to see which fits your style.