Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For United Kingdom traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025, Oanda and EasyMarkets are two established FCA-regulated options. Oanda holds a CompareBroker score of 3.6/5, while EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5, reflecting differences in trading costs, platform features, and account flexibility. Both brokers accept GBP deposits and support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, making them accessible for UK-based retail and professional traders. This comparison examines key factors such as spreads, regulation, and deposit options to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local requirements.
| 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 |
For UK traders, trading costs are a critical differentiator. Oanda offers variable spreads from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, which benefit high-volume traders who execute multiple trades daily. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 1.5-2.0 pips on major pairs, providing cost predictability but at a higher average cost. Oanda also charges a competitive commission on certain account types, while EasyMarkets includes all costs in the spread. Over a month of active trading, a UK trader could save 20-30% on spreads with Oanda, especially on GBP/USD pairs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (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 its proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, and TradingView integration, all accessible in GBP. UK traders benefit from advanced charting tools and algorithmic trading capabilities. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, plus TradingView compatibility, but lacks MetaTrader. For UK traders who value custom indicators and automated strategies, Oanda's platform suite is superior. EasyMarkets' platform is simpler and more beginner-friendly, with built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation.
| 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 No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with direct market access, offering fast fills and low slippage on major pairs. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker, providing instant execution with guaranteed stop-loss orders and no requotes. For UK traders trading volatile pairs like GBP/USD during London open, Oanda's NDD model may offer better pricing, while EasyMarkets' fixed spreads and guaranteed stops suit risk-averse strategies.
| 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 Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, ensuring strict compliance with UK financial laws. This means UK traders' funds are held in segregated accounts and protected under the FCA's client money rules. Additionally, UK clients have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per broker. This dual FCA regulation provides a high level of security for UK residents, making both brokers trustworthy choices.
| 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) |
UK traders can fund their accounts at both Oanda and EasyMarkets using Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments. Oanda also accepts debit/credit cards, while EasyMarkets additionally supports Neteller. Deposits via Faster Payments and PayPal are processed instantly, ideal for traders needing quick access to markets. Withdrawals at Oanda are typically processed within 1-2 business days via the same method, while EasyMarkets processes withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets. Both brokers charge no fees for deposits or withdrawals in GBP, making them cost-effective for UK traders.
| 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 |
For UK Muslim traders requiring Sharia-compliant accounts, both Oanda and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) options. EasyMarkets provides a dedicated Islamic account with no overnight swap or rollover fees on any instrument. Oanda offers swap-free accounts upon request, subject to FCA compliance and eligibility criteria. UK traders should confirm the availability of Islamic accounts with each broker's support team, as terms may vary. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged or earned, aligning with Islamic finance principles.
| 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 phone, email, and live chat, with a UK-based team available during London trading hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, also with a UK office. Both brokers respond quickly, but EasyMarkets edges ahead with slightly faster live chat response times. UK traders can expect professional assistance in English from both.
| 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 UK traders, Oanda is the stronger choice overall, scoring 3.6/5 versus EasyMarkets' 3.4/5, thanks to lower spreads, advanced platform options, and NDD execution. However, EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads and guaranteed stops, which may appeal to risk-averse or beginner traders. Both are FCA-regulated and support GBP accounts with local payment methods like Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments. If cost efficiency and platform flexibility are your priorities, choose Oanda. If simplicity and risk management are key, EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for United Kingdom traders.