Which broker is better for Zambia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Zambia retail traders seeking a reliable forex broker often compare Oanda and EasyMarkets due to their global reputation and support for local payment methods. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is a US-based broker known for its advanced trading tools and competitive variable spreads, making it suitable for active traders who monitor costs closely. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is a Cyprus-based broker that prioritizes simplicity with fixed spreads and a user-friendly platform, appealing to beginners and those who prefer predictable trading costs. Both brokers accept Zambia clients and are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a degree of oversight. They also support deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, which are commonly used in Zambia. This comparison examines trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you choose the best broker for your trading style in 2025.
| 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 Zambia traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability, especially for high-volume forex traders. Oanda offers variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD with no commission on standard accounts, while EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on the same pair. Oanda’s spreads can widen during volatile markets, but for consistent trading, its lower average cost benefits active traders. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads eliminate surprise widening, ideal for traders who prioritize cost certainty. On a monthly volume of $100,000, Oanda’s lower spreads could save approximately $50 compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets charges a small markup on some instruments, so always compare total costs for your preferred 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia (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 offers its proprietary platform, Oanda Trade, along with MT4 and MT5, providing advanced charting, automated trading, and over 100 technical indicators. This suits Zambia traders who require robust analysis tools for forex and CFDs. EasyMarkets provides its own web-based platform and mobile app, which is intuitive and includes features like DealCancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss orders. While EasyMarkets lacks MT4/MT5, its simplicity helps beginners in Zambia avoid complexity. Both platforms are available in English and work well on standard internet connections in Zambia.
| 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 straight-through processing, ensuring fast order execution with minimal slippage, even during high volatility. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to slightly slower execution but eliminates requotes for most orders. For Zambia traders trading major pairs during peak hours, Oanda’s execution is generally faster and more reliable, while EasyMarkets’ model suits those who prefer price certainty over 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 in Zambia, which provides a baseline level of investor protection. Oanda also holds licenses from top-tier regulators like the FCA (UK) and CFTC (US), offering additional security. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), ensuring compliance with European and Australian standards. For Zambia traders, the local regulator’s oversight means both brokers must adhere to local rules, including client fund segregation. However, Oanda’s stronger global regulatory framework may appeal to those who prioritize extra safety, while EasyMarkets’ multiple licenses still provide solid protection.
| 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) |
Zambia traders can fund accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, all of which are commonly used locally. Oanda also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, while EasyMarkets adds local mobile money options like Airtel Money and MTN Mobile Money. Deposits via USDT TRC20 are processed instantly with minimal fees, making them a fast and cost-effective choice for crypto users. Skrill and Neteller deposits are also instant but may incur a 1-2% fee. Bank transfers are free but take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals follow similar methods: EasyMarkets processes within 1-2 days, while Oanda takes 2-5 days. Minimum deposits are $50 for Oanda and $25 for EasyMarkets, making EasyMarkets more accessible for smaller accounts.
| 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 Zambia who require compliance with Sharia law. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight interest on positions held beyond one day. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts automatically upon request with no extra fees, while Oanda requires a formal application and approval, which may take a few days. EasyMarkets also allows unlimited holding periods, whereas Oanda may restrict swap-free status to 30 days for certain account types. For Zambia’s Muslim trading community, EasyMarkets offers a more straightforward and flexible Islamic account option.
| 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 provides 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English-speaking agents available. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support as well, but also includes a 24/7 live chat feature for basic queries. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections, but EasyMarkets’ 24/7 chat is more convenient for Zambia traders in different time zones. Response times are similar, averaging under 5 minutes for live chat.
| 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 Zambia retail traders, Oanda (3.6/5) edges out EasyMarkets (3.4/5) due to its lower variable spreads, advanced platform options, and stronger global regulation. However, EasyMarkets is a strong contender for beginners and those who prioritize simplicity, fixed costs, and faster withdrawals. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making them accessible for Zambia traders. If you trade frequently and need professional tools, Oanda is the better choice. If you value predictable pricing and ease of use, EasyMarkets is a reliable alternative. Always verify current offerings with the local financial regulator before committing.