In a head-to-head comparison, easyMarkets and InstaForex clash over regulation depth, pricing, and platform choices, testing which setup suits different trader priorities.
easyMarkets edges InstaForex on editorial score due to stronger regulation and investor protections, segregated funds and negative balance protection, plus MT4/MT5 and a proprietary platform; InstaForex lags with offshore licensing and no compensation scheme.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you want MT4/MT5 and a proprietary platform, plus segregated funds and negative balance protection.
Choose InstaForex if…
Choose InstaForex if you want MT4 access with a $1 minimum deposit, but note there is no MT5 and no negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
easyMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.70 pips vs 1.00 pips for InstaForex, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.2 / 5 |
Pros
Fixed spreads with no-slippage guarantee on web platform
Unique dealCancellation feature to undo losing trades
Very low $25 minimum deposit
CySEC, ASIC regulated
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: easyMarkets rates 3.9/5 and InstaForex rates 3.6/5. easyMarkets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
easyMarkets starts from 0.7 pips, tighter than InstaForex's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
InstaForex has $1, while easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes InstaForex more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
easyMarkets holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, CNV, HCMC), providing stronger investor protections. InstaForex may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: InstaForex requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and easyMarkets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while InstaForex lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while InstaForex supports MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. easyMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
easyMarkets wins for safety and regulation due to CySEC and ASIC oversight plus segregated funds.
InstaForex wins for active traders thanks to 1000:1 leverage and 300 instruments.
easyMarkets is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.70 pips.
easyMarkets wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5, and a proprietary platform.
InstaForex wins for instrument variety with 300 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.8 / 5▲ | 3.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.3 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5▲ | 3.5 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2001 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Road Town, British Virgin Islands |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $25 | $1▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CNV HCMC CySEC MNB | FSC BVI CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
17+ years in operation, extensive track record
Cent accounts for micro-lot trading from $1
Very low minimum deposit
Large partner and IB network across Asia and CIS
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Fixed spreads are wider than ECN variable spread accounts
Proprietary platform feels dated compared to MT4/MT5
Limited research tools
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
FSC BVI only, offshore licence, limited investor protection
Spreads not competitive with ECN brokers
Platform limited to MT4, no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary option
Service quality reviews are mixed on independent forums
No top-tier regulatory licence
Client funds not segregated
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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