easyMarkets and tastytrade face off over regulation strength, platform depth, and cost transparency. The tensions center on risk controls versus options-focused cost efficiency.
tastytrade edges easyMarkets on the editorial score. The higher overall score reflects stronger Trust & Regulation and Platforms & Tools metrics.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you value MT4/MT5 access. You benefit from 24/5 live chat support and negative balance protection.
Choose tastytrade if…
Choose tastytrade if you want advanced charting tools. You access 10,000 instruments and there is no live chat support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
easyMarkets offers spreads from 0.70 pips.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.5 / 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 | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: easyMarkets rates 3.9/5 and tastytrade rates 4.3/5. tastytrade 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. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
tastytrade has no minimum deposit, while easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes tastytrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets and tastytrade hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: tastytrade has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, 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. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for easyMarkets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. easyMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
tastytrade leads for safety and regulation with higher trust score and segregated client funds.
tastytrade wins for active traders with a platform built for options and capped commissions.
easyMarkets wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 and a proprietary platform.
easyMarkets is best for beginners due to a low $25 minimum and fixed spreads.
tastytrade offers 10,000 instruments, far exceeding easyMarkets 200.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2001 | 2017 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $25 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | N/A |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $1/lot |
|---|
| N/A | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | N/A |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC HCMC CySEC CNV MNB | CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| 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
Options commissions capped at $10/leg, major cost advantage for traders who size up
$0 to open options trades; $1/contract to close
Platform built natively for options: IVR, Greeks, curve tool, and multi-leg management all first-class
Futures and futures options on the same account as equity derivatives
No PFOF on options, exchange-routed for best execution
Part of IG Group (LSE-listed), institutional governance and financial stability
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
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
US-only, no international accounts
Options-first interface has a steep learning curve for equity-focused traders
No live chat support, phone and email only
Minimal fundamental research tools; no stock screener or analyst reports
Mobile app less appropriate for entering complex multi-leg strategies than the desktop platform
No negative balance protection
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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