Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian traders evaluating their next broker, the choice between Admirals and EasyMarkets comes down to trading style and priorities. Both brokers are regulated by ASIC, ensuring strong investor protection and segregated client funds – a critical factor for local traders. Admirals, scoring 4.1/5, appeals to experienced traders with its advanced MetaTrader platforms, ECN pricing, and tight spreads on major forex pairs. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, differentiates itself with fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss orders, and a more beginner-friendly web-based platform. Australian traders can deposit using BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, or credit card, with both brokers offering AUD-denominated accounts. Whether you prioritise low-cost high-volume trading or predictable costs with added risk management tools, this comparison will help you decide which broker suits your Australian trading needs in 2025.
| Instrument | Admirals | 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 | $1 | $25 | Admirals |
Cost-conscious Australian traders will find clear differences. Admirals offers tight variable spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account plus a modest commission, ideal for active scalpers and day traders trading AUD pairs like AUD/USD. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads – typically 1.2 pips on EUR/USD – which never widen but are generally higher. For a trader executing 50 lots per month of EUR/USD, Admirals can save significant costs compared to EasyMarkets, especially when factoring in volume-based rebates. However, if you prefer all-inclusive pricing without commission surprises and trade lower volumes, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide budget certainty.
| Account Type | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader, giving Australian traders powerful charting, algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. MetaTrader 5 supports additional timeframes and asset classes. EasyMarkets offers its own intuitive web-based platform, plus mobile apps, with features like deal cancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss – tools that appeal to local beginners or those managing risk actively. For experienced Australian traders who need advanced analysis and automated trading, Admirals’ platform ecosystem is far superior. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler but lacks the depth serious traders require.
| Factor | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Admirals |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Admirals uses an ECN/STP model with direct market access, resulting in average execution speeds under 10ms and no requotes. This suits Australian scalpers and algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with fixed spreads, guaranteeing no slippage but potentially slower execution during volatile news events due to manual intervention. For Australian traders prioritising speed and transparency, Admirals’ execution is superior.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and EasyMarkets are licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – one of the most respected regulators globally. For Australian traders, this means compliance with strict financial standards, negative balance protection, and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. Client funds are held in segregated trust accounts with major Australian banks. EasyMarkets also holds additional licenses (CySEC, FCA) but its ASIC license is the key for local clients. Admirals likewise operates an Australian entity under ASIC oversight. This dual ASIC regulation provides equal security; the choice depends on features rather than regulatory safety.
| Payment Method | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 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) |
Australian traders can fund both broker accounts using BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, or credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) – all in AUD with no conversion fees. BPAY and POLi are processed instantly, making them popular for getting started quickly. Admirals offers free deposits and withdrawals via bank transfer (1-2 business days), while credit card deposits are instant but may incur a small fee (typically waived for first deposits). EasyMarkets also supports PayPal for both deposits and withdrawals, an option not available at Admirals. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at EasyMarkets and within 1 business day at Admirals. Both brokers require verification documents before processing withdrawals, ensuring compliance with Australian anti-money laundering laws.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | 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 |
Australian Muslim traders can open swap-free Islamic accounts at both Admirals and EasyMarkets. These accounts comply with Sharia law by charging no overnight interest on positions held past the trading day. EasyMarkets offers the account by request via support with no additional conditions. Admirals provides the option during account registration or by notifying customer service. Both brokers maintain standard trading conditions on Islamic accounts, though some instruments may have administrative fees in lieu of swaps (disclosed clearly). For Australian traders who require halal trading, both options are valid, with Admirals offering more advanced platform tools.
| Support Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Both brokers offer customer support in English via live chat, email, and phone during Sydney trading hours. Admirals provides 24/5 support with dedicated Australian phone numbers and a local Sydney office for in-person queries. EasyMarkets also offers 24/5 support with quick response times, but lacks local Australian office presence. For urgent trading issues, Admirals’ local support team may provide faster resolution for Australian traders.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Admirals |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Admirals |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Australian experienced traders under ASIC regulation, Admirals is the stronger choice due to its tighter spreads, superior trading platforms, and local support. The ability to use BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, or credit card in AUD makes onboarding seamless. EasyMarkets, while offering unique risk tools and fixed spreads, is better suited for beginners or those prioritising predictability over cost-efficiency. With a 4.1 vs 3.4 score, Admirals leads for active traders. However, if you value simplicity, guaranteed stop-loss, or PayPal withdrawals, EasyMarkets remains a solid ASIC-regulated alternative. Test both with a demo account to see which aligns with your trading style.