Admirals vs Forex.com 2026: New Zealand Trader Comparison
Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — New Zealand Traders
For New Zealand traders, choosing the right forex broker is critical for success. Admirals and Forex.com are two globally recognised brokers, but they differ significantly in features and costs. Admirals scores 4.1/5 in our review, outperforming Forex.com's 3.4/5. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Both brokers accept New Zealand residents under international licenses from the FCA, CySEC, and CFTC, providing a secure trading environment. Admirals stands out with lower trading costs and better NZ-tailored support, making it a preferred choice for retail traders in New Zealand.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Admirals | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Forex.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Forex.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Forex.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Forex.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
Admirals offers competitive spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero account, while Forex.com's standard account starts at 1.0 pips. For a New Zealand trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Admirals can save hundreds of NZD annually. Forex.com's raw spread account is closer but still slightly higher overall. Swap rates also favour Admirals for long-term positions. When comparing total trading costs, Admirals provides better value for New Zealand traders.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Admirals | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - New Zealand Traders
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:50 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | Admirals | Forex.com | 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+ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Admirals | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among New Zealand traders for their advanced charting and automation. Admirals additionally provides a custom WebTrader with enhanced features. Forex.com's proprietary platform is user-friendly but less flexible. For New Zealand traders who value third-party tools and EA support, Admirals has the advantage.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Admirals | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| 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 straight-through processing (STP) without a dealing desk, ensuring fast execution and minimal requotes. Forex.com operates a market maker model, which can lead to slippage during volatile market conditions. For New Zealand traders executing large orders, Admirals provides more reliable fills and better price stability.
Regulation & Safety for New Zealand Traders
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals is regulated by the UK's FCA and Cyprus's CySEC, while Forex.com is regulated by the FCA and US CFTC. Neither is directly regulated by the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA), but both meet international standards for fund segregation and negative balance protection. For New Zealand traders, this ensures client funds are safe and disputes can be escalated to reputable regulators.
Deposits & Withdrawals for New Zealand
| Payment Method | Admirals | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 1 to 3 business days |
New Zealand traders can deposit using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Admirals processes bank transfers for free, while Forex.com may charge a small fee (typically waived for larger deposits). E-wallet deposits are instant with no fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for Skrill and Neteller, and 1-2 business days for bank transfers. USDT withdrawals are also fast and low-cost. Both brokers support NZD deposits via these methods, making them convenient for local traders.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for New Zealand Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Admirals and Forex.com offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. Admirals requires a simple request to support, after which the account is activated. Forex.com allows direct selection during account setup. Terms are similar – no overnight interest on positions, though holding periods may be limited. Admirals' process is slightly more straightforward for New Zealand clients.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Admirals | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals offers 24/5 live chat and email support in English, with phone support during market hours. Forex.com provides 24/7 live chat and phone support. Both have direct contact options for New Zealand traders. Response times are comparable, but Admirals' support team is more responsive for account-specific queries.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Forex.com | 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | Admirals | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Admirals
Forex.com
Who Should Use Which Broker? - New Zealand Guide
Choose Admirals if you...
- want lower spreads and trading costs for high-volume trading.
- prefer MetaTrader 4/5 with advanced tools and EA support.
- need local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20.
- value a higher overall rating and better NZ-specific support.
Choose Forex.com if you...
- prefer a well-known brand with extensive regulatory history.
- require 24/7 customer support.
- want a wide selection of base currencies beyond USD.
- are comfortable with a market maker execution model.
FAQ - Admirals vs Forex.com in New Zealand
Final Verdict - New Zealand 2026
For New Zealand traders, Admirals clearly outperforms Forex.com with a higher rating, lower trading costs, and robust local payment support including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. While both brokers are regulated internationally and accept New Zealand clients, Admirals offers a more tailored experience with better spreads and platform flexibility. Forex.com remains a solid alternative, but Admirals is the recommended choice for most retail traders in New Zealand.