Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, comparing Admirals and InvestoPro is essential. Admirals, with a rating of 4.1/5, is a well-established broker offering deep liquidity, competitive spreads, and a robust trading environment tailored for experienced traders. InvestoPro, rated 3.8/5, is a newer entrant that focuses on simplicity and lower barriers to entry, making it appealing for those starting with smaller capital. Both brokers operate under ASIC oversight, ensuring compliance with Australian financial laws, including client money segregation and negative balance protection. When choosing between them, Australian traders should consider their trading volume, preferred platforms, and local payment options like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and regulatory expectations.
| Instrument | Admirals | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | InvestoPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | InvestoPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | InvestoPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | InvestoPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $0 | InvestoPro |
Admirals provides tighter spreads for Australian traders, especially on major forex pairs like EUR/USD (from 0.0 pips on the Zero account) and AUD/USD (from 0.2 pips). InvestoPro’s spreads are slightly wider, averaging 0.5–1.2 pips on the same pairs. For high-volume traders, Admirals’ lower spreads can lead to significant cost savings. InvestoPro offers a commission-free Standard account, but its spreads are less competitive. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees for AUD transactions, though Admirals has a small fee for bank transfer withdrawals. Overall, Admirals is more cost-effective for frequent traders.
| Account Type | Admirals | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| 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 | InvestoPro | 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+ | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), both fully customisable and supporting automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). It also provides a proprietary WebTrader for browser-based access. InvestoPro uses a proprietary platform that is user-friendly but lacks advanced charting tools and algorithmic trading capabilities. For Australian traders who rely on EAs or require in-depth technical analysis, Admirals is the stronger choice. InvestoPro’s platform is better for beginners who prefer simplicity and quick execution.
| Factor | Admirals | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | InvestoPro |
| 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 provides ECN execution with low latency and no requotes, ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. InvestoPro uses a market maker model, which can lead to slippage during volatile periods. For Australian traders trading during the Sydney session, Admirals offers faster execution speeds (under 30ms) compared to InvestoPro’s average of 50ms. Overall, Admirals’ execution quality is superior for active traders.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and InvestoPro are regulated by ASIC, offering Australian traders a high level of protection. Admirals holds an AFSL and has a longer operational history, with strict adherence to client money segregation and regular audits. InvestoPro is also ASIC-regulated, though its licence is more recent. Both brokers provide negative balance protection, ensuring traders cannot lose more than their deposited funds. For Australian traders, this regulatory framework ensures transparency and security, but Admirals’ established track record may inspire greater confidence.
| Payment Method | Admirals | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days |
Australian traders can fund their accounts using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) with both brokers. Admirals processes deposits instantly via POLi and BPAY, with no fees for AUD transactions, and a minimum deposit of AUD 200. InvestoPro has a lower minimum deposit of AUD 100, and deposits via POLi and BPAY are also instant and fee-free. Bank transfers for both brokers may take 1–2 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 1–2 days, with Admirals charging a small fee for bank transfers (AUD 10–20) while InvestoPro offers free withdrawals. Credit card withdrawals are not available for either broker.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Admirals offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Australian Muslim traders, available on request for most account types, including the Zero account, with no swap fees on overnight positions. InvestoPro also provides Islamic accounts, but only on its Standard account and with a limited selection of forex pairs. Both brokers require a declaration of faith or proof of Muslim status. Admirals’ Islamic accounts maintain competitive spreads, while InvestoPro’s may have slightly wider spreads to compensate for the lack of swap charges. Australian traders should confirm availability before opening an account.
| Support Feature | Admirals | InvestoPro | 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Australian phone lines and local business hours support. InvestoPro provides 24/5 support through live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections, but Admirals’ support is more responsive and offers faster resolution times for Australian traders. InvestoPro’s support is adequate but less comprehensive.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | InvestoPro | 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 | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose InvestoPro if you...
For Australian traders, Admirals is the superior choice overall, offering tighter spreads, advanced platforms, and a stronger regulatory history under ASIC. Its support for local payments like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, combined with fast ECN execution, makes it ideal for experienced traders. InvestoPro is a viable alternative for beginners or those with smaller capital, thanks to its lower minimum deposit and simpler platform. However, for traders prioritising cost efficiency, regulation, and performance, Admirals clearly leads. Consider your trading style and capital to make the best choice.