Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore, as a global financial hub, demands forex brokers that combine tight spreads, robust regulation, and local payment convenience. Admirals and Oanda are two well-established brokers serving Singapore traders, each with distinct strengths. Admirals, scoring 4.1/5, is known for its comprehensive platform suite, competitive raw spreads, and strong educational resources. Oanda, with a 3.6/5 rating, stands out for its transparent pricing, extensive historical data, and advanced charting tools. Both brokers are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), ensuring high standards of client fund protection and operational integrity. This comparison explores how each broker meets the needs of sophisticated Singapore investors, focusing on local trading costs, deposit methods like PayNow and Bank Transfer, and the overall trading experience in the Singapore dollar (SGD) environment.
| Instrument | Admirals | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Oanda |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Oanda |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Oanda |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Oanda |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $0 | Oanda |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for high-volume strategies. Admirals offers a clear advantage with raw spread accounts starting from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD, plus a commission of SGD 3 per lot. Oanda's spreads are variable and typically wider, averaging 1.0 pip on EUR/USD with no commission. Over 100 lots per month, Admirals saves approximately SGD 200 in spread costs compared to Oanda. However, Oanda's no-commission model may be simpler for smaller traders. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees for SGD accounts, making them competitive for local traders.
| Account Type | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:100 |
| 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 | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Oanda |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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, offering flexibility for Singapore traders who use automated strategies or prefer custom indicators. Oanda offers its own web-based platform, MetaTrader 4, and TradingView integration, which is popular among sophisticated investors for its advanced charting and social trading features. Both platforms are available in English and support SGD as a base currency. For Singapore traders who value algorithmic trading, Admirals' MT5 support is a key advantage, while Oanda's platform excels in data analysis and research tools.
| Factor | Admirals | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Oanda |
| 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 a hybrid execution model with no dealing desk (NDD) and no requotes, offering fast execution speeds averaging 30ms on major pairs. Oanda uses a market maker model with no requotes, but execution speeds are slightly slower at around 50ms. For Singapore traders who trade high-frequency or scalping strategies, Admirals' lower latency and NDD model provide a clear advantage. Oanda's execution is reliable but better suited for medium- to long-term trading.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and Oanda are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), providing a high level of security for local traders. MAS requires brokers to maintain segregated client accounts, adhere to strict capital adequacy ratios, and submit regular audits. Admirals holds a Capital Markets Services (CMS) license from MAS, while Oanda is licensed as a Major Payment Institution. This regulatory oversight ensures that Singapore traders' funds are protected and that brokers operate transparently. Additionally, both brokers are members of the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), offering local dispute resolution.
| Payment Method | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds in SGD is straightforward with both brokers. Admirals supports PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits, with no fees and instant processing for PayNow. Minimum deposit via PayNow is SGD 100. Oanda accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits, but does not offer PayNow; minimum deposit is SGD 0 for bank transfers. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for both brokers, with no fees for SGD bank transfers. For Singapore traders who prefer the convenience of PayNow, Admirals is the better option, while Oanda's no-minimum deposit policy appeals to those starting small.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Oanda offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders, complying with Sharia law that prohibits interest (riba). Admirals provides a dedicated Islamic account with no swap fees on overnight positions, available on all account types. Oanda also offers swap-free accounts upon request, though it may require a minimum deposit and is subject to approval. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts do not incur hidden fees, making them suitable for long-term position traders. Singapore Muslim traders can trade forex with confidence in both brokers' compliance.
| Support Feature | Admirals | Oanda | 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 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Singapore clients during local business hours. Oanda provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with phone support available during market hours. Both brokers have detailed FAQ sections and educational resources in English. Admirals' local phone line and faster response times give it a slight edge for Singapore traders who need immediate assistance.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Oanda | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Oanda |
| Resource | Admirals | Oanda | 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 Oanda if you...
For Singapore traders, Admirals emerges as the stronger choice overall, thanks to its tighter spreads, PayNow support, and higher Trustpilot rating. It is particularly suited for active traders and those who prioritise low costs and local payment convenience. Oanda remains a solid alternative for traders who value transparent pricing, robust research tools, and no minimum deposit. Both brokers are MAS-regulated, ensuring safety. If you trade high volumes or use automated strategies, Admirals is likely the better fit. For data-driven traders who prefer a simple, commission-free model, Oanda is worth considering.