Admirals vs Tickmill: Which Broker Suits New Zealand Traders?
Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — New Zealand Traders
New Zealand traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare Admirals and Tickmill, two well-established international brokers. Admirals, founded in 2001, offers a comprehensive trading experience with over 4,000 instruments including forex, indices, commodities, and shares. Tickmill, established in 2014, focuses on low-cost trading with competitive spreads and fast execution. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, neither is regulated by a local financial regulator, meaning NZ traders must rely on offshore licensing from entities like the FCA or CySEC. This comparison helps retail traders in New Zealand evaluate which broker aligns better with their trading needs, cost expectations, and risk preferences.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs are a key differentiator between Admirals and Tickmill. Admirals offers a Zero account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot, while its Trade account has spreads from 0.5 pips with no commission. Tickmill’s Raw account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a lower commission of $2 per lot, making it cheaper for high-volume Kiwi traders. On a standard lot of EUR/USD, Tickmill’s total cost is about $2 per round turn, compared to $3 at Admirals. For NZ traders trading 10+ lots per month, these savings add up significantly.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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+ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 widely used by New Zealand traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. Admirals also provides its proprietary WebTrader platform and a mobile app, plus access to TradingCentral analysis tools. Tickmill focuses on MT4/MT5 with no proprietary platform, but offers cTrader on some account types. For NZ traders who value platform variety, Admirals has the edge. However, for those who prefer the simplicity and speed of MT4/MT5, both brokers deliver excellent performance.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 |
Both brokers offer fast execution with no requotes, but Tickmill is known for its ultra-low latency and average execution speed of 0.2 seconds, ideal for scalping NZ traders. Admirals also provides excellent execution with speeds under 0.5 seconds and uses multiple liquidity providers. For high-frequency traders in New Zealand, Tickmill’s slightly faster execution and lower slippage are notable advantages. Both brokers use ECN/STP models, ensuring transparency and minimal conflict of interest.
Regulation & Safety for New Zealand Traders
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and other international bodies, while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and the FSA (Seychelles). Neither broker holds a license from a local financial regulator in New Zealand. For NZ traders, this means they are not covered by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) dispute resolution scheme. However, both brokers offer negative balance protection and client fund segregation with top-tier banks. NZ traders should consider the regulatory strength of each broker: Admirals’ FCA regulation provides robust protection, while Tickmill’s FCA and FSA licenses offer a solid but slightly lower level of oversight.
Deposits & Withdrawals for New Zealand
| Payment Method | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
New Zealand traders can fund their accounts at both Admirals and Tickmill using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Admirals also accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, and UnionPay, while Tickmill adds Sticpay, Fasapay, and Bitcoin. Minimum deposits are low: $100 at Admirals and $25 at Tickmill for most methods. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT TRC20, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Neither broker charges deposit fees, but NZ traders should check with their bank for any incoming wire charges. USDT TRC20 is particularly popular among Kiwis for its speed and low cost.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for New Zealand Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. These accounts do not charge or pay swap interest on overnight positions, in compliance with Sharia law. Admirals provides Islamic accounts on request and allows trading on most instruments, though some may have restrictions. Tickmill also offers swap-free accounts with clear terms and no hidden fees. NZ traders must contact support to activate this account type. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts are available for all retail clients, making them suitable for Kiwi Muslim traders seeking ethical trading options.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated support for New Zealand traders in English. Tickmill provides 24/5 support with live chat, email, and phone, also in English. Both brokers respond quickly, but Admirals’ round-the-clock availability is better for NZ traders who trade during off-hours or need weekend assistance. Tickmill’s support is efficient but limited to trading hours. Overall, Admirals has a slight edge in support accessibility for Kiwis.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Admirals
Tickmill
Who Should Use Which Broker? - New Zealand Guide
Choose Admirals if you...
- Want access to over 4,000 instruments including global shares and ETFs.
- Prefer a broker with strong FCA regulation and a long track record.
- Value educational resources and trading tools like TradingCentral.
- Need 24/7 customer support and a proprietary web platform.
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a cost-conscious trader seeking the lowest spreads and commissions.
- Focus on scalping or high-frequency trading with fast execution.
- Prefer a low minimum deposit ($25) and simple account setup.
- Want a broker with a strong reputation for transparency and low trading costs.
FAQ - Admirals vs Tickmill in New Zealand
Final Verdict - New Zealand 2026
For New Zealand traders, the choice between Admirals and Tickmill depends on trading style and priorities. Admirals offers a broader product range, better educational tools, and 24/7 support, making it ideal for retail traders who value variety and guidance. Tickmill excels in cost efficiency with lower spreads and faster execution, suiting scalpers and high-volume traders. Both support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and neither is regulated by a local financial regulator. Ultimately, Admirals edges ahead for versatility, while Tickmill wins for affordability. NZ traders should test both with demo accounts to see which fits their strategy best.