AvaTrade vs EasyMarkets: Which Broker is Best for New Zealand Traders in 2026?
Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — New Zealand Traders
New Zealand traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025 often compare AvaTrade and EasyMarkets due to their global presence and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. AvaTrade, with a 4.6/5 rating, stands out for its extensive regulatory oversight from multiple tier-1 bodies (e.g., Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC) and a robust suite of trading platforms. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, appeals to newer traders with its fixed spreads and risk-management features, but its limited platform selection and higher costs make it less suitable for active NZ forex traders. Both brokers offer NZD pairs and accept NZ residents, but their differing approaches to execution, spreads, and account types suit different trading styles. This comparison will help Kiwi traders choose the right broker based on their specific needs, from deposit methods to regulation.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | AvaTrade | 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 | $100 | $25 | AvaTrade |
When comparing trading costs for New Zealand traders, AvaTrade’s variable spreads offer a clear advantage, with EUR/USD averaging 0.9 pips compared to EasyMarkets’ fixed 1.2 pips. For NZD pairs like NZD/USD, AvaTrade’s spreads can drop to 0.7 pips during liquid hours, while EasyMarkets holds a fixed 1.0–1.3 pip spread. For high-volume NZ traders, AvaTrade’s lower per-trade cost can save significantly over months. EasyMarkets also charges a small commission on some account types, while AvaTrade includes spreads only. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide predictability, which may benefit part-time traders who trade during volatile news events.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 |
Leverage Comparison - New Zealand Traders
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
New Zealand traders will appreciate AvaTrade’s platform diversity, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO (mobile), and WebTrader, all compatible with NZ trading hours. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web and mobile platforms as well as TradingView integration, but lacks MT4/5 support. For algorithmic traders, AvaTrade’s MT4/5 allow custom EAs and copy trading via DupliTrade, while EasyMarkets’ limited platform options restrict automation. Kiwi traders who use advanced charting or automated strategies will prefer AvaTrade; those wanting simplicity may find EasyMarkets’ interface adequate.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
AvaTrade uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with variable spreads, offering fast order fills average 50–100ms. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and execution typically under 200ms. For scalpers and high-frequency NZ traders, AvaTrade’s lower slippage and faster execution are superior. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads reduce slippage risk but may lead to requotes during high volatility.
Regulation & Safety for New Zealand Traders
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for New Zealand traders. AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC (Australia), FSCA (South Africa), and other authorities, offering client fund segregation and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia) but holds no direct FMA license in New Zealand. Both brokers operate legally in NZ under the 'overseas broker' classification, but AvaTrade’s multiple tier-1 regulators provide stronger investor protection. Neither broker participates in the NZ Financial Dispute Resolution scheme, so traders must rely on overseas compensation funds.
Deposits & Withdrawals for New Zealand
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 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) |
New Zealand traders can fund accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. AvaTrade also supports Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and UnionPay, while EasyMarkets adds UnionPay and debit cards. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed instantly with no fees, ideal for crypto-savvy Kiwis. Bank Transfer is available but may take 1–3 business days and incur intermediary bank charges. Withdrawals are similarly processed; AvaTrade typically completes withdrawals within 1–2 business days via e-wallets, while EasyMarkets takes 2–5 business days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but EasyMarkets applies a $10 withdrawal fee for bank transfers. Minimum deposit is $100 (AvaTrade) vs $250 (EasyMarkets), making AvaTrade more accessible.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for New Zealand Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | 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 |
Both AvaTrade and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders who observe Sharia law. AvaTrade provides swap-free accounts across all account types with no extra charges, and the request can be made directly through the client portal. EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts, but traders must contact support to activate the feature. Neither broker charges additional fees for swap-free status, but EasyMarkets may limit the number of open positions on such accounts. For NZ Muslim traders, AvaTrade’s easier setup and broader trading conditions make it the more convenient option.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
Customer support for New Zealand traders is available 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone from both brokers. AvaTrade offers multilingual support with a dedicated NZ phone number (toll-free), while EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and email but no NZ-specific number. Response times are similar, but AvaTrade’s local number is a plus for Kiwis preferring direct calls.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
AvaTrade
EasyMarkets
Who Should Use Which Broker? - New Zealand Guide
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Want tighter variable spreads on NZD pairs and major forex
- Prefer using MetaTrader 4/5 with automated trading robots
- Value strong multi-regulatory oversight and negative balance protection
- Need a lower minimum deposit of just $100 USD
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
- Prefer predictable fixed spreads and no surprise costs
- Want unique risk management tools like dealCancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss
- Are a beginner trader looking for a simple proprietary platform
- Trade smaller volumes and prioritize cost certainty over raw spreads
FAQ - AvaTrade vs EasyMarkets in New Zealand
Final Verdict - New Zealand 2026
For the majority of New Zealand retail traders, AvaTrade is the superior choice with its 4.6/5 rating, lower spreads, diverse platforms, and stronger regulatory framework. It supports local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 seamlessly, and accepts Kiwi clients with a low $100 minimum deposit. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) remains a niche option for beginners or traders who value fixed costs and innovative tools like dealCancellation, but its higher spreads, limited platform selection, and weaker regulation hold it back. Consider AvaTrade for a comprehensive trading experience aligned with NZ trading needs in 2025.