AvaTrade vs Tickmill: Which Broker is Better for New Zealand Traders?
Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare AvaTrade and Tickmill. Both are well-established international brokers, but they cater to slightly different trading styles. AvaTrade, with a score of 4.6/5, is known for its extensive platform selection, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary AvaTradeGO app, plus strong educational resources. Tickmill, scoring 4/5, excels in low-cost trading with ultra-tight spreads and fast execution, making it popular among scalpers and algorithmic traders. For New Zealanders, both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and neither is directly regulated by a local financial regulator but holds licenses from top-tier bodies. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals, whether you prioritize tools and education (AvaTrade) or cost efficiency and speed (Tickmill).
| Instrument | AvaTrade | 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 | $100 | $100 | AvaTrade |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for New Zealand traders, Tickmill has a clear edge for high-volume traders. Tickmill’s Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $3 per lot commission, while AvaTrade’s standard account has spreads from 0.9 pips with no commission. For a New Zealand trader executing 10 lots per week, Tickmill would save approximately $20–30 per week in spread costs. However, AvaTrade’s all-in pricing is simpler for casual traders who prefer not to track commissions. Both brokers have no hidden fees on deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20, but withdrawal fees may apply. Always check the latest fee schedules on each broker’s website.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 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 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | AvaTrade | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✓ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
AvaTrade offers a broader range of platforms tailored to New Zealand traders, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader, and the user-friendly AvaTradeGO app. Tickmill focuses on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, with a web-based platform as well. For New Zealand traders who need advanced charting, automated trading, or copy trading, AvaTrade’s ecosystem is more comprehensive. Tickmill’s platforms are robust but lack the variety of AvaTrade. Both support VPS hosting for algorithmic trading, but AvaTrade’s additional tools like AvaProtect (risk management) may appeal to retail traders who want extra protection.
| Factor | AvaTrade | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is crucial for New Zealand traders, especially scalpers and day traders. Tickmill is known for its ultra-fast execution speeds (under 30ms on average) with no requotes on major pairs, thanks to its liquidity providers. AvaTrade also offers reliable execution but may have slightly higher latency during volatile markets. For high-frequency traders, Tickmill’s ECN model provides a clear advantage. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, ensuring transparency. New Zealand traders should consider their trading style: Tickmill for speed, AvaTrade for stability.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | FCA |
| Reg number | #C53877 | #717270 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both AvaTrade and Tickmill are regulated by top-tier authorities: AvaTrade by the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, and FSCA, while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and FSA. For New Zealand traders, neither broker is directly regulated by a local financial regulator, but both comply with international standards. This means New Zealand clients benefit from segregated client funds, negative balance protection (where applicable), and dispute resolution mechanisms. Always verify the specific entity you are trading with, as terms may vary by region. For example, AvaTrade’s EU entity offers negative balance protection, which is valuable for New Zealand traders.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
New Zealand traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. AvaTrade supports these methods with no deposit fees, and withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets. Tickmill also accepts these methods, with Skrill and Neteller deposits being instant and free. USDT TRC20 deposits are particularly fast and low-cost, ideal for crypto-savvy traders. For withdrawals, both brokers may charge a small fee for Bank Transfer (e.g., $10–$20). Minimum deposits vary: AvaTrade requires $100, while Tickmill’s minimum is $25 for standard accounts. Always check the latest terms as policies can change.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | — |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both AvaTrade and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders who need to comply with Sharia law. AvaTrade provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no overnight swap fees on major pairs. Tickmill also offers swap-free accounts, but clients must contact support to activate it. Some restrictions may apply, such as longer holding periods or limited instruments. For New Zealand traders, both brokers are transparent about their policies, but AvaTrade’s self-service activation is more convenient. Always confirm eligibility and any associated costs before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
AvaTrade offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated support for New Zealand traders in English. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, but response times can be slower during peak hours. For New Zealand traders in the UTC+12 time zone, both brokers’ support hours align well with trading hours. AvaTrade’s support is generally more responsive and offers a wider range of contact options, including a comprehensive FAQ section.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | AvaTrade | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | AvaTrade |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Want a wide selection of platforms (MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader).
- Value educational resources and market analysis tools.
- Prefer a broker with a higher overall score (4.6/5) and strong regulation.
- Need Islamic accounts with easy activation.
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a high-volume trader looking for the lowest spreads and commissions.
- Need ultra-fast execution for scalping or algorithmic trading.
- Prefer a lower minimum deposit ($25 vs $100).
- Want a simple, no-frills trading environment with ECN pricing.
For New Zealand traders, the choice between AvaTrade and Tickmill comes down to priorities. AvaTrade (4.6/5) is the better all-rounder, offering a rich platform ecosystem, robust education, and easy Islamic account setup—ideal for retail traders who value tools and support. Tickmill (4/5) excels in cost efficiency and execution speed, making it the go-to for scalpers and cost-conscious traders. Both accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and while neither is regulated by a local financial regulator, both hold top-tier licenses. If you’re a New Zealand trader seeking a feature-rich experience, choose AvaTrade. If low costs and speed are your priority, Tickmill is the better fit. Always test each broker with a demo account before committing real funds.