Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand traders comparing BlackBull Markets vs EasyMarkets have two distinct options. BlackBull Markets, headquartered in Auckland and regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), is a local favourite offering ECN execution with ultra-low spreads. EasyMarkets, though not NZ-regulated, provides a user-friendly fixed-spread platform with features like dealCancellation and negative balance protection. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support popular local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Whether you prefer raw institutional spreads or a simple all-in-one trading experience, this comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in the New Zealand market environment.
| Instrument | BlackBull Markets | 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 | $0 | $25 | BlackBull Markets |
Trading costs are a key factor for New Zealand traders. BlackBull Markets uses an ECN model with spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs plus a small commission (e.g., $6 per lot round turn on USD-denominated accounts). EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads (from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD) with no commission. For active traders executing multiple lots daily, BlackBull’s raw spreads result in significantly lower overall costs. However, occasional traders may prefer EasyMarkets’ predictable fixed spread structure, especially during volatile news events when variable spreads can widen.
| Account Type | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 |
| Asset Class | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | BlackBull Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | BlackBull Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | BlackBull Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
BlackBull Markets provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the industry-standard platforms favoured by New Zealand traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. It also offers cTrader for ECN trading. EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, plus MT4 for experienced users. For Kiwis who value third-party tools and algorithmic trading, BlackBull’s platform suite is superior. EasyMarkets’ proprietary platform is simpler and includes built-in risk management tools like free guaranteed stop-loss.
| Factor | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | BlackBull Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
BlackBull Markets provides ECN/STP execution with no dealing desk intervention, allowing for ultra-fast order processing and direct market access. Slippage is minimal, and orders are filled at the best available price. EasyMarkets uses a market maker (dealing desk) model, which means it takes the opposite side of trades. This can lead to requotes or faster execution during stable markets but may be less transparent during high volatility. For day traders and scalpers, BlackBull’s execution is superior.
| Safety Factor | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FMA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
BlackBull Markets is regulated by New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and also holds licenses in Seychelles, offering strong local oversight and client fund segregation. This means New Zealand traders benefit from dispute resolution via the NZ financial ombudsman. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia) but does not have a direct NZ license. While both brokers are legal for NZ residents, BlackBull’s local regulation provides an extra layer of security and compliance with NZ financial laws, which is reassuring for risk-averse traders.
| Payment Method | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (usually on the same business day) | 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 both accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller. BlackBull Markets also accepts USDT TRC20 (Tether), enabling frictionless crypto deposits with no conversion fees – ideal for tech-savvy Kiwis. Deposits are processed instantly with e-wallets and crypto, while bank transfers take 1-3 days. Withdrawals at BlackBull are free for most methods and processed within 24 hours. EasyMarkets offers similar speeds but lacks USDT support. Minimum deposits are $0 for BlackBull (flexible) and $100 for EasyMarkets. Both brokers do not charge internal fees, but bank intermediary charges may apply for wire transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | BlackBull Markets | 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 BlackBull Markets and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading without interest charges. BlackBull provides swap-free status upon request for any account type, with no expiry period. EasyMarkets offers a dedicated Islamic account during registration, also swap-free. Neither broker charges additional fees for these accounts, but note that positions held long-term may incur administrative fees. New Zealand traders should confirm swap-free terms directly with the broker’s support team to ensure full compliance.
| Support Feature | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | BlackBull Markets |
BlackBull Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a local Auckland office for NZ traders. Response times are fast, and the team is knowledgeable about Kiwi-specific queries. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with phone support in multiple languages. While both brokers offer solid service, BlackBull’s local presence and around-the-clock availability give it an edge for New Zealand-based traders needing immediate assistance.
| Mobile Feature | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | BlackBull Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | BlackBull Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | BlackBull Markets |
| Resource | BlackBull Markets | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | BlackBull Markets |
Choose BlackBull Markets if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For most New Zealand traders, BlackBull Markets is the stronger choice due to its local FMA regulation, low-cost ECN spreads, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. It caters well to active traders and those who want direct access to institutional pricing. EasyMarkets remains a solid option for beginners or traders who prioritise simplicity, fixed costs, and innovative features like dealCancellation. However, its lack of NZ-specific regulation and higher spread costs may limit its appeal for experienced Kiwis. Ultimately, your choice depends on your trading style and the importance of local regulatory oversight.