Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Australian traders comparing EasyMarkets and Alpari have two solid ASIC-regulated options, but they cater to different trading styles. EasyMarkets, with a CompareBroker score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and user-friendly platforms, making it a reliable choice for traders who want predictable costs. Alpari, scoring 3.1/5, appeals to cost-conscious traders with its tight raw spreads and commission-based pricing, ideal for scalping and high-frequency strategies. Both brokers accept AUD deposits via BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, and are regulated locally by ASIC, giving you strong legal protection. Whether you prioritize fixed costs or low spreads, understanding these differences is key to choosing the right broker for your Australian trading needs.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Alpari |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Alpari |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Alpari |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Alpari |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 | EasyMarkets |
For Australian traders, trading costs are a major differentiator. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that average 1.0-1.5 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission, making costs predictable regardless of market volatility. Alpari offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips but charges a $3.50 commission per lot (round turn). For a standard lot trade on EUR/USD, EasyMarkets costs around $10-15, while Alpari totals about $7 (spread + commission). High-volume traders benefit more from Alpari’s lower overall cost, but casual traders may prefer EasyMarkets’ simplicity and fixed pricing.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web platform and mobile app, plus MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). The proprietary platform features DealCancellation and Freeze Rate tools, which are unique and helpful for Australian traders managing volatile sessions. Alpari offers MT4 and MT5 exclusively, with advanced charting and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). For Australian traders who rely on EAs or algorithmic strategies, Alpari’s MT4/MT5 are superior. EasyMarkets suits those wanting innovative risk management tools.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, offering instant execution that avoids slippage but may have requotes during volatile periods. Alpari uses an ECN/STP model with direct market access, providing faster execution with minimal slippage but variable spreads. For Australian traders trading during high-volatility sessions like London or New York opens, Alpari’s execution is more reliable for scalping, while EasyMarkets suits those who prioritize price certainty.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission), which is a top-tier regulator. This means your funds are held in segregated accounts, and you have access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. EasyMarkets also holds licenses from CySEC and FSA, while Alpari is regulated by FCA and FSC as well. For Australian traders, ASIC oversight provides strong protection, including negative balance protection and mandatory reporting standards.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 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) | Cryptocurrency / E-Wallets: Instant to 2 hours (after internal processing).Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 10 business days.Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 5 business days. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Australian traders. Both EasyMarkets and Alpari support AUD deposits via BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. BPAY and POLi are especially popular because they are fee-free and process instantly. EasyMarkets also accepts PayPal and Skrill, while Alpari adds Neteller and UnionPay. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for most methods. EasyMarkets does not charge withdrawal fees, but Alpari may impose a small fee for certain methods. Bank transfers may take 2-5 business days, so POLi or BPAY are faster options for Australian traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Australian Muslim traders. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts on all account types upon request, with no additional fees. Alpari also offers Islamic accounts, but you must contact support to activate it, and it may be limited to certain account types. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. Australian Muslim traders can trade with peace of mind, though EasyMarkets’ process is simpler.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support, with Australian-based phone lines. Alpari provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, but phone support is not toll-free for Australian callers. Both have extensive FAQ sections. EasyMarkets’ response times are slightly faster, and their Australian-focused support team understands local trading conditions better.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For Australian traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Alpari depends on your trading style. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) is better for casual traders who value fixed costs, innovative tools, and simple account management. Alpari (3.1/5) suits experienced traders who prioritize low spreads and fast execution for scalping or EA trading. Both are ASIC-regulated and support local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. If you want predictable costs and unique features, choose EasyMarkets. If you want the lowest possible spreads and direct market access, Alpari is the better fit.