Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand retail traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and Alpari. Both brokers serve Kiwi clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets, with a 3.4/5 rating, is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, making it a solid choice for beginners. Alpari, rated 3.1/5, offers a wider range of currency pairs and advanced tools, appealing to more experienced traders. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, both hold reputable international licenses. This comparison breaks down costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit options specifically for New Zealand traders, helping you choose the best broker for your trading style in 2025.
| 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 New Zealand traders, trading costs are a key factor. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads from 1.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, providing cost certainty regardless of market volatility. Alpari’s spreads are variable, starting from 0.5 pips but can widen to 1.5 pips during news events. On a standard lot (100,000 units), EasyMarkets’ fixed spread costs $10 per round turn, while Alpari’s variable spread can range from $5 to $15. For high-volume traders, Alpari’s lower average spreads may reduce costs, but EasyMarkets’ predictability suits those who prefer stable expenses.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (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 WebTrader and mobile app, which are intuitive and designed for retail traders. It also offers TradingView integration for advanced charting. Alpari uses the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MT5 platforms, giving New Zealand traders access to custom indicators, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and a broader range of order types. For Kiwis who value simplicity, EasyMarkets’ platform is ideal; for those needing advanced analysis and automation, Alpari’s MT4/MT5 are superior.
| 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 instant execution, meaning orders are filled at the requested price without requotes. Alpari uses an ECN/STP model with no dealing desk, providing direct market access and variable spreads. Execution speeds are comparable at both brokers (under 50ms on average). New Zealand traders who value price certainty may prefer EasyMarkets’ instant execution, while those seeking raw market conditions may favor Alpari’s ECN model.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Alpari is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize. Neither broker is directly regulated by New Zealand’s local financial regulator, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). However, both comply with international standards, including client fund segregation and negative balance protection. New Zealand traders should check that the broker’s license covers their region and consider the level of protection offered by the regulator.
| 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. |
New Zealand traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, along with credit/debit cards. Alpari offers the same methods plus WebMoney and UnionPay. Deposits via USDT TRC20 are instant and free at both brokers, making them a popular choice for Kiwis who want fast funding. Bank Transfers are reliable but may take 1-3 business days and incur bank fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at EasyMarkets (except bank transfers) and 1-2 business days at Alpari. Both brokers process withdrawals back to the original payment method, ensuring security.
| 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 EasyMarkets and Alpari offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying overnight interest. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward Islamic account with no swap charges on any positions. Alpari also offers Islamic accounts but may apply a small administrative fee if positions are held beyond a certain period (e.g., 7 days). New Zealand traders should confirm specific terms with each broker’s support team before opening an Islamic account to avoid unexpected costs.
| 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a New Zealand-dedicated phone number. Alpari provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, but without a local number. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. EasyMarkets’ live chat response time is under 2 minutes, while Alpari averages 3-5 minutes. For New Zealand traders, EasyMarkets’ local phone support is a clear advantage.
| 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 New Zealand retail traders, EasyMarkets is the better choice overall, thanks to its higher score (3.4/5), fixed spreads, and user-friendly platform. It offers local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, plus a dedicated New Zealand phone line. Alpari (3.1/5) is a strong alternative for experienced traders who need advanced platforms and a wider instrument range. Both brokers are legally accessible to Kiwis, but neither is regulated by the local financial regulator. If you value simplicity, cost certainty, and strong support, choose EasyMarkets. If you need advanced tools and lower variable spreads, Alpari is worth considering.