Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand traders seeking a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and Exness, two well-established international brokers with distinct offerings. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss orders, and no requotes – ideal for beginners or those who value simplicity. Exness, scoring 4.8/5, stands out with ultra-low variable spreads, high leverage up to unlimited on certain accounts, and lightning-fast execution, making it a favorite among active and professional Kiwi traders. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, Exness offers a wider range of tradable instruments, superior trading conditions, and a more robust regulatory framework. For New Zealand traders, the choice hinges on trading style: EasyMarkets suits those who prefer predictable costs, while Exness delivers cost efficiency and advanced features for those aiming to maximise returns.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Exness |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Exness |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Exness |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Exness |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | Exness |
When comparing trading costs for New Zealand traders, Exness clearly leads with lower spreads and commissions. On its Standard account, EUR/USD spreads average 0.3 pips, while the Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips plus a small commission. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads that are wider – typically 1.0 to 1.5 pips on majors like NZD/USD – but predictable, which helps with budget management. For high-volume traders in New Zealand, Exness’s variable spreads can result in significantly lower total costs, especially during major market sessions. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but Exness also offers zero swap on certain accounts, further reducing carry costs for Kiwi traders holding positions overnight.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Exness |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Exness provide the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by New Zealand traders for their advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and custom indicators. Exness additionally offers its proprietary WebTrader platform, which is browser-based and requires no download – useful for traders on the go in New Zealand. EasyMarkets also provides a proprietary web platform with a risk management suite, including deal cancellation and guaranteed stop-loss. Mobile apps for iOS and Android are available from both brokers, allowing New Zealand traders to monitor positions and execute trades from anywhere. Exness’s mobile app is slightly more feature-rich, with one-click trading and real-time analytics.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Exness |
| 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 |
Execution quality directly impacts trading results for New Zealand traders, especially during volatile market conditions. Exness uses a combination of ECN and STP execution, providing ultra-fast order processing with no requotes and minimal slippage. It also offers deep liquidity from global banks, enabling tight spreads even on major pairs. EasyMarkets employs a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which eliminates slippage on stops but may result in slightly slower execution during high volatility. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in New Zealand, Exness’s execution speed is superior, while EasyMarkets offers reliability for risk-averse traders who value guaranteed order fills.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
For New Zealand traders, regulatory oversight is a key consideration. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), offering a strong level of investor protection. Exness holds multiple Tier-1 licenses including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and CySEC, along with regulation in South Africa (FSCA). While neither broker is directly regulated by a New Zealand regulator, they comply with local financial laws and are authorised to accept clients from New Zealand. Exness’s additional regulation under the FCA provides an extra layer of security, as the FCA offers compensation schemes (though not available to non-UK clients). Overall, both brokers operate with high regulatory standards, but Exness has a broader and more prestigious regulatory profile.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days |
New Zealand traders benefit from multiple deposit and withdrawal options at both EasyMarkets and Exness. Both support Bank Transfer (domestic and international), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 for fast, low-cost transactions. Exness also accepts credit/debit cards, Perfect Money, and local bank transfers (via POLi) for Kiwi clients, while EasyMarkets adds PayPal and UnionPay. Deposits via e-wallets and USDT are usually instant and free of charge, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at Exness, often within minutes for e-wallets, whereas EasyMarkets typically processes withdrawals within 1 business day. Neither broker charges deposit fees, but EasyMarkets may impose a small withdrawal fee for bank transfers. For frequent traders in New Zealand, Exness’s faster and more flexible withdrawal system is a notable advantage.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying interest on overnight positions. EasyMarkets provides dedicated Islamic accounts with zero swaps on all instruments, subject to verification and approval. Exness also offers swap-free accounts on request for all account types, but note that after a certain holding period (usually 7 days for some instruments), a small administrative fee may apply. Exness’s Islamic accounts are available on Standard, Raw Spread, and Zero accounts, giving New Zealand traders more flexibility. Both brokers require a declaration of faith or proof of Muslim status. For long-term position traders, EasyMarkets’ straightforward zero-swap policy may be more favourable.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✓ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is crucial for New Zealand traders, especially during different time zones. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with a responsive team that can handle queries within minutes. Exness provides 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, ensuring coverage during New Zealand’s trading hours, including weekends. Exness’s support is known for its quick response times and detailed assistance. Neither broker has a physical office in New Zealand, but both offer local phone numbers or toll-free options for Kiwi clients, making it easy to get help when needed.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Exness | 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 | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Exness if you...
For New Zealand traders, Exness is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating, offering superior trading conditions, lower costs, and faster execution than EasyMarkets. While EasyMarkets provides a solid, beginner-friendly platform with fixed spreads and innovative risk management features like guaranteed stops, its wider spreads and slower execution fall short for active traders. Exness excels with ultra-tight spreads, a vast range of deposit options (including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20), and excellent regulatory credentials from the FCA and CySEC. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support local payment methods, but Exness’s flexibility and lower costs make it the recommended choice for most Kiwi traders, from retail to professionals. If you value simplicity and predictability, EasyMarkets remains a decent option, but Exness offers better value and performance for forex trading in New Zealand.