Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, EasyMarkets and FP Markets are two well-known options, but they cater to different trading styles. Both offer AUD-denominated accounts and support local payment methods such as BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit cards, making them accessible for Australian residents. EasyMarkets is known for its fixed spreads, guaranteed stop losses, and a proprietary platform that simplifies risk management. FP Markets, on the other hand, is a multi-asset broker offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips, advanced platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader, and deep liquidity from tier-1 banks. With a strong 4.7/5 rating compared to EasyMarkets' 3.4/5, FP Markets is often favoured by active traders who prioritise low costs and fast execution. However, EasyMarkets appeals to those who value fixed costs and simple trading tools. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in Australia's competitive forex market.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | FP Markets |
For Australian traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those trading frequently or in high volumes. FP Markets offers two main account types: a Standard account with spreads from 1.0 pips and no commission, and a Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $3 per lot commission per side. This structure is highly competitive for pairs like AUD/USD, EUR/USD, and GBP/USD. EasyMarkets operates with fixed spreads that typically start around 1.1 pips on major pairs, with no commission. While fixed spreads provide predictability, they are generally wider than FP Markets' variable spreads, particularly during volatile market sessions. For Australian traders who trade multiple lots daily, FP Markets clearly offers lower overall transaction costs.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Australian traders value platform stability, customisation, and access to charting tools. FP Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all of which are highly regarded for algorithmic trading and advanced analysis. These platforms support expert advisors (EAs), custom indicators, and hedge trading. EasyMarkets offers its own proprietary web-based platform, which features one-click trading, charting, and a unique 'deal cancellation' tool, along with MetaTrader 4. While EasyMarkets' platform is user-friendly and ideal for beginners or those who prefer simplicity, FP Markets' broader platform choice and cTrader's depth cater better to experienced Australian traders who need advanced functionality for strategies like scalping or automated trading.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| 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 is vital for experienced traders. FP Markets is an ECN/STP broker with direct access to liquidity providers, offering fast execution with minimal requotes. Its Raw account is particularly suited for scalpers using Expert Advisors. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed execution, which can be beneficial in volatile markets but may result in slippage during news events. For Australian traders who prioritise speed and precision, FP Markets’ execution is generally superior.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and FP Markets are authorised and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring they meet strict client money segregation, capital adequacy, and reporting obligations. For Australian traders, ASIC regulation offers strong investor protection, including negative balance protection and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) scheme. EasyMarkets is also regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), while FP Markets holds additional licences in other jurisdictions, but their ASIC licences are the most relevant for Australian clients. This regulatory standing means both brokers are legally sound choices for residents.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 24 hours |
Both brokers support the payment methods most favoured by Australian traders: BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit/debit cards. Deposits are typically free and processed in AUD, with no currency conversion fees for local traders. FP Markets offers instant deposits via POLi and credit cards, while bank transfers may take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals at FP Markets are generally processed within 24 hours and are free, except for bank transfers which may incur a small fee. EasyMarkets also supports the same methods, but its withdrawal policy includes a $20 fee for bank transfers and a $10 fee for wire withdrawals in some cases. For Australian traders who want fast, low-cost access to their funds, FP Markets' policies are more favourable overall.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in Australia who require Sharia-compliant accounts will find that both EasyMarkets and FP Markets offer swap-free Islamic accounts. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight interest (swap) on positions held past the daily rollover, in accordance with Islamic finance principles. FP Markets' Islamic accounts are available on both Standard and Raw accounts, while EasyMarkets also offers them on its standard setup. However, eligibility may require proof of faith or a minimum deposit, and certain instruments may be excluded. It is advisable for Australian Muslim traders to confirm the exact terms with each broker's support team before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Australian traders need reliable support during local trading hours. FP Markets provides 24/7 multilingual customer service via live chat, email, and phone, with an Australian-based support team available during business hours. EasyMarkets also offers 24/5 support with live chat and phone lines, though its Australian phone support may have shorter hours. FP Markets’ responsiveness and dedicated Australian presence give it an edge for local traders who require timely assistance.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | FP Markets | 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 FP Markets if you...
For Australian traders who are experienced and value low trading costs, fast execution, and a wide range of advanced platforms, FP Markets is the clear winner. Its ASIC regulation, AUD accounts, and support for local payment methods like BPAY and POLi make it an ideal fit for the Australian market. While EasyMarkets offers appealing simplicity and fixed spreads, its higher overall cost structure and fewer platform choices make it less suitable for active traders. Considering the specific needs of experienced Australian traders and the strong 4.7/5 rating, FP Markets is recommended for most users seeking an ASIC-regulated broker in Australia.