Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand retail traders evaluating online brokers often compare EasyMarkets and FXTM, two well-known international providers. EasyMarkets holds a score of 3.4/5, appealing to beginners with its fixed spreads and user-friendly platform. FXTM scores 4.3/5, offering tighter spreads, broader asset coverage including NZD/USD and NZD/JPY, and advanced trading tools. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients but are regulated offshore (CySEC, FSCA) rather than by the local Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Kiwi traders benefit from multiple deposit methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This comparison focuses on trading costs, platform suitability, regulation, and payment convenience specific to the New Zealand market.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 | FXTM |
For New Zealand traders, spreads directly impact profitability. FXTM offers variable spreads from 0.1 pips on its ECN accounts, making it cheaper for high-volume NZD pairs trading. EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads starting at 1.0 pips, which avoid slippage but are less competitive. A standard lot trade on EUR/USD costs about $10 at FXTM vs $20 at EasyMarkets. The difference widens on exotic pairs popular in New Zealand, like NZD/CAD. Volume-based discounts are available at FXTM through its loyalty program.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, the industry standard for New Zealand traders. EasyMarkets also provides its proprietary web platform with simplified charting and deal cancellation features – useful for beginners. FXTM delivers superior mobile trading tools and advanced order types favored by active retail traders. FXTM’s web terminal and MT5 support depth-of-market, while EasyMarkets focuses on a streamlined experience. New Zealand traders seeking automation will find both compatible with Expert Advisors, though FXTM allows more customization.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 |
FXTM delivers faster execution with an ECN model and low latency servers in London and New York, beneficial for scalpers. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and no requotes, but execution speed is slower on volatile NZD pairs during news events. Slippage is minimal at FXTM even on high-frequency trades, making it the better choice for active New Zealand retail traders.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FSA (Seychelles); FXTM holds licenses from the FCA (UK), CySEC, and FSCA (South Africa). Neither broker is directly regulated by the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA). For New Zealand traders, this means limited local recourse in disputes. However, FXTM’s FCA regulation offers stronger client fund protection (up to £85,000 via FSCS). EasyMarkets provides negative balance protection as a standard feature, which is beneficial for volatile NZD markets.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
New Zealand traders can fund both accounts via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal; FXTM adds China UnionPay and Sofort. Bank transfer processing takes 1-3 business days, while e-wallets and USDT are instant. EasyMarkets does not charge deposit fees on these methods; FXTM may impose a small fee on certain wire transfers. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT at both brokers. Minimum deposit via Bank Transfer is $100 (EasyMarkets) vs $10 (FXTM). USDT TRC20 deposits are commission-free at FXTM, a plus for crypto-friendly New Zealand traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders who need to comply with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward swap-free account with no additional charges on overnight positions. FXTM requires a minimum deposit of $500 for Islamic accounts and may apply a management fee after a holding period (e.g., 10 days). Both brokers waive swap on all instruments, making them suitable for long-term position traders in New Zealand.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | FXTM | 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, phone support, and email, with quick response times for New Zealand traders due to their global team. FXTM provides 24/7 live chat and multilingual phone support, including an 0800 number for New Zealand clients. FXTM’s support is more comprehensive for technical issues, while EasyMarkets excels in onboarding assistance. Neither broker has a physical office in New Zealand.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For New Zealand retail traders, FXTM is the stronger choice with a 4.3/5 score, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and broader asset coverage. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) remains a solid option for beginners appreciating fixed costs and simplicity. Both support local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, FXTM’s flexibility with a $10 minimum deposit and FCA oversight provides added confidence. New Zealand traders should consider their trading style: EasyMarkets for stability, FXTM for cost-efficiency and advanced features. Neither broker is locally regulated by the FMA, so due diligence is essential.