Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand has a thriving retail forex community, and traders here increasingly turn to global brokers that offer local payment methods and reliable regulation. EasyMarkets and Libertex are two well-known names, each with distinct strengths. EasyMarkets (rated 3.4/5) is praised for its fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss orders, and user-friendly platform, making it a safe choice for beginners. Libertex (rated 3.7/5) stands out for tighter floating spreads, a wider range of tradable assets including cryptocurrencies, and a robust multi-platform offering. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support Kiwi-friendly deposit methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Additionally, they operate under the oversight of the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA) or comparable regulatory bodies, providing a secure trading environment. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help New Zealand traders decide which broker aligns with their trading style.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 | Libertex |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs are heavily influenced by spreads. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, which on EUR/USD average around 1.2 pips – predictable but higher. Libertex offers variable spreads from 0.1 pips on major pairs, making it more cost-effective for frequent traders or those trading larger volumes. However, variable spreads can widen during volatile markets, while EasyMarkets' fixed spreads provide certainty. For NZ traders trading NZD/USD or AUD/USD, Libertex's tighter spreads can save significant costs over time. Both brokers charge no commission on standard accounts, but volume discounts apply on Libertex for high-frequency scalpers.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice matters for New Zealand traders who need reliability and mobile access. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), both optimized for desktop and mobile. The proprietary platform includes easy-to-use risk management tools. Libertex provides its own modern platform alongside MT4 and MT5, giving traders flexibility. Libertex's platform features advanced charting and a social trading component, appealing to New Zealanders who follow signal providers. Both platforms support local time zones (NZST) and offer fast order execution, but Libertex's multi-asset capability suits traders who also invest in stocks or crypto.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 varies between the two. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker, offering fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, but may experience requotes during high volatility. Libertex is also a market maker but uses a hybrid model (NDD for some accounts) that provides faster execution and fewer requotes. For New Zealand traders executing news trades or scalping, Libertex generally provides superior speed and reliability. Both platforms report average execution speeds under 50 ms, but Libertex has an edge during major economic releases.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for New Zealand traders. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and also holds an Australian ASIC license, while Libertex is regulated by CySEC and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in St. Vincent. However, both brokers accept New Zealand clients and adhere to the local financial regulator's (FMA) anti-money laundering and client fund segregation rules. For NZ traders, this means funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection is provided. While neither broker is directly licensed by the FMA, they comply with NZ financial laws, offering a reasonable level of protection for retail traders.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 5 business days |
New Zealand traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Bank Transfers typically take 1–3 business days with possible intermediary fees; Skrill and Neteller are instant and incur low fees (1–2%). USDT TRC20 is the fastest, processing within minutes with zero transaction fees, making it ideal for crypto-savvy Kiwis. EasyMarkets has a minimum deposit of $250, while Libertex requires only $100. Withdrawals are processed similarly – Libertex handles most withdrawals within 24 hours, whereas EasyMarkets may take 1–2 business days. Both support NZD conversion, but the base currency is USD, so traders should account for exchange rate margins.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 New Zealand can access swap-free Islamic accounts at both EasyMarkets and Libertex. EasyMarkets requires a formal request to convert an existing account, which is then reviewed for compliance with Sharia law. Libertex automatically offers Islamic account status on certain account types, particularly for clients who do not trade over the weekend. Both accounts eliminate overnight interest (swap) and are commission-free on trades. This makes them suitable for NZ Muslim traders who want to trade forex and CFDs without violating religious principles. Conditions apply, such as no holding positions over Wednesday to Friday rollover.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support for New Zealand traders is available 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone from both brokers. EasyMarkets offers multilingual support including English, with an average response time under 2 minutes on live chat. Libertex also provides 24/5 support in English and several other languages, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. Neither broker offers 24/7 support, which may be a disadvantage for Kiwis trading during off-hours or weekends. However, during regular trading hours, both are responsive and helpful.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | 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 Libertex if you...
For New Zealand traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Libertex hinges on priorities. Libertex earns a higher overall score (3.7/5) due to tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($100), and broader asset coverage, including crypto. It also excels in supporting local payment methods like USDT TRC20 with instant processing. EasyMarkets, at 3.4/5, offers fixed spreads and guaranteed stops—ideal for beginners who value certainty. Both brokers are regulated by tier-one authorities and accept New Zealand clients via local financial regulator oversight. Ultimately, cost-conscious Kiwi traders will likely prefer Libertex, while those seeking simplicity and safety may lean toward EasyMarkets. Test both with small deposits to see which suits your trading style.