Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced Australia traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, the choice between EasyMarkets and Plus500 often comes down to trading style and cost structure. Both brokers hold Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) licenses, providing strong regulatory oversight and client fund segregation. EasyMarkets, with a Trustpilot-style score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and risk management tools such as dealCancellation and Freeze Rate. Plus500, rated 3.7/5, dominates the CFD space with competitive variable spreads, a vast product range, and a user-friendly proprietary platform. Australia traders benefit from local payment methods including BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits in AUD, eliminating currency conversion fees. Whether you prioritise predictable costs or low variable margins, this comparison breaks down the key differences relevant to the Australian market in 2025.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | Plus500 |
When it comes to trading costs, Plus500 generally offers lower variable spreads on major forex pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD, which can drop to 0.6 pips during active market hours. This suits high-volume Australia traders who benefit from volume-based discounts on spreads. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, provides fixed spreads that average 1.2 pips on EUR/USD, ensuring no slippage regardless of market volatility. For Australian traders trading in AUD, both brokers avoid commission fees on forex, but EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads can be more expensive during calm conditions. Plus500’s variable spreads may widen during news events, so traders should consider their trading frequency and risk appetite.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Plus500 offers a sleek, web-based and mobile trading platform tailored for CFD trading with advanced charting tools, risk management features, and a clear fee structure. It does not support MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which may disappoint some Australia traders accustomed to its flexibility. EasyMarkets provides both its proprietary web platform and full MT4 integration, appealing to traders who want algorithmic trading or custom indicators. Both platforms are available in English and include Australian market hours and asset lists (e.g., ASX shares, forex pairs, indices). For Australia traders who value MT4’s ecosystem, EasyMarkets is the clear winner; for simplicity and speed, Plus500 excels.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 |
Plus500 uses a straight-through-processing (STP) model with variable spreads and fast execution, though slippage can occur during volatile periods. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads with a no-slippage guarantee, which is ideal for Australia traders who need price certainty on trades. EasyMarkets also provides a Freeze Rate feature that locks the price for a few seconds, allowing traders to confirm orders without market movement. For day traders in Australia who prioritise execution speed, Plus500’s infrastructure is slightly faster, but EasyMarkets’ price stability may be more valuable for scalpers or high-frequency traders.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 are regulated by ASIC, ensuring Australia traders benefit from strict capital requirements, client money segregation, and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) in case of disputes. Plus500 also holds licenses from FCA (UK) and CySEC, adding another layer of oversight. EasyMarkets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC. For Australia traders, ASIC regulation means negative balance protection is mandatory, and leverage is capped at 1:30 for retail clients. Both brokers comply with these rules, providing a secure trading environment. The key difference is that Plus500’s additional licenses may imply more rigorous operational standards, though ASIC remains the primary authority for Australian clients.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 1 to 3 business day |
Australia traders can fund both accounts using AUD with BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). EasyMarkets also accepts PayPal and Skrill, offering more e-wallet options. Deposits via BPAY and POLi are usually instant and fee-free, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed quickly: Plus500 typically processes withdrawals within 24 hours to the original funding method, and EasyMarkets does same-day processing for most methods, excluding bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals, but bank intermediaries may impose charges. For Australia traders, POLi and BPAY are the most convenient and cost-effective options, with no extra currency conversion since all accounts operate in AUD.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Australia who require Sharia-compliant trading. These accounts eliminate swap or rollover interest on overnight positions. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request with no additional fees, while Plus500 also offers swap-free accounts but may charge a small administration fee on positions held beyond a certain period. Australia traders should verify eligibility during account opening. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts adhere to ASIC regulations, so leverage restrictions and other rules remain unchanged. For Muslim traders in Australia, either option is viable, but EasyMarkets’ lack of extra fees may be more attractive.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | 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 multi-lingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with responsive Australian-friendly hours (open during Sydney business time). Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support, with phone callback service. For Australia traders, Plus500’s round-the-clock availability is a clear advantage, especially when trading during Asian or US sessions. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections in English, but Plus500’s chat response times are generally faster. Overall, Plus500’s support is more accessible for Australian clients needing after-hours assistance.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For Australia traders in 2025, the decision between EasyMarkets and Plus500 hinges on trading style and cost preferences. Plus500’s higher rating (3.7/5) reflects its competitive variable spreads, vast product range, and excellent support hours — making it the better choice for experienced traders seeking low-cost CFD trading under ASIC regulation. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) appeals to those who want fixed spreads and risk control, especially if they rely on MT4 or value tools like Freeze Rate. Both brokers support local AUD deposits via BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, ensuring hassle-free funding. Ultimately, if you prioritise execution speed and tighter spreads, go with Plus500; if price certainty and platform flexibility matter more, EasyMarkets is a solid option.