Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers often compare EasyMarkets and Tickmill, two well-known providers with distinct strengths. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) has built a reputation for user-friendly platforms and innovative risk tools, while Tickmill (score 4/5) appeals to experienced traders with raw spreads and fast execution. Both hold ASIC licenses, ensuring strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection under Australian law. For local convenience, both accept AUD deposits via BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. This comparison focuses on key factors for Australian traders: trading costs, platform choices, regulatory safeguards, and local payment methods. Whether you scalp AUD pairs or swing trade global indices, understanding the differences will help you choose the right broker for your strategy and risk appetite.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 | Tickmill |
For Australian traders, trading costs are a major differentiator. Tickmill’s Pro account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like AUD/USD, with a $3 commission per lot per side. This structure suits high-volume scalpers. EasyMarkets, by contrast, uses fixed spreads – typically 1.0 to 1.2 pips on AUD pairs – with no commission. While fixed spreads offer certainty, they are wider during low volatility. Over 100 trades per month, Tickmill’s variable spreads typically produce lower total costs for active traders, while EasyMarkets is better for those who prioritise predictable expenses.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry standard for Australian traders. Tickmill exclusively uses MT4/MT5, providing a pure, customisable trading environment with advanced charting and automated trading via Expert Advisors. EasyMarkets also supports MT4/MT5 but adds its proprietary web platform, which includes one-click trading and guaranteed stop-loss orders. For Australian traders who value simplicity and built-in risk management, EasyMarkets’ web platform is a plus. Tickmill appeals to those who prefer the full flexibility of MetaTrader without additional proprietary features.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 |
Tickmill is renowned for its lightning-fast execution, with average speeds under 30ms and no requotes on market orders. This is critical for Australian scalpers and algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets, while reliable, uses a dealing desk model that can lead to slippage on volatile news events, though it offers guaranteed stop-loss orders as compensation. For day traders who require precision and minimal latency, Tickmill’s execution is superior. EasyMarkets’ execution is adequate for swing traders and those who prioritise stop-loss guarantees.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Tickmill are regulated by ASIC, Australia’s primary financial regulator. ASIC imposes stringent requirements: client funds must be held in segregated trust accounts, and negative balance protection is mandatory for retail clients. Leverage is capped at 1:30 for forex pairs, which applies to both brokers under their Australian entities. Tickmill additionally holds licenses from the FCA and CySEC, but for Australian clients, the ASIC-regulated entity governs all trades. This gives traders in Australia strong legal protections and a clear avenue for dispute resolution through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Australian traders benefit from convenient local deposit methods at both brokers. EasyMarkets and Tickmill accept BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). BPAY and POLi are particularly popular as they link directly to Australian bank accounts with no extra fees. EasyMarkets requires a minimum deposit of $100 AUD, while Tickmill’s minimum is $100 USD (approx. $150 AUD depending on exchange rate). Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-2 business days; bank transfers take 1-3 days. Both brokers charge no internal fees for Aussie dollar withdrawals, but third-party bank fees may apply. EasyMarkets also supports PayPal and Skrill, offering additional flexibility for e-wallet users.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Australian Muslim traders who wish to trade in accordance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts on request after the trader provides a declaration of faith, while Tickmill automatically grants swap-free status to clients from Islamic countries, including Australia. Neither broker charges swap or overnight interest on these accounts. However, EasyMarkets may apply a small admin fee on positions held beyond a certain period. Australian traders should confirm specific terms with each broker’s support team before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | 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 a dedicated Australian phone line. Tickmill also provides 24/5 live chat and email, but lacks a local phone number for Australia. Both respond quickly, typically within a few minutes via chat. Tickmill’s support is known for technical expertise, while EasyMarkets excels in guiding new traders through account setup and platform features. For Australian traders in different time zones, both brokers cover the Sydney trading session adequately.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 Tickmill if you...
For Australian traders comparing EasyMarkets and Tickmill, the decision hinges on trading style and cost priorities. Tickmill’s 4/5 score reflects its superior spreads, execution speed, and overall value for active traders. It is particularly suitable for scalpers and those who trade high volumes on AUD pairs. EasyMarkets, with a 3.4/5, appeals to traders who value fixed costs and risk management tools like guaranteed stops, as well as a simpler platform. Both accept local deposits via BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making on-ramping easy. Ultimately, Tickmill wins on raw performance, but EasyMarkets offers features that certain Australian traders may find indispensable. Check each broker’s latest terms on the ASIC register before opening an account.