Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For New Zealand traders, choosing between EasyMarkets and Trade Nation comes down to trading style and cost preferences. EasyMarkets, with a 3.4/5 rating, is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, which appeal to beginners who want cost certainty. Trade Nation, scoring 3.9/5, is a more established broker with tighter variable spreads, faster execution, and a stronger regulatory framework overseen by the FCA and ASIC. Both brokers accept Kiwi clients and support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, neither is directly regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand, so traders should evaluate each broker’s overseas licenses, client fund segregation, and compensation schemes. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, deposits, and support to help NZ traders decide which broker aligns best with their goals. Trade Nation’s higher overall score reflects its market reputation and cost efficiency, while EasyMarkets offers simplicity and fixed spreads that some traders still prefer. Whether you are a beginner or an active trader, understanding these differences is key to making an informed decision for your trading journey from New Zealand.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Trade Nation |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Trade Nation |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Trade Nation |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Trade Nation |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | Trade Nation |
When comparing trading costs for New Zealand traders, Trade Nation has a clear advantage with its raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs like NZD/USD and EUR/USD, plus a low commission. This structure is ideal for high-volume scalpers and day traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, which are wider (e.g., 1.2 pips on EUR/USD) but never widen during news events, providing cost certainty. For long-term swing traders, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads prevent surprise cost increases. However, for active Kiwi traders executing many trades, Trade Nation’s variable spreads reduce overall costs significantly. Additionally, Trade Nation’s low margin requirements on major pairs help NZ traders maximise leverage while keeping funding costs low. EasyMarkets has an inactivity fee after 12 months, whereas Trade Nation does not, which matters for NZ traders who trade infrequently.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (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 | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Trade Nation |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer robust platforms that suit New Zealand traders. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform with a clean interface, built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation, and full MetaTrader 4 (MT4) access for advanced charting and automated trading. Trade Nation offers its own proprietary platform designed for fast execution and simplicity, along with MT4 for Kiwi traders who need EAs and custom indicators. Trade Nation’s platform features one-click trading and price alerts, which active traders find useful. EasyMarkets’ platform includes negative balance protection and a free VPS service for high-frequency traders. Overall, Trade Nation’s platform feels more streamlined for speed, while EasyMarkets offers more customisable risk controls for New Zealand beginners.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Trade Nation |
| 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 |
Trade Nation offers superior execution quality with no requotes and a deep liquidity pool, ensuring orders are filled at requested prices even during volatile news events. EasyMarkets also provides instant execution on its proprietary platform but may experience slight slippage during major economic releases. For New Zealand traders trading NZD pairs during the Sydney session, Trade Nation’s execution remains stable with low latency. EasyMarkets’ dealCancellation tool allows reversing losing trades within 60 minutes, a unique feature that can mitigate execution-based losses. Overall, Trade Nation’s execution is preferred by scalpers, while EasyMarkets suits traders who value risk reversals.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Trade Nation are well-regulated but not directly by New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA). EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and the FSA (Seychelles). Trade Nation is regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC, and the FSA. For New Zealand traders, this means deposits are not covered by the FMA’s dispute resolution scheme. However, both brokers segregate client funds in tier-1 banks and participate in compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS for FCA clients, ICF for CySEC). Trade Nation’s FCA regulation offers stricter leverage limits and stronger investor protection. Kiwi traders should check each broker’s local license if they require onshore regulation. Many NZ traders find ASIC-regulated entities acceptable due to geographic proximity and strong oversight.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 2 working days |
New Zealand traders have multiple convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both EasyMarkets and Trade Nation. Both accept Bank Transfer (NZD and USD via international wire), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (crypto). Bank transfers are free but can take 1-3 business days. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are instant and often fee-free. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed quickly with minimal transaction costs, making them a popular choice for Kiwi crypto users. Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-2 days for bank transfers. Trade Nation does not charge deposit fees, while EasyMarkets may impose a small fee on certain methods. Minimum deposits differ: EasyMarkets requires $100 USD equivalent, while Trade Nation requires $200 USD. Both brokers allow NZD-denominated accounts, avoiding conversion costs for local traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Trade Nation provide swap-free Islamic accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. These accounts are compliant with Sharia law, removing swap (rollover) interest on overnight positions. EasyMarkets requires traders to request an Islamic account via support, and it must be approved based on eligibility. Trade Nation offers Islamic accounts automatically for clients of Muslim faith, with no additional paperwork. Both brokers apply an administrative fee after a holding period to cover costs, but no interest is charged. New Zealand traders should contact support before opening to confirm any specific conditions, as each broker’s policy may vary slightly. Islamic accounts are available on all account types, including MT4 and proprietary platforms.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | 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 from both brokers. EasyMarkets offers live chat, email, and phone support in English. Their team is responsive and provides assistance in multiple languages. Trade Nation also supports live chat and email, with phone lines open during market hours. Trade Nation’s support is known for fast resolution times. Neither broker offers 24/7 support, but Kiwi traders can reach both during New Zealand business hours easily. EasyMarkets has a comprehensive FAQ and educational resources, while Trade Nation provides dedicated account managers for active clients.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Trade Nation |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | 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 Trade Nation if you...
For New Zealand traders, Trade Nation (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice, offering lower trading costs, excellent execution, and robust FCA/ASIC regulation. It supports all local payment methods—Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—making deposits seamless. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) remains a solid option for beginners or traders who value fixed spreads and unique risk tools like dealCancellation. However, its wider spreads and lower score place it behind Trade Nation for most Kiwi retail traders. Neither broker is regulated by the FMA, but both adhere to strict international standards. Ultimately, Trade Nation’s balance of cost, speed, and security makes it the preferred broker for New Zealand residents aiming for consistent trading performance.