Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, the choice between Exness and FXTM is pivotal. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads, lightning-fast execution, and flexible leverage options, making it a top pick for high-volume traders in Australia. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a robust platform suite and extensive educational resources, appealing to traders who value support and ease of use. Both brokers are fully regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring client fund segregation and compliance with local laws. Australian traders benefit from local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, with both brokers supporting AUD accounts for seamless transactions. This comparison dives into key factorsβtrading costs, platforms, regulation, and local featuresβto help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in the competitive Australian forex market.
| Instrument | Exness | 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 | $10 | $10 | Exness |
| Inactivity fee | β | β | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Australian traders, Exness holds a clear advantage with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero account, while FXTM's spreads begin at 0.1 pips on its ECN account. For high-volume traders, Exness offers volume-based discounts that can reduce costs further, especially on major pairs like AUD/USD. FXTM's commission structure is competitive but slightly higher, with $3.5 per lot on its ECN account versus Exness's $3 per lot. Swap rates are also a factor: Exness offers more favorable overnight rates for Australian traders holding positions beyond a day. Overall, Exness is the cost-efficient choice for active traders in Australia.
| Account Type | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | β | β |
| ECN / Raw spread | β | β |
| Islamic (swap-free) | β | β |
| Demo account | β | β |
| PAMM / MAM account | β | β |
| Zero spread account | β | β |
| Copy trading | β | β |
| VPS trading | β | β |
| Min deposit | $10 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | Exness | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | β | β | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | β | β | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | β | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | β | β | FXTM |
| ETFs | β | β | Tie |
| Options | β | β | Tie |
| Futures | β | β | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | β | β |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | β | β |
| cTrader | β | β |
| TradingView | β | β |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | β | β |
| Scalping allowed | β | β |
| Hedging allowed | β | β |
| Fixed spreads | β | β |
| Variable spreads | β | β |
Both brokers provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Australian traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Exness also offers its proprietary WebTerminal for quick access, while FXTM provides the FXTM Trader app for mobile trading. For Australian traders who prefer social trading, FXTM's copy trading platform is more developed, but Exness's integration with third-party tools like TradingView gives it an edge for technical analysis. Platform stability and execution speed are excellent on both, but Exness's infrastructure is optimized for lower latency in the Asia-Pacific region.
| Factor | Exness | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | β | β | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | β | β | Tie |
| News trading | β | β | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | β | β | Tie |
Execution quality is a key differentiator for Australian traders. Exness boasts an average execution speed of under 50 milliseconds, with no requotes or slippage on most orders. FXTM's execution is reliable at around 100 milliseconds, but slippage can occur during high volatility. Exness's use of advanced technology and multiple liquidity providers ensures tighter spreads and faster fills, making it the preferred choice for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Australia.
| Safety Factor | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Reg number | #730729 | #600475 |
| Verify registration | Verify β | Verify β |
| Top-tier regulated | β | β |
| Investor protection | β | β |
| Segregated funds | β | β |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
Regulation is a critical factor for Australian traders, and both Exness and FXTM are licensed by ASIC, ensuring strict compliance with Australian financial laws. ASIC regulation means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and both brokers adhere to leverage limits (typically 1:30 for retail clients) and negative balance protection. Exness also holds licenses from the FCA and CySEC, adding an extra layer of oversight, while FXTM is regulated by the FCA and FSCA. For Australian traders, ASIC regulation provides confidence in fund safety and dispute resolution through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
| Payment Method | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | β | β |
| Visa / Mastercard | β | β |
| Skrill | β | β |
| Neteller | β | β |
| USDT / Crypto | β | β |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days | Cards instant (up to 2h EU); e-wallets instant-2h; bank/local transfer 1 business day; crypto up to 24h |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Australian traders enjoy convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers, including BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. Exness processes deposits instantly via BPAY and POLi with no fees, while withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours. FXTM also supports these methods, with Bank Transfer taking 1-2 business days for AUD accounts. Credit Card deposits are instant at both, but Exness offers a wider range of local bank transfer options. For withdrawals, both brokers have no fees, but Exness's faster processing times make it more efficient for active traders. Minimum deposits are low: $10 at Exness and $100 at FXTM, catering to different budget levels.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | β | β |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | β | β |
| Gold swap-free | β | β |
| Crypto swap-free | β | β |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Australian Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant accounts, both Exness and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. Exness provides swap-free accounts on all account types, with no overnight interest charges, and no additional fees for Australian residents. FXTM's Islamic accounts are available on request and apply to most account types, with the same zero-swap policy. Both brokers require a declaration of faith for eligibility. Exness's broader availability across account types gives it a slight edge, but FXTM's clear terms and dedicated support for Islamic accounts make it a solid choice for Australian traders.
| Support Feature | Exness | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | β | β | Tie |
| Phone support | β | β | Tie |
| Email support | β | β | Tie |
| 24/7 support | β | β | Exness |
| 24/5 support | β | β | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support for Australian traders is strong at both brokers. Exness offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Australian phone number for local queries. FXTM also provides 24/5 support with live chat and phone, but its weekend availability is limited. Exness's faster response times and local language support make it more convenient for Australian traders, especially during volatile market hours.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5β | 4.3β | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3β | 4.2β | Exness |
| Biometric login | β | β | Tie |
| Push notifications | β | β | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | β | β | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Dark mode | β | β | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | β | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | β | β | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose FXTM if you...
For experienced Australian traders, Exness emerges as the superior choice with its 4.8/5 rating, lower spreads, faster execution, and comprehensive support for local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. Its ASIC regulation ensures safety and compliance, while the ability to trade with high leverage and low costs makes it ideal for active traders. FXTM, with a 4.3/5 rating, is a strong alternative for those who prioritize education and social trading, but its higher spreads and slower execution may deter high-volume users. Ultimately, Exness offers better value for Australian traders focused on performance and efficiency, while FXTM suits those who value a more guided trading experience. Both are excellent ASIC-regulated options, but Exness's edge in trading conditions makes it the recommended broker for 2026.