Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated forex brokers, FBS and EasyMarkets present two distinct options. FBS, with a 3.7/5 rating, appeals to experienced traders with its low spreads, multiple account types, and high leverage options. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, focuses on simplicity and risk management with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss. Both are regulated by ASIC, ensuring Australian clients benefit from strict financial oversight and negative balance protection. When trading in AUD, both brokers support local deposit methods like BPAY and POLi, making funding straightforward. This comparison dives into trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local features to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in Australia.
| Instrument | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
For Australian traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. FBS offers variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero Spread account, with a commission of $6 per lot. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads starting from 1.0 pips on major pairs, with no commission. For high-volume traders, FBS's low spreads can significantly reduce costs, especially when trading AUD pairs like AUD/USD. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads provide cost certainty, ideal for traders who prefer predictable expenses. Consider your trading volume: active scalpers may favor FBS, while position traders may appreciate EasyMarkets' transparency.
| Account Type | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry standards for Australian traders, along with a proprietary FBS Trader app. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which features a deal cancellation tool and guaranteed stop-loss. For Australian traders who rely on advanced charting and automated trading, FBS's MT4/5 support is superior. EasyMarkets' platform is simpler and more intuitive, suited for beginners or those who value risk management tools over complex analysis.
| Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FBS uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with ECN technology, offering fast order fills and minimal slippage, ideal for Australian scalpers. EasyMarkets uses market execution with fixed spreads, ensuring no requotes but potentially slower execution during volatile markets. For Australian traders trading AUD pairs, FBS's execution is generally faster, while EasyMarkets provides reliability for those prioritizing fixed costs.
| Safety Factor | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and EasyMarkets are regulated by ASIC, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, ensuring strict compliance with Australian financial laws. ASIC regulation means Australian traders benefit from segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for dispute resolution. FBS also holds IFSC and CySEC licenses, while EasyMarkets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC. For Australian traders, ASIC oversight provides a high level of security, but note that FBS's Australian entity may have different leverage limits compared to its international arms.
| Payment Method | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 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) |
Australian traders can fund both FBS and EasyMarkets using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, all in AUD. FBS supports instant deposits via POLi and credit cards, with no fees for most methods. Bank transfers may take 1-2 business days. EasyMarkets also offers fee-free deposits via these methods, with instant processing for credit cards and POLi. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for both brokers, with FBS offering additional e-wallet options like Skrill. Minimum deposits are low: FBS starts at $5 USD (approx. $7 AUD), while EasyMarkets requires $100 USD (approx. $150 AUD). For Australian traders, the variety of local payment methods makes funding convenient and cost-effective.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FBS and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim Australian traders. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all its account types, including Standard and Zero Spread, with no swap fees on overnight positions. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts upon request, with the same fixed spreads and no swap charges. For Australian Muslims, FBS's automatic availability is more convenient, while EasyMarkets requires a manual request. Both brokers comply with Sharia law, making them suitable for Islamic trading in Australia.
| Support Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 multi-language support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Australian phone number. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with English-speaking agents. For Australian traders, FBS's round-the-clock support is advantageous for after-hours trading, while EasyMarkets' support is adequate for standard trading hours. Both have responsive live chat, but FBS edges ahead for availability.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Australian traders, FBS is the stronger choice for experienced traders due to its lower spreads, advanced platforms, and higher overall rating. It supports local payment methods like BPAY and POLi, and its ASIC regulation ensures security. EasyMarkets is better for risk-averse traders who prioritize fixed costs and guaranteed stop-loss. Both are solid ASIC-regulated brokers, but FBS's flexibility and cost efficiency make it the preferred option for active traders in Australia. Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you value low costs (FBS) or risk management simplicity (EasyMarkets).