Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare FBS and EasyMarkets, two globally recognised platforms. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment for Kiwi clients. FBS scores 3.7/5, offering high leverage, low spreads, and a wide range of deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, focuses on simplicity with fixed spreads, a user-friendly web platform, and a strong emphasis on risk management tools. This comparison helps New Zealand retail traders decide which broker aligns with their trading style, budget, and local payment preferences.
| 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 New Zealand traders, trading costs are a key factor. FBS offers variable spreads from 0.1 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with no commission on standard accounts. This is ideal for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.0-1.5 pips, which provides cost certainty but can be more expensive for frequent traders. FBS also has lower commission fees on its ECN accounts, while EasyMarkets charges no commission. Over 100 trades per month, FBS can save New Zealand traders up to 30% on spreads compared to EasyMarkets.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (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 5, which are popular among New Zealand traders for their advanced charting, custom indicators, and automated trading via Expert Advisors. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web trader and mobile app, designed for simplicity and ease of use. While FBS suits tech-savvy traders who want full control, EasyMarkets is better for beginners or those who prefer a streamlined interface. Both platforms are stable and offer real-time quotes, but FBS has a steeper learning curve.
| 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 a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model, offering fast execution with an average speed of 0.3 seconds and no requotes on most orders. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to slippage during high volatility. For New Zealand traders trading during Asian or London sessions, FBS provides more reliable execution, while EasyMarkets is suitable for less active strategies.
| 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 the local financial regulator, providing New Zealand traders with a layer of protection. FBS holds licenses from multiple global bodies, including the FSC, while EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC and ASIC, ensuring compliance with strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules. For New Zealand traders, this means both brokers adhere to local regulatory standards, though EasyMarkets' additional ASIC oversight may offer extra confidence. Always verify current licenses on the regulator's website.
| 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) |
New Zealand traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both FBS and EasyMarkets. FBS has a minimum deposit of $10, making it accessible for small accounts, and processes withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets. EasyMarkets requires a $100 minimum deposit and offers same-day withdrawals for e-wallets. USDT TRC20 deposits are instant and fee-free at both brokers, ideal for crypto users. FBS also supports additional local methods like POLi, while EasyMarkets focuses on these four. Withdrawal fees are minimal: FBS charges $1 for bank transfers, EasyMarkets is free for e-wallets.
| 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 New Zealand Muslim traders. FBS provides these accounts on request, with no swap fees on overnight positions, but may charge a small admin fee after a holding period. EasyMarkets automatically converts eligible accounts to swap-free, with no additional fees. For New Zealand traders observing Sharia law, EasyMarkets is slightly more convenient due to its automatic application, while FBS requires a support ticket. Both accounts maintain full trading functionality.
| 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 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with a dedicated New Zealand phone line. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and email support, with a comprehensive FAQ. Response times are similar (under 5 minutes for chat), but FBS has an edge with round-the-clock availability, which is useful for New Zealand traders in different time zones.
| 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 New Zealand traders, FBS is the better choice overall, scoring 3.7/5 versus EasyMarkets' 3.4/5. FBS offers lower spreads, higher leverage, more deposit methods (including USDT TRC20 and POLi), and 24/7 support. It suits active traders and those using MetaTrader. EasyMarkets is a solid alternative for beginners or traders who value simplicity and fixed costs, with strong regulatory oversight from ASIC. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator and accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Consider your trading volume and platform preference before deciding.