Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced Australia traders seeking a reliable ASIC-regulated broker, the choice between FBS and FP Markets comes down to trading costs, platform quality, and local support. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, has a global presence but its offerings for Australia traders are limited compared to FP Markets, which scores 4.7/5 and is a top choice for local traders. Both brokers are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring your funds are held in segregated accounts and you have access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. FP Markets stands out with its competitive spreads, powerful MetaTrader platforms, and extensive local payment methods like BPAY and POLi. FBS, while offering a user-friendly interface and Islamic accounts, has higher trading costs and fewer account types. This comparison breaks down everything Australia traders need to know, from spreads and platforms to deposit options and customer support, so you can choose the broker that best fits your trading style.
| Instrument | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FP Markets |
When comparing trading costs for Australia traders, FP Markets clearly outperforms FBS. FP Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account with a commission of $6 per lot, while its Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. In contrast, FBS' standard account starts at 1.0 pips and its ECN account at 0.5 pips with a $20 commission per lot. For high-volume traders, FP Markets' lower spreads and commissions can save thousands of dollars annually. Additionally, FP Markets does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees for local methods like BPAY and POLi, while FBS may impose fees for certain transactions. Overall, FP Markets provides more cost-effective trading for Australia traders who trade frequently or in large volumes.
| Account Type | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | FP Markets | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and FP Markets offer the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely used by Australia traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. FP Markets also provides the cTrader platform, which is known for its intuitive interface and deep liquidity access, ideal for experienced traders who need fast execution. FBS focuses solely on MT4 and MT5, which are sufficient but lack the additional features of cTrader. For Australia traders, FP Markets' platform offering is more versatile, especially for those who trade multiple asset classes or require advanced order types. Both brokers offer web and mobile versions, ensuring you can trade from anywhere in Australia.
| Factor | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| 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 |
Execution quality is a key differentiator for experienced traders. FP Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers and offers low-latency execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast order fills and minimal slippage. FBS also provides ECN execution but has slightly higher latency due to its server locations. For Australia traders, FP Markets' execution is superior, especially for scalping and high-frequency trading, with average execution speeds under 40 milliseconds. FBS' execution is reliable but not as fast, making FP Markets the better choice for traders who prioritize speed and precision.
| Safety Factor | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and FP Markets are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which is one of the most respected financial regulators globally. For Australia traders, ASIC regulation means your funds are held in segregated trust accounts, you have access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution, and the broker must adhere to strict capital adequacy requirements. FP Markets is also regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) for its international operations, while FBS is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize in addition to ASIC. This dual regulation gives FP Markets an edge in terms of oversight and client protection. Both brokers comply with ASIC's leverage restrictions, which cap leverage at 30:1 for retail clients, ensuring responsible trading for Australia traders.
| Payment Method | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 24 hours |
For Australia traders, both FBS and FP Markets support a range of local payment methods including BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. Deposits via POLi and Credit Card are usually instant, while BPAY and Bank Transfer take 1-2 business days. FP Markets also accepts PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, providing more flexibility. Withdrawals are processed quickly at both brokers, with FP Markets typically completing withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers. FBS processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days. Importantly, FP Markets does not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals using these local methods, while FBS may apply fees for certain transactions, particularly for bank transfers. Both brokers allow you to withdraw funds using the same method used for deposit, up to the deposited amount, which simplifies the process for Australia traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Australia Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. These accounts do not charge or pay swap fees on overnight positions, aligning with Islamic finance principles. FP Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, while FBS offers them automatically for eligible clients. Both brokers require that you hold positions for a minimum period (typically 10-14 days) to maintain swap-free status, preventing abuse. For Australia traders, FP Markets' Islamic account is more flexible as it is available on the Raw account with tight spreads, whereas FBS' Islamic account is limited to certain account types. This makes FP Markets a better choice for Muslim traders who want competitive trading conditions.
| Support Feature | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
Customer support is crucial for Australia traders, and both FBS and FP Markets offer 24/5 multilingual support. FP Markets provides phone support with an Australian local number, live chat, and email, ensuring quick resolution of issues. FBS offers similar channels but lacks a dedicated Australian phone number, which can be a disadvantage for urgent queries. FP Markets also has a comprehensive FAQ section and educational resources tailored to Australian traders, including webinars on ASIC regulations. Overall, FP Markets' support is more accessible and responsive for Australia traders.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | FP Markets | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For experienced Australia traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, FP Markets is the clear winner with a 4.7/5 rating compared to FBS's 3.7/5. FP Markets offers superior trading conditions including tighter spreads, faster execution, and a wider range of platforms like cTrader. Its support for local payment methods such as BPAY and POLi, combined with no deposit or withdrawal fees, makes it a cost-effective choice. While FBS is a decent option for beginners or those who need an automatic Islamic account, its higher costs and limited features make it less suitable for serious traders. If you're an Australia trader prioritizing low costs, fast execution, and reliable regulation, FP Markets is the better broker for 2025.