Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For New Zealand traders looking to enter the forex market in 2025, choosing between FBS and FP Markets is a common decision. Both brokers offer access to global markets, but they differ significantly in terms of regulation, trading costs, and platform features. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, is known for its high leverage options and user-friendly platforms, making it attractive for beginners. On the other hand, FP Markets, scoring 4.7/5, is a well-established broker with strong regulatory oversight from ASIC and FCA, offering tighter spreads and a more professional trading environment. New Zealand traders should consider their own experience level, preferred trading style, and the importance of regulatory protection when comparing these two brokers. Local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 are supported by both, making deposits and withdrawals convenient for Kiwi users. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading goals in New Zealand.
| 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 New Zealand traders, FP Markets clearly outperforms FBS. FP Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account with a commission of $3 per lot per side, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. FBS, on the other hand, has spreads starting from 0.5 pips on its ECN account and higher on standard accounts. For a New Zealand trader trading 10 lots per month, the cost difference can be significant—FP Markets may save hundreds of dollars annually due to lower spreads and competitive commission structures. Additionally, FP Markets does not charge deposit fees for most methods, while FBS may have fees for certain payment options. Overall, FP Markets provides better cost efficiency for active traders in New Zealand.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (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 MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are the most popular platforms among New Zealand traders. FP Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored by advanced traders for its advanced charting tools and fast execution. FBS offers its own proprietary platform, FBS Trader, which is simple and mobile-friendly, but lacks the depth of cTrader. For New Zealand traders who value advanced features like depth of market and algorithmic trading, FP Markets is the better choice. Both brokers support mobile trading apps, but FP Markets’ platform selection is more comprehensive and tailored to different trading styles.
| 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 |
FP Markets offers superior execution quality with ultra-low latency and deep liquidity from multiple banks, resulting in fast order fills and minimal slippage. FBS provides decent execution but may experience higher slippage during volatile market conditions. For New Zealand traders who trade news or use scalping strategies, FP Markets’ execution is more consistent and reliable.
| Safety Factor | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for New Zealand traders. FP Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities including ASIC (Australia), FCA (UK), and CySEC (Cyprus), providing strong investor protection and negative balance protection. FBS is regulated by the IFSC (Belize) and FSC (Mauritius), which are considered lower-tier regulators. While neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in New Zealand, FP Markets’ higher regulatory status offers greater security and trust. For New Zealand traders, this means FP Markets is more likely to adhere to strict financial standards and offer compensation schemes in case of broker insolvency.
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a New Zealand trader is straightforward with both FBS and FP Markets. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, among other methods. For instant deposits, e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are ideal, while USDT TRC20 offers fast, low-cost crypto transactions. Bank transfers are reliable but may take 1-3 business days. FP Markets does not charge deposit fees for most methods and processes withdrawals quickly, often within 24 hours for e-wallets. FBS also supports these methods but may have fees for certain withdrawals. USDT TRC20 is particularly useful for New Zealand traders seeking anonymity and speed. Always verify any fees before transacting.
| 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 Muslim traders in New Zealand, in compliance with Sharia law that prohibits earning or paying interest. FP Markets provides swap-free accounts on its Standard and Raw accounts, with no overnight interest charges. FBS offers Islamic accounts on most of its account types, including Cent and Standard accounts. New Zealand Muslim traders can request these accounts during the registration process or by contacting customer support. It’s important to note that some brokers may charge an administrative fee for maintaining Islamic accounts after a certain period, so traders should check the terms carefully. FP Markets is generally more transparent about its swap-free policy.
| 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 available 24/7 from both FBS and FP Markets, which is convenient for New Zealand traders in different time zones. FP Markets offers support via live chat, email, and phone, with fast response times and knowledgeable staff. FBS also provides multilingual support, but some users report longer wait times. For New Zealand traders, FP Markets’ support is more reliable and professional, especially for complex queries.
| 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...
After comparing FBS and FP Markets for New Zealand traders, FP Markets is the clear winner with a score of 4.7/5 vs 3.7/5. Its tighter spreads, strong regulation, and superior platform offerings make it the better choice for most Kiwi traders. However, FBS may still appeal to beginners or those seeking high leverage and specific payment methods like USDT TRC20. Both brokers support local payment options such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator in New Zealand, FP Markets’ oversight by top-tier regulators provides greater peace of mind. For a reliable and cost-effective trading experience in 2025, FP Markets is recommended for New Zealand traders.