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 Moneta Markets. Both brokers accept retail traders from New Zealand and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FBS holds a higher overall rating (3.7/5) compared to Moneta Markets (3.3/5), partly due to its wider range of account types and flexible deposit options. However, Moneta Markets offers competitive raw spreads that appeal to cost-conscious traders. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Kiwi traders: trading costs, platform usability, regulation, and local payment convenience. Neither broker is regulated by the local New Zealand financial regulator, so you should assess their international licences carefully before funding your account.
| Instrument | FBS | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Moneta Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Moneta Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Moneta Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Moneta Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $50 | FBS |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs are a key factor. FBS offers spreads from 0.5 pips on its Zero Spread account, while Moneta Markets starts from 0.0 pips on its Standard account (plus a commission). On a typical monthly volume of 10 lots on EUR/USD, Moneta Markets can be cheaper by about 10-15% due to lower raw spreads. However, FBS has no commission on many account types, which may benefit lower-volume traders. Both brokers offer competitive costs, but high-volume Kiwi traders should lean toward Moneta Markets for spread savings.
| Account Type | FBS | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $50 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Moneta 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+ | ✗ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Moneta Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and Moneta Markets provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among New Zealand traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FBS also offers its own FBS Trader app for mobile users, while Moneta Markets provides a web-based platform. For New Zealand traders who trade on the go, FBS’s dedicated mobile app may offer a smoother experience. Both platforms support real-time quotes and one-click execution, essential for fast-moving NZD pairs.
| Factor | FBS | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Moneta 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 |
Both brokers offer market execution with no requotes. FBS uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with average execution speeds of 0.3 seconds. Moneta Markets also uses NDD execution with speeds around 0.2 seconds on major pairs. For New Zealand traders trading volatile NZD/USD or AUD/NZD pairs, Moneta Markets may have a slight edge in speed, but both provide reliable execution for retail traders.
| Safety Factor | FBS | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FBS nor Moneta Markets is regulated by the local New Zealand financial regulator. FBS is licensed by the FSCA in South Africa and CySEC in Cyprus, while Moneta Markets holds licences from the FSCA and VFSC. For New Zealand traders, this means you are not protected by the local dispute resolution scheme. However, both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Always verify the specific licence number and check the broker’s terms for your country of residence before depositing.
| Payment Method | FBS | Moneta 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. | Internal Processing: Generally handled within 24 hours by the finance team.Credit/Debit Cards: 1 to 5 business days to fully reflect.Bank Wire / International Transfers: 3 to 5 business days to complete. |
New Zealand traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both FBS and Moneta Markets. FBS supports deposits from as low as $1 USD via e-wallets and USDT, with no deposit fees. Moneta Markets has a minimum deposit of $50 USD for most methods. Withdrawals at FBS are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers may take 2-5 business days. Moneta Markets processes withdrawals within 1-3 business days. Both brokers allow free withdrawals for certain methods, but check for any fees on bank transfers. USDT TRC20 is especially convenient for Kiwi traders who prefer crypto-based funding.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | Moneta 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 Moneta Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. FBS provides swap-free accounts on all account types upon request, with no extra fees. Moneta Markets offers Islamic accounts only on Standard accounts and may charge a small administrative fee after a certain holding period. If you trade frequently and hold positions overnight, FBS’s policy is more flexible and cost-effective for New Zealand Muslim traders.
| Support Feature | FBS | Moneta Markets | 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 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone. New Zealand traders can expect responses within minutes. Moneta Markets provides support during business hours (GMT+2) via live chat and email. For Kiwi traders in the NZDT time zone (GMT+13), FBS’s round-the-clock support is more convenient, especially during after-hours trading sessions.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Moneta 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | Moneta 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 Moneta Markets if you...
For New Zealand traders, FBS is the stronger choice overall due to its higher rating (3.7/5), flexible deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and 24/7 support. Its low minimum deposit and Islamic account availability make it accessible to a wider range of retail traders. Moneta Markets is a solid alternative if you prioritise raw spreads and high-volume trading, but its limited support hours and higher deposit minimum may be drawbacks. Neither broker is regulated by the local New Zealand financial regulator, so always trade with caution. Based on our analysis, FBS better suits most New Zealand traders in 2025.