Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Australia traders comparing FBS and RoboForex in 2025 face two distinct options. FBS, with a rating of 3.7/5, is ASIC-regulated and offers local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making it a natural fit for Australian residents. RoboForex, rated 3.2/5, operates under an IFSC licence and provides more account flexibility but lacks direct ASIC oversight. For experienced traders prioritising regulatory safety and low-cost trading, FBS is the stronger choice. However, RoboForex appeals to those seeking higher leverage and diverse account types. Both brokers support AUD accounts and popular Australian deposit methods, but FBS’s ASIC licence gives it an edge for local traders who value consumer protection and transparent operations. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and compliance needs in Australia.
| Instrument | FBS | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | RoboForex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | RoboForex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | RoboForex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | RoboForex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 | RoboForex |
For Australia traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability. FBS offers spreads from 0.1 pips on its ECN account with a commission of $6 per lot, while RoboForex’s Pro account starts at 0.2 pips with a $4 commission per lot. On a standard lot of AUD/USD, FBS’s total cost (spread + commission) is approximately $7.60 AUD, compared to RoboForex’s $8.20 AUD. For high-volume traders executing 50 lots per month, FBS saves about $30 AUD in costs. Both brokers offer fixed spreads on standard accounts, but variable spreads on ECN/Pro accounts suit experienced traders. FBS’s lower overall costs make it more attractive for Australian scalpers and day traders.
| Account Type | FBS | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | RoboForex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and RoboForex support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms for Australian traders. FBS also offers its proprietary FBS Trader app, which is mobile-friendly and includes copy trading features. RoboForex provides cTrader in addition to MT4/MT5, appealing to traders who prefer advanced charting and ECN-style execution. For Australia traders, platform speed and reliability are crucial during volatile market sessions (e.g., Sydney open). Both brokers offer VPS hosting for automated trading, but RoboForex’s cTrader integration gives it an edge for algorithmic traders. However, FBS’s copy trading tool is more accessible for beginners.
| Factor | FBS | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | RoboForex |
| 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 an ECN/STP execution model with no requotes, offering average execution speeds of 30 milliseconds. RoboForex also uses ECN technology with speeds around 40 milliseconds. For Australia traders trading during the Asian session, both brokers provide reliable execution with minimal slippage. FBS’s slightly faster speeds and negative balance protection under ASIC make it more reliable for high-frequency traders. RoboForex offers higher leverage (up to 1:2000) but with less regulatory oversight.
| Safety Factor | FBS | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key factor for Australia traders. FBS is regulated by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) under AFSL 426359, providing strong consumer protection, negative balance protection, and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). RoboForex is regulated by the IFSC in Belize, which offers limited oversight compared to ASIC. While RoboForex is legal for Australian residents, it does not offer the same level of investor protection. For experienced traders who value regulatory certainty and local dispute resolution, FBS is the safer choice. RoboForex may appeal to traders comfortable with offshore regulation and seeking higher leverage options not permitted by ASIC.
| Payment Method | FBS | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 1 to 5 business days |
Australia traders can deposit and withdraw using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card at both FBS and RoboForex. FBS processes BPAY and POLi deposits instantly with no fees, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. RoboForex also supports these methods, but may charge a small fee for credit card deposits (1-2%). Withdrawals at FBS are free via bank transfer and POLi, while RoboForex charges a $10 AUD fee for bank withdrawals. Both brokers allow AUD-denominated accounts, avoiding currency conversion costs. Minimum deposits are low: FBS requires $10 AUD, RoboForex $10 USD (approx $15 AUD). For high-volume traders, FBS’s zero-fee local payments are more cost-effective.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Australian Muslim traders, both FBS and RoboForex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. FBS provides swap-free status on all account types without any time limit or additional fees, making it ideal for long-term positions. RoboForex offers Islamic accounts on its Pro and ECN accounts but charges an administrative fee after holding positions for more than 3 days. Australian traders should compare these terms: FBS is more accommodating for those who hold trades over weekends or for extended periods, while RoboForex is suitable for short-term traders who avoid overnight fees. Both brokers require a request for Islamic account activation via customer support.
| Support Feature | FBS | RoboForex | 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 customer support in English via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Australia phone number. RoboForex provides 24/7 support via live chat and email but lacks a local Australian number. Response times are similar (under 2 minutes for live chat), but FBS’s local presence gives it an edge for Australian traders needing immediate assistance during Sydney trading hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | RoboForex | 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 | RoboForex | 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 RoboForex if you...
For Australia traders, FBS is the clear winner in this comparison. Its ASIC regulation, lower spreads, and support for local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card make it the most convenient and cost-effective choice. RoboForex offers higher leverage and cTrader, but its weaker regulatory framework and slightly higher costs make it less suitable for most Australian traders. If you prioritise safety, low costs, and seamless local transactions, choose FBS. If you need extreme leverage or prefer cTrader, RoboForex remains a viable option, but always consider the regulatory trade-offs. Both brokers are legal in Australia, but FBS’s ASIC licence provides peace of mind that offshore brokers cannot match.