Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated forex brokers, Forex.com and EasyMarkets present two distinct options, both scoring 3.4 out of 5 in our comparative analysis. Operating under strict Australian financial regulations, each broker caters to experienced traders but with different philosophies. Forex.com, a global powerhouse with deep liquidity, appeals to those who prioritise tight spreads and advanced trading tools. EasyMarkets, known for its fixed spreads and innovative risk management features like guaranteed stop-losses, attracts traders who value cost certainty and simplicity. Both accept Australian dollar accounts and support local payment methods such as BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit cards, making them accessible to residents. This comparison examines their trading costs, platforms, regulatory protections, and deposit processes specifically for the Australian market, helping you decide which aligns better with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | Forex.com | 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 | $100 | $25 | Forex.com |
For Australian traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for high-volume strategies. Forex.com offers variable spreads starting from 0.2 pips on its Raw Pricing account (with a commission of $7 AUD per lot), making it highly competitive for scalpers and frequent traders. In contrast, EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads—typically 1.2 pips on EUR/USD and 1.5 pips on AUD/USD—with no commission, providing cost predictability. Over a month of active trading, Forex.com can save an Australian trader hundreds of dollars in spread costs, particularly on major pairs. However, EasyMarkets' fixed model protects against spread widening during news events, which may appeal to those trading volatile Australian dollar pairs like AUD/JPY or AUD/NZD.
| Account Type | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 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 | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Forex.com provides Australian traders with the powerful MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, alongside its proprietary web and mobile platforms. These offer advanced charting, custom indicators, and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), ideal for experienced algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, designed for simplicity and ease of use, plus MT4 for those needing advanced tools. For Australian traders who rely on EAs or complex analysis, Forex.com’s MT5 support gives an edge. EasyMarkets’ platform includes unique features like dealCancellation (allowing you to cancel a losing trade for a fee) and guaranteed stop-losses, which can be valuable in volatile markets like the ASX 200 or commodity currencies.
| Factor | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Forex.com uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with direct market access, offering fast order fills with minimal requotes, especially on major forex pairs. Its average execution speed is under 40ms, suitable for scalping and high-frequency strategies. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-losses, which can result in slightly slower execution but eliminates slippage on stop orders. For Australian traders trading volatile pairs like AUD/USD or indices like the ASX 200, Forex.com’s NDD model provides more reliable fills during high volatility, while EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stops protect against gap risk.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring they adhere to strict client money segregation and leverage limits (maximum 1:30 for retail traders). Forex.com holds an AFSL (number 417103) and is also regulated by the FCA, CFTC, and other top-tier bodies, offering an extra layer of oversight. EasyMarkets holds AFSL (number 416279) and is regulated by CySEC and the FSCA. For Australian traders, ASIC regulation ensures that funds are held in segregated accounts and cannot be used for operational expenses. This provides a high level of security, though leverage restrictions mean experienced traders may need to deposit more capital to achieve desired position sizes.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 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) |
Australian traders can fund their accounts using BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, or credit/debit cards with both brokers, all denominated in AUD. Forex.com also accepts PayPal and Neteller, while EasyMarkets adds Skrill and UnionPay. Deposits via card and POLi are typically instant and free, while BPAY and bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days: Forex.com charges no fees for bank transfers or e-wallets, while EasyMarkets covers withdrawal fees for the first withdrawal each month (then $10 AUD). Both brokers require identity verification before processing withdrawals, in line with ASIC’s anti-money laundering rules. For Australian traders, the availability of BPAY and POLi makes depositing convenient without needing international payment systems.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | 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 Forex.com and EasyMarkets offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Australian Muslim traders who cannot earn or pay interest (riba). Forex.com provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, including Raw Pricing and Standard, with no additional fees for holding positions overnight. EasyMarkets automatically offers Islamic accounts when selected during registration, with the same swap-free condition. However, EasyMarkets may apply an administrative fee if positions are held for extended periods (e.g., beyond 10 days), while Forex.com does not. Australian traders should confirm these terms with support before opening an account to ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Forex.com offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Australian phone line (+61 2 8015 8600) and support during Sydney business hours. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support (Sunday 10pm to Friday 10pm Sydney time) via live chat, email, and phone, with a local Australian number. Both brokers offer English-language support, but Forex.com’s extended hours and multilingual team may benefit traders needing after-hours assistance. Response times are generally under 2 minutes for live chat with both brokers.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Forex.com | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Australian traders, the choice between Forex.com and EasyMarkets depends on your trading style and priorities. Both are ASIC-regulated, accept local payments like BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit cards, and offer AUD-denominated accounts. Forex.com excels for experienced traders who need low spreads, fast execution, and advanced platforms like MT5, making it ideal for scalping and algorithmic trading. EasyMarkets suits those who prefer fixed costs and risk management features like guaranteed stops, which can be valuable in volatile markets such as the Australian dollar or ASX 200. If you trade high volume, Forex.com’s lower spreads will save you money. If you prioritise certainty and simplicity, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads and unique tools are compelling. Review your trading needs and test both with a demo account before committing.