Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Forex.com and FXTM are two of the most popular online brokers available to New Zealand traders in 2025. Both are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment. However, FXTM scores higher (4.3/5) compared to Forex.com (3.4/5) due to better spreads, faster deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and a wider range of account types suited for Kiwi retail traders. Forex.com offers robust platforms like MetaTrader 4 and its proprietary Web Trader, but higher costs and slower bank transfers make it less competitive for cost-conscious New Zealanders. This comparison covers fees, regulation, deposit methods, Islamic accounts, and execution quality to help you choose the right broker for your local trading needs.
| Instrument | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 | Forex.com |
For New Zealand traders, FXTM offers lower overall trading costs, particularly on Forex majors and NZD-cross pairs. Raw spreads start from 0.1 pips on FXTM’s ECN account, while Forex.com standard spreads average 1.0-1.5 pips. Commission structures also differ: FXTM charges $3.50 per lot commission on ECN accounts, whereas Forex.com includes spread markups. For high-volume traders, FXTM’s cost advantage becomes pronounced. New Zealand traders should also consider swap rates and overnight fees, which are more competitive on FXTM for long-term positions.
| Account Type | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | 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+ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, essential for many New Zealand traders who favour automated trading and custom indicators. Forex.com additionally offers its proprietary Web Trader platform and TradingView integration, appealing to technical traders. FXTM provides its own FXTM Trader app and mobile-friendly platforms, with good execution speed on local servers. For New Zealand traders who need low-latency access to Asian and US sessions, FXTM’s infrastructure is more optimised, while Forex.com’s broad platform choice better suits advanced chartists.
| Factor | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 |
FXTM boasts faster execution speeds, averaging under 30ms on its ECN infrastructure, beneficial for New Zealand traders trading volatile sessions. Forex.com offers reliable execution with minimal requotes, but average speeds are higher (around 50-80ms). Both use No Dealing Desk (NDD) models for Forex pairs, but FXTM’s liquidity aggregation provides tighter spreads and better fill rates for high-volume Kiwi traders.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
In New Zealand, both Forex.com and FXTM are regulated by the local financial regulator (likely the Financial Markets Authority), providing a high level of client protection. They segregate client funds and adhere to strict reporting requirements. Forex.com also holds multiple international licenses (FCA, ASIC), while FXTM is regulated in the EU and UK as well. For New Zealand traders, local regulation means access to dispute resolution services and negative balance protection, making both brokers equally safe in terms of regulatory oversight.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
New Zealand traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. FXTM processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, while USDT TRC20 deposits are also fast and low-cost. Forex.com supports these methods but may charge a small fee for Skrill/Neteller withdrawals (around 1%). For bank transfers, Forex.com typically takes 1-3 business days, while FXTM processes within 1 business day. Minimum deposit for FXTM is $10 via e-wallet, whereas Forex.com requires $50 via bank wire. USDT TRC20 is particularly useful for crypto-savvy Kiwi traders wanting near-instant funding.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. FXTM provides swap-free accounts on all account types with no time limit and no additional charges, making it more accommodating. Forex.com offers Islamic accounts but may apply a nominal administration fee after 14 days of holding positions overnight. Traders should verify current terms with each broker, as policies can change. FXTM’s simpler policy makes it the preferred choice for Islamic traders in New Zealand.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
FXTM offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with dedicated agents for New Zealand-based clients during market hours. Forex.com also provides 24/5 support but relies more on email and a comprehensive FAQ. Live chat response times are faster on FXTM (under 1 minute). Both brokers have localised phone numbers, but FXTM’s support is generally more responsive for retail traders.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For New Zealand retail traders in 2025, FXTM is the stronger choice overall with a 4.3/5 score compared to Forex.com’s 3.4. FXTM delivers lower spreads, faster execution, and better deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 – all key for Kiwi traders. Its Islamic account policy is also more accommodating. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, so safety is equal. Forex.com still appeals to traders wanting advanced platforms and a broader product range, but for cost-conscious New Zealanders, FXTM clearly leads. We recommend FXTM as the default broker for most New Zealand traders.