Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian experienced traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, the choice between Forex.com and Libertex often comes down to trading style, platform preference, and cost structure. Both brokers are well-known globally and hold Australian Financial Services (AFS) licences, ensuring your funds are held in segregated accounts under Australian law. Forex.com, established in 2001, is a heavyweight in forex and CFD trading with deep liquidity and access to over 80 currency pairs. Libertex, founded in 1997, has evolved into a modern, intuitive broker with a strong focus on user experience and zero-commission trading on major forex pairs. In this 2025 comparison tailored for Australian traders, we evaluate spreads, deposit methods including BPAY and POLi, platform capabilities, and client support to help you decide which broker suits your needs. Whether you trade indices, commodities, or cryptocurrencies alongside forex, both brokers offer a competitive environment under strict ASIC oversight.
| Instrument | Forex.com | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 | Libertex |
When comparing trading costs for Australian traders, Libertex generally has an edge in spreads due to its commission-free model on major forex pairs. For example, EUR/USD spreads on Libertex are around 0.7 pips average, while Forex.com’s standard account offers 1.0 pips. However, Forex.com’s Raw Pricing account (spreads from 0.1 pips) plus a commission can be cheaper for high-volume traders, especially those trading beyond 10 standard lots per month. Libertex also charges an overnight fee expressed in spread, whereas Forex.com uses a typical swap rate. For Australian indices like ASX200, both brokers offer competitive spreads, but Libertex’s zero-commission model makes it more attractive for frequent traders. Always consider your typical trade volume and holding period when comparing costs.
| Account Type | Forex.com | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Experienced Australian traders will appreciate Forex.com’s robust platform suite, which includes MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and the proprietary Forex.com web trader. MT4 remains the gold standard for algorithmic trading and custom indicators. Libertex, on the other hand, offers its proprietary Libertex platform (web and mobile) alongside MT4. The Libertex platform is known for its intuitive design, one-click trading, and in‑depth charting tools, making it suitable for traders who value speed and simplicity. Both platforms support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4, though Forex.com’s MT4 integration is slightly more reliable for serious scalpers. For mobile trading, Libertex’s app is highly rated on iOS and Android in Australia.
| Factor | Forex.com | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 |
Execution quality is critical for experienced traders; Forex.com uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with STP/ECN liquidity, offering typical execution speeds below 40 ms. Libertex also uses NDD execution with aggregated liquidity, with similar speeds around 50 ms. Both brokers avoid re-quotes on standard market conditions, though Libetrex may experience slight latency during volatile news events. For scalping and high-frequency strategies, Forex.com’s dedicated server options and MT5 give a slight advantage, but Libertex holds its own for most intraday traders.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Forex.com and Libertex are regulated by ASIC under licence numbers 417168 (Forex.com) and 448066 (Libertex). This means Australian clients receive negative balance protection, client money segregation, and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. Leverage is capped at 30:1 for retail traders on major forex pairs, in line with ASIC’s 2021 intervention measures. There is no major difference in regulatory strength: both must comply with strict reporting and capital adequacy requirements. For experienced traders, this provides a safe environment, especially when using BPAY or POLi for deposits, as funds are handled by regulated entities.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing with Australian dollars is straightforward at both brokers. Forex.com and Libertex accept BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard). BPAY is popular for larger deposits because it avoids card fees, while POLi is instant and links directly to your Australian bank account. Minimum deposits at Forex.com are AUD 100 (bank transfer) or AUD 50 via credit card; Libertex requires a minimum deposit of AUD 100 for bank transfer, but credit card and POLi deposits can be as low as AUD 10. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for both brokers, though BPAY withdrawals may take 2-3 days. Forex.com charges no withdrawal fees for bank transfers over AUD 50, while Libertex offers one free withdrawal per month via bank transfer. Both support local currency accounts, avoiding unnecessary conversion fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Australian Muslim traders can request swap-free (Islamic) accounts from both Forex.com and Libertex, in compliance with ASIC regulations. Forex.com offers Islamic accounts on MT4 and MT5, with no swap charges on overnight positions, though some instruments may incur an administration fee. Libertex also provides Islamic accounts upon request, with zero swap on all instruments, but the company reserves the right to charge an administrative fee on long-term positions. Both brokers require that you do not hold positions for more than a set period (e.g., 7-10 days) to remain eligible. It is advisable to contact support directly to confirm terms and open the account.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support for Australian traders is available via live chat, phone, and email from both brokers. Forex.com offers dedicated Australian phone support (+61 2 8259 7300) with hours 9 am–6 pm AEST, plus 24/5 live chat. Libertex provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with phone support available in several languages, though not always with an Australian number. Response times are generally under 5 minutes for live chat, and both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their Australian websites.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For Australian experienced traders seeking an ASIC-regulated broker, Libertex (score 3.7) edges out Forex.com (score 3.4) due to its lower spreads on standard accounts, intuitive platform, and zero-commission trading on major forex pairs. The availability of BPAY and POLi deposits makes funding easy for local traders. However, Forex.com remains a strong contender for algorithmic traders and those who trade high volumes, thanks to its MT4/MT5 support and deeper liquidity. If you prioritise simplicity and cost-effectiveness for moderate trading, Libertex is the better choice. If you require advanced tools and raw spreads with commission, Forex.com is worth considering. Both are equally safe under ASIC regulation, so your final decision should be based on platform preference and trading style.