Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand retail traders comparing FXCM and EasyMarkets face two well-established brokers with distinct strengths. FXCM, founded in 1999, holds a 3.5/5 rating and is known for its advanced trading tools and deep liquidity. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, appeals to Kiwi traders with its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads. Both brokers are regulated by a local financial regulator, ensuring a safe trading environment for New Zealand clients. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding their differences in spreads, platforms, and deposit methods—including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—is crucial for making an informed choice in 2025.
| Instrument | FXCM | 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 | $50 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs vary significantly between FXCM and EasyMarkets. FXCM offers variable spreads from 0.2 pips on its Raw Spread account with a $5 commission per lot, ideal for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on major pairs, with no commission, which suits smaller retail traders. Over 100 trades per month, FXCM's variable spreads can save up to 30% on costs compared to EasyMarkets' fixed structure. However, during volatile news events, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect Kiwi traders from sudden widening.
| Account Type | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $50 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 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 | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXCM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXCM provides MetaTrader 4, TradingView, and its proprietary Trading Station platform, offering advanced charting and automated trading via Expert Advisors. This suits New Zealand traders who use algorithmic strategies. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, along with MT4, but lacks TradingView integration. For Kiwi traders who prioritize simplicity and one-click trading, EasyMarkets' platform is more intuitive. Both platforms are available in English and support NZD as a base currency.
| Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FXCM uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with access to multiple liquidity providers, resulting in average execution speeds of 15ms. EasyMarkets operates a Market Maker model with fixed spreads, offering instant execution but potential requotes during high volatility. For New Zealand traders trading during Asian session overlaps, FXCM's NDD model provides tighter spreads and faster fills, while EasyMarkets' execution is more predictable for smaller lots.
| Safety Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXCM and EasyMarkets are regulated by a local financial regulator, providing New Zealand traders with client fund segregation and negative balance protection. FXCM is also licensed with the FCA and ASIC, adding an extra layer of oversight. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC and ASIC, ensuring compliance with international standards. For New Zealand clients, this means their funds are held in segregated accounts, and disputes can be escalated to the local regulator. Always verify the broker's registration status on the official regulator website before trading.
| Payment Method | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal Processing: FXCM reviews and processes requests in 1–2 business days.Credit or Debit Card: Arrives within 5 business days, though statements can take up to 1 billing cycle to update.Domestic Bank Wire: Arrives in 1–2 business days after processing.International Bank Wire: Arrives in 3–5 business days after processing. | 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) |
New Zealand traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FXCM requires a minimum deposit of $50 USD, while EasyMarkets asks for $100 USD. Bank Transfers typically take 1-3 business days, while Skrill and Neteller are instant. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes with no fees from either broker. Withdrawals are free at both brokers, but FXCM processes them within 1 business day, whereas EasyMarkets may take up to 2 days. Note that Bank Transfer withdrawals may incur intermediary bank fees. Both brokers allow withdrawals via the same method used for deposit.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXCM | 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 FXCM and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. FXCM's Islamic account is available on request and applies to all account types, but may have a limited holding period for certain instruments. EasyMarkets provides a dedicated Islamic account with no swap charges and no hidden fees, making it more transparent. Kiwi traders should confirm eligibility with customer support before opening an Islamic account. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging overnight interest on positions.
| Support Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXCM |
FXCM offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with a dedicated New Zealand phone number. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and callback service. EasyMarkets' support team is known for faster response times (under 30 seconds on live chat), while FXCM offers more comprehensive educational resources. Both brokers have helpful FAQ sections tailored to Kiwi traders.
| Mobile Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FXCM |
| Resource | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXCM |
Choose FXCM if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For New Zealand traders in 2025, FXCM edges out EasyMarkets with a 3.5/5 rating vs 3.4/5, primarily due to its superior platform selection and lower variable spreads for active traders. However, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads and simpler risk management make it a strong choice for beginners. Both brokers are regulated by a local financial regulator and support popular Kiwi deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Ultimately, FXCM suits experienced traders seeking cost efficiency, while EasyMarkets appeals to those valuing predictability and ease of use. Test both with demo accounts before committing capital.