Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
FxOpen and EasyMarkets are both established forex brokers serving Australia traders under ASIC regulation. FxOpen, with a 3.7/5 rating, appeals to experienced traders through its ECN pricing, tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips, and support for MetaTrader 4 and 5. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, focuses on simplicity with fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and a proprietary web platform. For Australia traders, key differences include trading costs, platform flexibility, and account types. Both accept local payments like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, but FxOpen offers lower spreads for high-volume traders, while EasyMarkets provides fixed costs and risk management tools suited for beginners or those who value predictability. This comparison examines spreads, regulation, deposit methods, and support specifically for the Australian market, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in 2025.
| Instrument | FxOpen | 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 | FxOpen |
For Australia traders, trading costs are a major differentiator. FxOpen’s ECN account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $3.50 per side commission per lot, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Its Standard account has spreads from 1.2 pips with no commission. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 1.2 pips on EUR/USD, with no commissions, but these are wider than FxOpen’s ECN rates. Over 100 lots per month, FxOpen can save Australia traders $500+ in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads protect against slippage during volatile news events, which some Australia traders may prefer.
| Account Type | FxOpen | 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 | FxOpen | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FxOpen |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FxOpen |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FxOpen |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FxOpen | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FxOpen provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms for Australia traders who need advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. It also offers cTrader for ECN accounts, popular among scalpers. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, plus TradingView integration for charting. While EasyMarkets’ platform is user-friendly, it lacks the depth of MT4/MT5 for algorithmic trading. For Australia traders who rely on EA strategies or custom tools, FxOpen is the clear choice. EasyMarkets suits traders who prefer a simple, all-in-one platform with built-in risk management features like dealCancellation.
| Factor | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FxOpen |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FxOpen uses ECN/STP execution with no dealing desk interference, offering average execution speeds of 40-50ms. This suits scalpers and algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets uses market maker execution with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss, which eliminates slippage but may lead to requotes during volatile periods. For Australia traders who prioritize speed and transparency, FxOpen’s execution is superior. EasyMarkets is better for those who value trade certainty and risk control over raw speed.
| Safety Factor | FxOpen | 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 Australia traders benefit from strict client money segregation and negative balance protection. FxOpen holds AFSL 412871 and is also regulated by the FCA and CySEC, providing multi-jurisdictional oversight. EasyMarkets holds AFSL 246566 and is also regulated by CySEC and the FSCA. For Australia traders, ASIC regulation means both brokers must adhere to leverage limits (up to 1:30 for major forex pairs) and cannot offer binary options. This regulatory framework protects retail clients while allowing experienced traders to access professional accounts with higher leverage after meeting eligibility criteria.
| Payment Method | FxOpen | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | 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) |
Australia traders can fund both brokers using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). FxOpen also supports Neteller, Skrill, and UnionPay, while EasyMarkets adds PayPal and e-wallets. Minimum deposits are $100 at FxOpen and $25 at EasyMarkets. BPAY and POLi are processed instantly, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are free at both brokers, though EasyMarkets charges a $25 fee for bank transfers under $500. FxOpen processes withdrawals within 24 hours, while EasyMarkets takes 1-2 business days. For Australia traders, BPAY and POLi are the most convenient, as they avoid international transaction fees. Credit card deposits are also instant but may incur cash advance fees depending on the issuer.
| Islamic Account Feature | FxOpen | 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 FxOpen and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim Australia traders who cannot earn or pay interest. FxOpen provides swap-free accounts upon request, but after 7 days of holding a position, an admin fee of 0.1% of the notional value per day applies. EasyMarkets offers automatic swap-free status on all account types without any time limit or additional fees, making it more accommodating for long-term halal traders. Australia Muslim traders should confirm with each broker’s support about specific terms, as EasyMarkets’ policy is simpler and more cost-effective for those holding positions overnight.
| Support Feature | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FxOpen |
FxOpen offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated account managers for VIP clients. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and a callback service, plus a comprehensive FAQ. Both brokers support English, but EasyMarkets offers more languages including Arabic and Chinese. For Australia traders, response times are similar (under 1 minute on live chat), but FxOpen’s support is more technical, while EasyMarkets focuses on user-friendly assistance. Neither broker has a local Australian phone number, but both offer toll-free numbers.
| Mobile Feature | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FxOpen |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FxOpen |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FxOpen |
| Resource | FxOpen | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FxOpen |
Choose FxOpen if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Australia traders regulated by ASIC, FxOpen (3.7/5) is the stronger choice for experienced traders who prioritize low spreads, advanced platforms, and fast execution. Its ECN pricing and MT4/5 support make it ideal for scalping and algorithmic trading. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) appeals to risk-averse traders with its fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and simple platform. Both support local payments like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, but FxOpen offers better value for high-volume traders. Consider your trading style: if you need tight costs and flexibility, choose FxOpen; if you prefer predictability and ease of use, EasyMarkets is a solid alternative. Always verify ASIC registration and test with a demo account before committing funds.