Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing FXTM vs Tickmill for Australia traders in 2026, both brokers stand out as ASIC-regulated choices, but they cater to slightly different needs. FXTM, with a score of 4.3/5, is known for its educational tools, wide range of account types, and strong customer support. Tickmill, scoring 4/5, excels in low-cost trading with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution. For Australia traders, the key differentiators include local payment methods like BPAY and POLi, which both brokers support, and the regulatory oversight of ASIC. FXTM offers more flexibility for beginners and intermediate traders, while Tickmill appeals to experienced traders seeking minimal costs. Understanding your trading style—whether you prioritize spreads, execution speed, or educational resources—will help you decide which broker aligns with your goals in the Australian market.
| Instrument | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | Tickmill |
For Australia traders, trading costs are a crucial factor. Tickmill offers lower spreads on its Raw account, starting from 0.0 pips with a $3 commission per lot per side, making it ideal for high-volume traders. FXTM's spreads start from 1.3 pips on its Standard account, with no commission, but the effective cost is higher for frequent traders. For example, trading 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, Tickmill's total cost is approximately $60 AUD in commissions, while FXTM's spread cost is around $130 AUD. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but Tickmill's cost advantage is clear for scalpers and day traders.
| Account Type | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Australia traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FXTM also provides its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile trading, while Tickmill focuses on MT4/MT5 with a clean interface. For Australia traders, the choice often comes down to personal preference: FXTM's additional tools like Trading Central and Autochartist are valuable for analysis, while Tickmill's platform is lightweight and fast. Both support VPS for automated trading.
| Factor | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is vital for Australia traders, especially scalpers. Tickmill offers faster execution with an average speed of 0.05 seconds and no requotes, thanks to its low-latency servers. FXTM also provides fast execution, but its average is around 0.1 seconds. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, ensuring transparency. Tickmill is slightly better for high-frequency trading, while FXTM is reliable for standard trading.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top priority for Australia traders, and both FXTM and Tickmill are licensed by ASIC. FXTM holds ASIC license number 472631, while Tickmill holds license number 472630. This means both adhere to strict Australian financial laws, including client fund segregation and participation in the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). For Australia traders, this provides peace of mind, as funds are held in separate accounts and are protected up to $1 million AUD under the Professional Indemnity Insurance scheme. Both brokers also comply with leverage restrictions, offering up to 30:1 for retail clients.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Australia traders can deposit and withdraw funds using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card at both FXTM and Tickmill. BPAY and POLi are particularly convenient for local traders, offering instant deposits with no fees. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days, while credit card deposits are instant but may incur a small fee (typically 1-2%). FXTM has a minimum deposit of $50 AUD, while Tickmill requires $100 AUD. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at both brokers, with bank transfers taking 1-3 days. Tickmill offers free withdrawals, while FXTM charges a small fee for certain methods. Both brokers support AUD accounts, eliminating currency conversion costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Australia Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant trading, both FXTM and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. FXTM provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no swap fees on overnight positions. Tickmill offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Raw accounts, requiring a declaration of faith. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged or earned, aligning with Islamic principles. Australia traders should request these accounts via customer support, and both brokers process requests within 24 hours. Note that some instruments may have limited availability on Islamic accounts.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
Both brokers offer 24/5 customer support, which suits Australia traders in the AEST timezone. FXTM provides live chat, email, and phone support in English, with faster response times (under 30 seconds on live chat). Tickmill also offers live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. FXTM has a slight edge with a dedicated Australia phone number, while Tickmill relies on international lines. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FXTM |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For Australia traders, the choice between FXTM and Tickmill depends on your trading priorities. FXTM offers a more comprehensive package with better support and educational tools, making it ideal for those who value guidance. Tickmill, with its lower costs and faster execution, suits experienced traders focused on minimizing expenses. Both are ASIC-regulated, support local payments like BPAY and POLi, and offer AUD accounts. If you trade frequently and want to save on spreads, Tickmill is the better option. If you prefer a broker with extensive resources and support, FXTM is a solid choice. Consider your trading volume and style to make the right decision.