Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian traders seeking a reliable forex broker, the choice between Global Prime and EasyMarkets comes down to trading style and priorities. Both brokers are regulated by ASIC, offering strong local oversight and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Global Prime, with a 3.6/5 score, is known for its low-latency execution and tight spreads, appealing to experienced traders who prioritize cost efficiency. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, focuses on simplicity with fixed spreads and risk management tools like dealCancellation. Australian traders can fund accounts using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, or Credit Card, making both brokers accessible. This comparison explores key differences in trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local support to help you decide which broker aligns with your needs in the Australian market.
| Instrument | Global Prime | 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 | $0 | $25 | Global Prime |
When comparing trading costs for Australian traders, Global Prime offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs, plus a commission of $7 per lot round turn. This structure is ideal for high-volume traders who can benefit from lower variable spreads during liquid market hours. EasyMarkets, in contrast, provides fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, which suits traders who prefer predictable costs. For Australian traders trading AUD pairs like AUD/USD, Global Prime's spreads are typically 0.1 pips lower than EasyMarkets, making it more cost-effective for frequent trading. However, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect against widening during volatile news events, a trade-off worth considering.
| Account Type | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Global Prime | 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 | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Global Prime |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | Global Prime |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Global Prime |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime offers the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are popular among experienced Australian traders for their advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and custom indicators. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, designed for simplicity with one-click trading and risk management features like dealCancellation and Freeze Rate. For Australian traders who rely on algorithmic trading or complex analysis, Global Prime's MT4/5 is superior. For those who value ease of use and built-in risk tools, EasyMarkets' platform is more intuitive. Both brokers offer mobile access, but Global Prime's platform depth suits experienced users.
| Factor | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Global Prime |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Global Prime uses low-latency execution with no requotes and offers raw spreads, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Australia. EasyMarkets provides instant execution with fixed spreads, which can lead to slippage during volatile markets but ensures no requotes. For Australian traders trading during the Sydney or London sessions, Global Prime's execution speed is superior, while EasyMarkets' model suits those who prioritize order certainty over speed.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Global Prime and EasyMarkets are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), providing Australian traders with strong consumer protection. ASIC regulation ensures brokers adhere to strict capital adequacy requirements, client fund segregation, and transparent reporting. This means your funds are held in separate trust accounts with Australian banks. Additionally, both brokers are members of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), offering free dispute resolution. For Australian traders, this regulatory framework is crucial for peace of mind. While Global Prime has an additional license from the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) for offshore clients, its ASIC-regulated entity remains the primary choice for local traders.
| Payment Method | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. | 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) |
Australian traders can fund their accounts at both Global Prime and EasyMarkets using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. Global Prime processes deposits via POLi and bank transfers with no fees, while EasyMarkets offers instant processing for card and POLi deposits. BPAY is available for both, allowing direct payments from Australian bank accounts. For withdrawals, Global Prime processes requests within 24 hours on business days, with bank transfers taking 1-3 days. EasyMarkets offers same-day processing for e-wallets and card withdrawals, but bank transfers may take 1-2 days. Both brokers do not charge deposit or withdrawal fees, but Australian banks may impose charges for international transfers. Credit card deposits are accepted, though some cards may incur cash advance fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | Global Prime | 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 |
Global Prime and EasyMarkets both offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Australian Muslim traders who require compliance with Sharia law. These accounts eliminate swap or rollover interest on overnight positions, ensuring no riba (interest) is charged or earned. At Global Prime, Islamic accounts are available on request for all account types, with no additional fees. EasyMarkets provides swap-free accounts automatically for eligible clients, with the same trading conditions as standard accounts. Australian traders should note that holding positions for extended periods may still incur administrative fees on certain instruments. It's advisable to confirm account terms with each broker's support team to ensure full compliance with Islamic principles.
| Support Feature | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Global Prime |
Global Prime offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Australian-based staff available during Sydney trading hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual agents. For Australian traders, Global Prime's local support is more responsive during AEST hours, while EasyMarkets' 24/5 coverage is better for after-hours queries. Both brokers offer email support with response times under 24 hours, but Global Prime's live chat is faster for urgent issues.
| Mobile Feature | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Global Prime |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Global Prime |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | ✗ | 50+ videos | EasyMarkets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Global Prime |
Choose Global Prime if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Australian traders, the choice between Global Prime and EasyMarkets ultimately depends on your trading style and priorities. Global Prime excels with its raw spreads, low-latency execution, and advanced MT4/5 platforms, making it the preferred option for experienced traders focused on cost efficiency and algorithmic trading. Its ASIC regulation and local support add a layer of trust. EasyMarkets, while scoring lower overall, offers fixed spreads and innovative risk tools that appeal to traders seeking simplicity and predictability. Both brokers support BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits, ensuring convenient local funding. If you prioritize tight spreads and professional tools, choose Global Prime. If you value ease of use and risk management, EasyMarkets is a solid alternative. Always consider your trading volume and risk appetite when making your decision.