Global Prime vs EasyMarkets: Which Broker Suits New Zealand Traders?
Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — New Zealand Traders
New Zealand retail traders evaluating Global Prime vs EasyMarkets face a clear choice between cost efficiency and user-friendly features. Global Prime, with a 3.6/5 rating, is an Australian-based ECN broker known for raw spreads and fast execution, appealing to active traders in New Zealand who prioritise low costs. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is a Cyprus-based broker offering fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-losses, and a simpler trading experience, ideal for beginners or those who prefer predictable costs. Both brokers accept NZD deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making them accessible to Kiwi traders. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, they operate under reputable licenses. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, and payment methods specifically for New Zealand traders.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| 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 |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs differ significantly between Global Prime and EasyMarkets. Global Prime uses raw ECN pricing with spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, plus a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. EasyMarkets operates as a market-maker with fixed spreads, EUR/USD starting at 1.2 pips, and no commission. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Global Prime's total cost is around $70 USD, while EasyMarkets costs approximately $120 USD in spreads alone. High-volume New Zealand traders will save substantially with Global Prime, while low-frequency traders may prefer EasyMarkets' fixed costs.
Account Types Comparison
| 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 |
Leverage Comparison - New Zealand Traders
| Entity / Asset | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| 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 |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), both popular among New Zealand traders for advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web platform, mobile app, and MT4. For Kiwi traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic strategies, Global Prime's MT4/MT5 support is superior. EasyMarkets' platform is more intuitive for manual traders, with built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation. Both platforms are available in English and support NZD accounts, but Global Prime's execution speed and platform customisation edge out EasyMarkets for active users.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| 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 offers ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, providing fast order fills and minimal slippage. EasyMarkets uses a market-maker model, which can result in requotes or slippage during volatile markets. For New Zealand traders trading news events or scalping, Global Prime's execution is superior. EasyMarkets' guaranteed stop-loss feature, however, offers protection against slippage on stop orders. Order execution speed at Global Prime averages under 40 milliseconds, while EasyMarkets is slightly slower due to its dealing desk process.
Regulation & Safety for New Zealand Traders
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Neither broker is directly regulated by New Zealand's local financial regulator, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). However, ASIC regulation is considered robust and offers strong client fund protection. For New Zealand traders, this means you trade under a reputable jurisdiction, but you should verify the broker's terms for offshore clients. Both brokers segregate client funds and participate in compensation schemes (e.g., ASIC's client money rules, CySEC's ICF up to €20,000).
Deposits & Withdrawals for New Zealand
| 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) |
New Zealand traders can fund accounts at both Global Prime and EasyMarkets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Global Prime also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, with a minimum deposit of $200 USD. EasyMarkets has a lower minimum of $100 USD and supports POLi, a popular New Zealand bank transfer method. Withdrawals are processed similarly: Skrill and Neteller are instant, Bank Transfer takes 1-3 business days, and USDT TRC20 is usually within minutes. Global Prime charges no deposit or withdrawal fees, while EasyMarkets may apply a fee for bank wire withdrawals over a certain limit. For Kiwi traders using cryptocurrency, USDT TRC20 is a fast, low-cost option at both brokers. Always verify current processing times, as they can vary based on payment provider.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for New Zealand Muslims
| 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 |
Both Global Prime and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. Global Prime provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types, exempting overnight interest on positions held beyond the daily rollover. EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts with no swap charges, but you must contact customer support to activate it. Note that both brokers may restrict Islamic accounts to certain trading styles or impose a holding period limit (e.g., 30 days) to prevent abuse. New Zealand traders should confirm eligibility and any applicable fees before opening an Islamic account.
Customer Support Comparison
| 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 English-speaking agents available 24/5. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support, plus a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. For New Zealand traders, EasyMarkets' 24/5 support aligns well with NZT business hours, while Global Prime's support is also responsive. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites. Response times are generally under 5 minutes for live chat at both brokers.
Mobile App Comparison
| 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | Global Prime | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | ✗ | 50+ videos | EasyMarkets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Global Prime |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Global Prime
EasyMarkets
Who Should Use Which Broker? - New Zealand Guide
Choose Global Prime if you...
- Are an active or high-volume New Zealand trader seeking low spreads and commission-based pricing.
- Use automated trading strategies or Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5.
- Prefer ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention for faster fills.
- Need access to multiple payment methods including USDT TRC20 and Skrill.
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
- Are a beginner or low-frequency trader who prefers fixed spreads and predictable costs.
- Value risk management tools like guaranteed stop-losses and dealCancellation.
- Want a lower minimum deposit ($100 USD) and support for POLi bank transfers.
- Trade manually and prefer a simple, intuitive platform without complex features.
FAQ - Global Prime vs EasyMarkets in New Zealand
Final Verdict - New Zealand 2026
For New Zealand traders, Global Prime is the better overall choice due to its lower trading costs, superior execution, and strong regulatory oversight by ASIC. Its 3.6/5 rating reflects its suitability for active retail traders who want to minimise spreads and commissions. EasyMarkets, with a 3.4/5 rating, is a solid alternative for beginners or those who value fixed costs and risk protection. Both brokers support New Zealand-friendly payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but Global Prime's raw ECN model offers greater long-term savings. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, Global Prime's ASIC license provides stronger client fund safeguards. Ultimately, choose Global Prime for cost efficiency and EasyMarkets for simplicity.