IC Markets vs RoboForex for New Zealand Traders (2026)

IC Markets offers two main account types for New Zealand clients: Raw Spread and Standard. On Raw Spread, you pay spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD plus a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. On the Standard account, there is no commission but spreads average around 0.8 pips. RoboForex also offers Standard, Raw, and Prime accounts, with raw spreads starting at 0.0 pips, but its effective commissions are higher and standard account spreads often exceed 1.2 pips. For an active NZ trader executing 20 standard lots per week in USD pairs, the annual spread difference can be thousands of dollars. IC Markets also charges lower swap rates on USD pairs, which benefits New Zealand swing traders holding positions overnight. If you trade with a USD-denominated account, IC Markets gives you a clear cost advantage over RoboForex.

IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView, making it one of the most platform-diverse brokers available to New Zealand traders. cTrader offers depth-of-market and advanced order management, while TradingView brings modern charting and social sharing. RoboForex offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, plus its proprietary R StocksTrader and WebTrader. However, RoboForex does not offer cTrader or TradingView, which is a significant gap for NZ traders who rely on algorithm-friendly charting. IC Markets also has a better integration with algo trading and EAs, and its servers are located in New York and London, providing lower latency from New Zealand. RoboForex's European servers can cause slower order transmission for traders in Oceania, which leads to higher execution risks during fast-moving sessions.

IC Markets uses ECN/STP execution with multiple liquidity providers and an average execution speed of around 40 milliseconds. It also provides negative balance protection on its regulated entities. RoboForex also claims ECN/STP execution, but its speed and stability are less consistent, especially during high-impact news. NZ traders who scalp or trade during the London/New York overlap will benefit from IC Markets' lower latency and tighter order books. RoboForex is acceptable for swing trading but may experience re-quotes and slippage when volatility spikes. Overall, IC Markets is better suited to traders who need precise entry and exit execution.

IC Markets is regulated by ASIC in Australia, CySEC in the European Union, and the FSA in Seychelles. RoboForex is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Belize. For New Zealand traders, the key difference is regulatory quality. ASIC and CySEC impose strict capital requirements, client money segregation, and external dispute resolution, which gives IC Markets a clear safety edge. RoboForex's Belize license offers only minimal oversight and no independent compensation scheme. Neither broker holds an FMA license in New Zealand, so your protection is limited to the foreign jurisdiction. Use the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) website to check for any warnings before depositing. If you prioritise fund safety and transparent conduct, IC Markets is the more reliable option for New Zealand retail traders.

New Zealand traders can fund both IC Markets and RoboForex using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, all of which support USD-denominated accounts. Bank transfers from ANZ, ASB, or Westpac take 1 to 3 business days and may include international SWIFT fees of around NZD 15-30. Skrill and Neteller offer instant deposits and are popular for smaller amounts, though you should check currency conversion fees when transferring NZD to USD. USDT TRC20 is the fastest and cheapest method, with transactions arriving within minutes and minimal network costs. IC Markets has a minimum deposit of $200 USD, while RoboForex requires only $10 USD. Withdrawals are usually processed to the same method; IC Markets typically approves withdrawals within 24 hours, whereas RoboForex can take 1 to 2 business days. Using USDT TRC20 or Skrill/Neteller avoids many of the delays and banking fees NZ traders face with traditional bank wires.

Both IC Markets and RoboForex offer Islamic swap-free accounts to accommodate New Zealand Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free conditions on its Standard and Raw accounts, but there may be restrictions on long-term positions and certain instruments. RoboForex offers swap-free accounts on most account types, including Standard, Raw, and Prime, which gives Muslim traders more flexibility. However, RoboForex does not always make swap-free terms transparent, so you may need to contact support to activate them. IC Markets lists its swap-free policy clearly on the website, making it easier to verify. New Zealand-based traders who follow Sharia finance should confirm the holding period and product exclusions before opening an Islamic account with either broker.

IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, with average chat response times under two minutes. RoboForex also provides 24/7 online chat and email, but response times are slower, often around five minutes or more. Since New Zealand is in the GMT+12 timezone, IC Markets' Australian-based support team is especially convenient for urgent issues. RoboForex's European support hours can cause delays during the NZ evening. For language, both brokers support English and many other languages. If you need reliable assistance during the New Zealand trading day, IC Markets has the stronger support setup.