Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For New Zealand traders in 2026, choosing between IG and FxPro depends on your trading style and priorities. IG, rated 4.2/5, is a market leader with over 17,000 instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares. It is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in New Zealand, offering strong local oversight. FxPro, rated 4.1/5, is a forex specialist known for tight spreads and fast execution on platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This comparison highlights key differences in costs, platforms, regulation, and support to help Kiwi traders decide.
| Instrument | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 | IG |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs vary between IG and FxPro. IG charges spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, with a $10 monthly inactivity fee after 24 months. FxPro offers spreads from 0.0 pips on cTrader but charges a $15 inactivity fee after 12 months. On a standard lot trade, FxPro's lower spreads save about $5 per trade for active scalpers. However, IG's commission on shares and ETFs can be higher for New Zealand traders focused on equities. Volume traders should compare total costs including swaps and commissions.
| Account Type | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| 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 | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IG |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IG |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IG |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
New Zealand traders benefit from both brokers' platform offerings. IG provides its proprietary web platform and mobile app, plus MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and ProRealTime. FxPro offers MT4, MT5, and cTrader, with advanced charting and algorithmic trading tools. IG's platform is more intuitive for beginners and includes integrated news and analysis. FxPro's cTrader is preferred by professional scalpers for its depth of market and fast execution. Both support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs).
| Factor | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IG |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FxPro boasts average execution speeds of 12-14 milliseconds, ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading. IG's execution is reliable but slightly slower at around 30-40 milliseconds. For New Zealand traders trading volatile forex pairs, FxPro's faster execution reduces slippage. IG compensates with deeper liquidity for large orders on indices and shares.
| Safety Factor | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IG is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in New Zealand, providing direct local oversight and client fund protection. FxPro is regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), but not directly by the FMA. For New Zealand traders, IG's FMA regulation offers stronger legal recourse and transparency. FxPro still complies with international standards, including negative balance protection and segregated accounts. Traders should consider IG's local regulation as an advantage for dispute resolution.
| Payment Method | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | 1 business day |
New Zealand traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with both brokers. IG has a minimum deposit of $250 via bank transfer, while FxPro requires $100. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and fee-free for both, though withdrawal fees may apply. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes and incur no network fees on either broker. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may involve intermediary bank charges. FxPro processes withdrawals faster, typically within 24 hours for e-wallets, while IG may take 1-2 days. Overall, FxPro offers more flexibility with lower minimums and quicker e-wallet payouts.
| Islamic Account Feature | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IG and FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. FxPro provides Islamic accounts on MT4 and MT5, with no swap charges on overnight positions. IG offers swap-free accounts upon request, but they may have limited instrument availability. FxPro's Islamic accounts are more straightforward to set up and apply to all forex pairs. Traders should check for any administrative fees that may replace swap charges.
| Support Feature | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IG |
IG offers 24/5 customer support via phone, email, and live chat, with a dedicated New Zealand phone line. FxPro provides 24/5 support in multiple languages, including English, via live chat and email. IG's local phone support is more convenient for New Zealand traders, while FxPro's chat response times are faster. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IG |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IG |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | IG |
| Resource | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IG |
Choose IG if you...
Choose FxPro if you...
For New Zealand traders in 2026, IG is the stronger choice if you value local FMA regulation, diverse asset coverage, and a user-friendly platform. FxPro wins on forex trading costs, execution speed, and payment flexibility with Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. If you trade mainly forex and want low spreads, FxPro is ideal. For a regulated, all-in-one broker with local support, IG is better. Both are reliable, but your decision should align with your trading style and asset preferences.