Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For New Zealand traders evaluating forex brokers in 2025, the choice between InstaForex and EasyMarkets hinges on trading style and cost preferences. InstaForex, scoring 3.7/5, caters to active traders with diverse account types and low spreads, while EasyMarkets (3.4/5) appeals to beginners with its fixed spreads and user-friendly platform. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support popular local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, neither is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), meaning NZ traders must rely on offshore oversight. This comparison breaks down fees, platforms, and key features to help you decide which broker aligns with your goals in the New Zealand trading environment.
| Instrument | InstaForex | 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 | $1 | $25 | InstaForex |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs are a critical factor. InstaForex offers variable spreads from 0.0 pips on ECN accounts with a $3 commission per lot, making it ideal for high-volume scalpers. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which protects against volatility but costs more over time. On a $10,000 monthly volume, InstaForex can save NZ traders up to $150 in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets has no hidden fees, while InstaForex charges inactivity fees after 3 months. Consider your trade frequency when choosing.
| Account Type | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | InstaForex |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | InstaForex |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | InstaForex |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
New Zealand traders get access to MetaTrader 4 and 5 on InstaForex, providing advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. EasyMarkets offers its proprietary web platform and mobile app, which is simpler but lacks advanced tools. For Kiwi traders who rely on EA trading or complex analysis, InstaForex is the better choice. EasyMarkets' platform includes risk management tools like deal cancellation, appealing to conservative traders. Both platforms are available in English and support NZD accounts.
| Factor | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | InstaForex |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
InstaForex uses market execution with no requotes, offering average execution speeds of 0.1 seconds on ECN accounts. EasyMarkets uses instant execution with fixed spreads, which can lead to requotes during volatile news events. For New Zealand traders who trade during Asian or US sessions, InstaForex provides more reliable fills, while EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect against slippage. Slippage is rare on both, but InstaForex handles high-frequency trading better.
| Safety Factor | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FSC BVI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither InstaForex nor EasyMarkets is regulated by New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority (FMA). InstaForex holds a license from the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in the British Virgin Islands, while EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus and ASIC in Australia. For New Zealand traders, this means no local investor protection or dispute resolution via the FMA. However, both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated accounts. Always verify the broker's license and consider the risks of trading with an offshore entity.
| Payment Method | InstaForex | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 2 to 6 business days | 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 their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. InstaForex also accepts local NZ bank transfers and credit cards, with minimum deposits starting at $1 (via USDT). EasyMarkets has a $100 minimum deposit for most methods. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while bank transfers take 1-5 business days. InstaForex charges no fees on deposits but has a $3 fee on withdrawals under $100. EasyMarkets is free for both but may apply conversion fees for NZD accounts. USDT TRC20 deposits are instant and fee-free on both platforms.
| Islamic Account Feature | InstaForex | 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 |
For New Zealand Muslim traders, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. InstaForex provides swap-free status on all account types without additional fees, though positions held beyond 7 days may incur a small charge. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts on request, with no swap charges but a maximum holding period of 30 days. This makes InstaForex more flexible for long-term traders, while EasyMarkets suits shorter-term positions. Always confirm the terms with customer support before opening an account.
| Support Feature | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | InstaForex |
New Zealand traders can reach both brokers via live chat, email, and phone. InstaForex offers 24/7 support in English, with response times under 2 minutes on live chat. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support with slightly slower email replies (up to 24 hours). Neither broker has a local NZ phone number, but both are responsive to queries from Oceania. InstaForex also has a comprehensive FAQ and video tutorials for Kiwi traders.
| Mobile Feature | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | InstaForex |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | InstaForex |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | InstaForex | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | InstaForex |
Choose InstaForex if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For New Zealand traders in 2025, InstaForex (3.7/5) edges out EasyMarkets (3.4/5) due to lower trading costs and greater account flexibility. Its support for local payments like Bank Transfer and USDT TRC20, combined with swap-free accounts, makes it suitable for a wide range of Kiwi traders. However, EasyMarkets remains a solid choice for beginners who prioritize simplicity and fixed costs. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator (FMA), so ensure you understand the offshore risks. Ultimately, if you trade actively or need advanced tools, choose InstaForex; if you prefer a straightforward experience, EasyMarkets delivers.