Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian forex traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, the choice between Oanda and EasyMarkets often comes down to trading style and cost preferences. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is a global giant known for its transparent pricing, powerful trading tools, and deep liquidity, making it a strong fit for experienced traders who value flexibility and advanced analytics. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, differentiates itself with fixed spreads, a unique 'Deal Cancellation' feature, and a user-friendly platform that appeals to traders who prefer predictable costs. Both brokers hold Australian Financial Services (AFS) licenses from ASIC, ensuring local regulatory oversight and client fund protection. When trading in AUD, both offer local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, streamlining deposits and withdrawals. This comparison dives into the specific strengths of each broker for Australian traders, covering spreads, platforms, regulation, and local support to help you decide which aligns with your trading goals.
| Instrument | Oanda | 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 | Oanda |
For Australian traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those executing high volumes. Oanda offers variable spreads starting from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission on standard accounts, making it cost-effective for frequent traders. However, spreads can widen during volatile periods. EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads from 1.2 pips on major pairs, ensuring cost certainty regardless of market conditions, but this can be less competitive during calm markets. For Australian traders dealing in AUD pairs like AUD/USD, Oanda's spreads are typically tighter, while EasyMarkets' fixed rates simplify budgeting. Volume-based discounts are available at Oanda for larger trades, whereas EasyMarkets' fixed model does not vary with volume.
| Account Type | Oanda | 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 | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 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 | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Oanda |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Oanda |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Oanda |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda excels with its proprietary platform suite, including Oanda Trade (web and mobile) and integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView, catering to experienced Australian traders who need advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and custom indicators. EasyMarkets offers its own web-based platform and mobile app, along with MT4, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. For Australian traders who rely on automated strategies or complex analysis, Oanda's platform ecosystem is superior. EasyMarkets' platform is ideal for those who prefer a streamlined experience with features like 'Deal Cancellation' and guaranteed stop-loss orders, which can be particularly useful for managing risk in volatile markets.
| Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Oanda |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Oanda uses a no-dealing desk (NDD) model with straight-through processing (STP), ensuring fast execution with minimal slippage, which is ideal for experienced traders who rely on precise entries. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model, which can provide guaranteed stop-loss orders and fixed spreads but may result in requotes during high volatility. For Australian traders trading major pairs like AUD/USD, Oanda's execution is generally faster and more transparent, while EasyMarkets' guaranteed stops offer peace of mind for risk-averse strategies.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Oanda and EasyMarkets are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), providing a high level of investor protection for Australian traders. Oanda holds AFSL 185034, while EasyMarkets holds AFSL 246566, ensuring compliance with Australian financial laws, including client fund segregation and participation in the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) scheme. This means Australian traders have recourse in case of disputes. Additionally, both brokers adhere to ASIC's leverage restrictions (max 1:30 for retail clients) and negative balance protection, which is crucial for managing risk. This local regulation gives Australian traders confidence that their funds are handled securely.
| Payment Method | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 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) |
Australian traders can fund both Oanda and EasyMarkets accounts using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), all denominated in AUD. Oanda also supports PayPal, while EasyMarkets accepts Skrill and Neteller. Deposits via POLi and Credit Card are instant, while BPAY and Bank Transfer may take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for both brokers, with Oanda offering free withdrawals via bank transfer and EasyMarkets charging a small fee for certain methods. Notably, EasyMarkets does not charge deposit fees, but Oanda may apply fees for specific payment methods. Both brokers support AUD bank accounts, eliminating currency conversion costs. For Australian traders, POLi and BPAY are particularly convenient as they integrate directly with local banking systems.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | 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 Oanda and EasyMarkets offer Islamic swap-free accounts for Australian Muslim traders who require compliance with Sharia law, which prohibits earning or paying interest (riba). EasyMarkets provides a dedicated Islamic account with no swap fees on overnight positions, and it is available to all clients upon request. Oanda also offers swap-free accounts, but traders need to contact support to activate this feature, and it may not be available for all account types. Both brokers ensure that no interest is charged or credited on positions held overnight. For Australian Muslim traders, EasyMarkets' straightforward application process may be more convenient, while Oanda's offering is still accessible but requires a manual request.
| Support Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
Oanda offers 24/5 customer support via phone, email, and live chat, with a dedicated Australian phone number and local business hours support. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, with an Australian contact number. Both brokers have responsive teams, but Oanda's support is often praised for its technical expertise, which can benefit experienced traders. EasyMarkets' support is known for being friendly and efficient, particularly for account-related queries. For Australian traders, both offer local language support and timely responses.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Oanda |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Oanda |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Resource | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Oanda |
Choose Oanda if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For Australian traders, the choice between Oanda and EasyMarkets hinges on your trading style and priorities. Oanda (3.6/5) is the better pick for experienced traders who demand low spreads, powerful platforms, and fast execution, especially when trading AUD pairs. Its local payment support (BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, Credit Card) and ASIC regulation make it a reliable choice. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) stands out with its fixed spreads and innovative risk management features, making it suitable for traders who value cost certainty and simplicity. While both are ASIC-regulated and offer strong local support, Oanda's superior pricing and platform ecosystem give it an edge for advanced users. If you're an experienced Australian trader seeking a robust, low-cost broker, Oanda is the recommended option. However, if you prioritize fixed costs and unique risk tools, EasyMarkets is a solid alternative.