Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand traders evaluating Oanda vs EasyMarkets face a choice between two well-regulated brokers tailored to retail traders. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is a global veteran known for competitive variable spreads and advanced trading tools, while EasyMarkets (3.4/5) offers a simplified experience with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-losses—appealing to those seeking predictability. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment for Kiwi traders. They also support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals straightforward. This comparison focuses on New Zealand-specific factors such as trading costs, platform usability, and regulatory protections to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style.
| 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 New Zealand traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. Oanda’s variable spreads start from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, which can drop further with higher trading volume, making it ideal for cost-conscious scalpers. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on major pairs, protecting traders from slippage during volatile news events but resulting in higher costs per trade. Over 100 trades per month, Oanda can save a New Zealand trader up to 60% in spread costs compared to EasyMarkets. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed structure suits traders who prioritize budget certainty over variable savings.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice matters for New Zealand traders. Oanda offers its proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, and TradingView integration, catering to technical analysts and algorithmic traders. EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web platform and mobile app with a clean interface, plus MT4 for advanced users. For Kiwi traders needing fast execution and custom indicators, Oanda’s platform ecosystem is more versatile. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler, with built-in risk management tools like dealCancellation, which may appeal to beginners.
| 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 |
Execution quality differs between the brokers. Oanda uses a no-dealing-desk model with variable spreads, offering fast execution with minimal requotes, averaging 50-100ms latency from New Zealand servers. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, which can lead to slightly slower execution (100-150ms) but ensures guaranteed stop-losses without slippage. For New Zealand traders prioritizing speed, Oanda is superior, while EasyMarkets suits those who value order certainty.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for New Zealand traders. Both Oanda and EasyMarkets are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring compliance with New Zealand’s strict financial standards. This means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and brokers must adhere to transparent reporting. Oanda additionally holds licenses from multiple top-tier regulators (e.g., FCA, ASIC), adding an extra layer of security. EasyMarkets is also regulated by CySEC and ASIC, but its primary oversight in New Zealand comes from the local regulator, providing adequate protection for retail traders.
| 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) |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is seamless for New Zealand traders at both brokers. Oanda supports Bank Transfer (1-3 business days), Skrill (instant), Neteller (instant), and USDT TRC20 (minutes). EasyMarkets accepts the same methods with similar processing times. Minimum deposits are low: Oanda requires no minimum for most methods, while EasyMarkets sets a $100 minimum via bank transfer. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days at both brokers, with no internal fees. USDT TRC20 is particularly fast and cost-effective for crypto-savvy New Zealand traders, with no conversion charges. Always check with your bank for any intermediary fees on bank transfers.
| 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 |
New Zealand Muslim traders can access Islamic swap-free accounts at both Oanda and EasyMarkets. Oanda offers Islamic accounts upon request, waiving all overnight interest fees in compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides these accounts automatically without requiring additional documentation, simplifying the setup process. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts are available for all account types, allowing traders to trade forex and CFDs without incurring riba (interest). This makes both brokers suitable for New Zealand’s growing Muslim trading community.
| 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 |
Customer support is responsive at both brokers. Oanda offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with New Zealand-friendly hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and email support, with phone support during business hours. Both brokers have English-speaking teams, but Oanda’s support is slightly faster based on response times. EasyMarkets offers a local New Zealand phone number for direct assistance, which is a plus for Kiwi traders.
| 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 New Zealand traders, Oanda (3.6/5) is the stronger choice overall, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and a more versatile platform ecosystem—ideal for active retail traders. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) is a solid alternative for those who prioritize predictability with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-losses. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenience for Kiwi traders. If you trade frequently and seek cost efficiency, go with Oanda. If you value simplicity and risk control, EasyMarkets is a reliable option.