Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For New Zealand traders navigating the forex market in 2026, choosing between Exness and FP Markets is a critical decision. Both brokers are highly rated globally—Exness with a 4.8/5 score and FP Markets with 4.7/5—but they cater to different trading styles and preferences. Exness is renowned for its ultra-low spreads, flexible leverage up to unlimited, and a wide array of base currencies including NZD, making it a top choice for cost-sensitive traders. FP Markets, on the other hand, is a well-established Australian broker regulated by ASIC, offering advanced charting tools like TradingView and a comprehensive suite of educational resources. For New Zealanders, local factors such as deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20) and regulatory oversight from the local financial regulator are crucial. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and payment options to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in New Zealand.
| Instrument | Exness | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for New Zealand traders, Exness generally offers lower spreads than FP Markets. On Exness' Standard account, EUR/USD spreads start from 0.3 pips, while FP Markets' Standard account starts from 1.0 pips. For high-volume traders, Exness' Raw Spread account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3 per lot per side, whereas FP Markets' Raw account also offers 0.0 pips but with a commission of $3.5 per lot per side. This difference can significantly impact profitability for traders executing multiple trades daily. Additionally, Exness supports NZD as a base currency, eliminating conversion costs for New Zealand traders, while FP Markets primarily uses AUD, USD, or EUR, which may incur small conversion fees. Overall, Exness is more cost-effective for New Zealand retail traders.
| Account Type | Exness | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | Exness | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
For New Zealand traders, the choice of trading platform is vital. Exness offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and its proprietary WebTerminal, all of which are user-friendly and compatible with local internet speeds. FP Markets also provides MT4 and MT5, as well as the advanced IRESS platform for professional traders. FP Markets' integration with TradingView is a standout feature for charting enthusiasts. Both brokers offer mobile trading apps for iOS and Android, ensuring New Zealand traders can manage positions on the go. Exness' platforms are known for their speed and reliability, while FP Markets' IRESS offers deep liquidity and advanced order types. For most retail traders in New Zealand, Exness' simpler interface and low costs are preferable, but FP Markets' additional tools suit experienced traders.
| Factor | Exness | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is crucial for New Zealand traders, especially those using automated strategies. Exness offers ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast order processing and minimal slippage. FP Markets also provides ECN execution on its Raw accounts, with low latency and deep liquidity from multiple banks. Exness boasts an average execution speed of under 100 milliseconds, while FP Markets reports similar speeds. Both brokers have a 99.9% order execution rate. For New Zealand traders, Exness' unlimited leverage option can enhance execution in volatile markets, but FP Markets' ASIC-regulated leverage cap of 1:30 may provide more stability for risk-averse traders.
| Safety Factor | Exness | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key consideration for New Zealand traders. Exness is regulated by multiple tier-1 authorities including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), providing strong client protection through compensation schemes. FP Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which enforces strict client money segregation and leverage restrictions (maximum 1:30 for retail traders). Neither broker is directly regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand, but both accept New Zealand clients under their international licenses. For New Zealand traders, FP Markets' ASIC regulation offers familiarity with a regional regulator, while Exness' multi-regulatory framework provides broader protection. Always verify the broker's license before trading.
| Payment Method | Exness | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | 24 hours |
New Zealand traders benefit from a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods at both Exness and FP Markets. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making it easy to fund accounts in NZD or other currencies. Exness also accepts local bank transfers in NZD, while FP Markets supports credit/debit cards and PayPal. Deposits are typically instant with e-wallets and USDT TRC20, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed quickly: Exness offers same-day processing for e-wallets and USDT TRC20, while FP Markets takes 1-2 business days for most methods. Both brokers charge no fees for deposits or withdrawals, but bank transfers may incur intermediary bank charges. For New Zealand traders, Exness' faster withdrawal times and NZD support give it an edge.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 seeking swap-free accounts, both Exness and FP Markets offer Islamic accounts that comply with Sharia law. Exness provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and Zero) with no swap fees on overnight positions, and they can be opened easily via the client portal. FP Markets also offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw accounts, but traders must request this via customer support and provide a declaration of faith. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged or paid on positions held overnight, making them suitable for New Zealand traders observing Islamic finance principles. Exness' automatic activation is more convenient, while FP Markets' manual process may require additional steps.
| Support Feature | Exness | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support for New Zealand traders is available 24/7 at both Exness and FP Markets. Exness offers live chat, email, and phone support in English, with a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. FP Markets provides similar options, including 24/5 live chat and phone support, with a comprehensive FAQ section. Exness' support is generally faster, with average response times under 2 minutes for live chat, while FP Markets may take slightly longer. Both brokers have New Zealand-friendly hours due to their international presence, but Exness' 24/7 availability is a slight advantage for traders in different time zones.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | Exness | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For New Zealand traders in 2026, Exness edges out FP Markets due to its lower trading costs, NZD account support, and faster withdrawal options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects strong client trust and regulatory oversight from multiple tier-1 authorities. FP Markets, rated 4.7/5, remains a solid choice for traders who prioritize advanced platforms and ASIC regulation. However, for most retail traders in New Zealand, Exness offers better value with unlimited leverage and instant deposits. Consider your trading style: choose Exness for cost efficiency and speed, or FP Markets for platform depth and regulatory familiarity. Both brokers are reliable, but Exness is the recommended pick for New Zealand traders seeking maximum flexibility.