Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing the right forex broker is critical for New Zealand traders navigating volatile markets. Exness and Oanda are both globally recognised platforms, but their offerings differ substantially for Kiwi users. Exness, rated 4.8/5, excels with ultra-low spreads, high leverage up to unlimited on certain accounts, and multiple deposit methods including Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Oanda, with a 3.6/5 score, relies on its strong reputation and FMA regulation in New Zealand but lacks the modern payment flexibility and cost efficiency that local retail traders demand. Whether you trade NZD/USD, AUD/USD, or cross pairs, this comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and local support to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | Exness | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Oanda |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Oanda |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Oanda |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Oanda |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | Oanda |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability, especially with high-volume strategies. Exness offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs with a commission of $3 per lot round turn, while its standard account has spreads averaging 0.3 pips with no commission. Oanda's standard spreads are wider, typically 1.0–1.5 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission but a premium baked into the spread. Over 100 trades, Exness saves a typical Kiwi retail trader 50–80 USD in costs. Moreover, Exness has no hidden fees on deposits via Bank Transfer or e-wallets, whereas Oanda may charge for certain withdrawal methods. For cost-sensitive traders in New Zealand, Exness is clearly more economical.
| Account Type | Exness | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:100 |
| 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 | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Oanda |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the preferred platforms for New Zealand traders due to their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Exness also provides a proprietary web terminal and mobile app with seamless integration for USDT TRC20 deposits. Oanda offers its own fxTrade platform alongside MT4, which is known for excellent order execution but lacks the same level of customisation. For Kiwi traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic trading, Exness’s MT5 support and low latency servers in Asia Pacific provide a slight edge. Oanda’s platform is reliable but feels dated compared to Exness’s modern interface.
| Factor | Exness | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Oanda |
| 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 |
Exness uses a combination of STP and ECN execution with no requotes, typically filling orders within milliseconds. This suits scalpers and high-frequency traders in New Zealand. Oanda offers market execution with some slippage during volatile periods, but its dealing desk model ensures high liquidity. Overall, Exness provides faster execution and greater transparency, making it the preferred choice for active New Zealand traders.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a top concern for New Zealand traders to ensure fund safety. Exness is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles and holds additional licenses from the CySEC and FCA for international clients. While not directly supervised by the FMA, Exness compensates with negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Oanda is directly regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in New Zealand, providing local oversight. However, Oanda’s FMA regulation comes with lower leverage limits (max 30:1 for forex) compared to Exness’s flexible leverage up to 1:2000 under its international license. Traders seeking higher leverage may prefer Exness, while those prioritising local regulatory comfort might choose Oanda.
| Payment Method | Exness | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 to 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is seamless for New Zealand traders with Exness, which supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank Transfers are free and processed within 1–2 business days, while e-wallets are instant. USDT TRC20 deposits are credited within minutes with zero fees—ideal for crypto-savvy Kiwis. Oanda also accepts Bank Transfer and Skrill, but notably lacks Neteller and USDT TRC20 support. Withdrawals at Exness are also faster, often processed within 24 hours, while Oanda may take 1–3 business days. For New Zealand traders who value speed and multiple options, Exness clearly leads in payment flexibility.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Exness offers swap-free Islamic accounts (zero rollover interest) for New Zealand Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. The accounts are available on both Standard and Raw Spread accounts with no extra fees, though positions held longer than 3 days may incur a nominal admin fee. Oanda does not provide Islamic accounts at all. Therefore, New Zealand traders seeking halal forex trading have no alternative but to choose Exness. The application process is simple via account settings, making it a convenient option for the local Muslim community.
| Support Feature | Exness | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness provides 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team that responds in under 30 seconds on average. New Zealand traders can reach support during local business hours or after hours. Oanda’s support is also available 24/5 via phone and email, but lacks live chat. Response times can be slower during peak periods. For Kiwi traders requiring instant assistance, Exness’s round-the-clock support is more reliable.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Oanda | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Oanda |
| Resource | Exness | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Oanda if you...
For the majority of retail traders in New Zealand, Exness outperforms Oanda across nearly every metric: lower costs, more payment options including USDT TRC20 and Skrill, higher leverage, and superior execution. While Oanda offers local FMA regulation, its higher spreads, limited deposit methods, and lack of Islamic accounts restrict its appeal. Exness scores 4.8/5 compared to Oanda's 3.6/5, and its ability to support fast deposits and withdrawals via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 makes it the ideal broker for modern Kiwi traders. Unless you prioritise direct local regulation above all else, Exness is the better choice for trading in New Zealand in 2025.