Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australia traders seeking a reliable, ASIC-regulated forex broker, the choice between Exness and Plus500 is critical. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is a powerhouse for experienced traders, offering ultra-tight spreads, lightning-fast execution, and a suite of advanced tools. In contrast, Plus500 (3.7/5) is a user-friendly CFD platform popular among beginners but lacks the depth needed for serious scalping or algorithmic trading. Both brokers are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring client funds are segregated and negative balance protection is in place. However, Exness edges ahead with local payment methods like BPAY and POLi, plus support for AUD accounts. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, deposits, and more, tailored specifically for Australia traders in 2026. Whether you're trading forex, indices, or commodities, understanding these differences helps you optimise costs and efficiency. Let's break down what each broker offers for the Australian market.
| Instrument | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Australia traders, Exness is the clear winner. Its Standard account offers spreads from 0.3 pips on EUR/USD, while the Zero account goes as low as 0.0 pips with a small commission. Plus500, by contrast, uses variable spreads that average 0.6-1.2 pips on major pairs, which adds up quickly for high-volume traders. For example, a trader executing 100 lots per month on AUD/USD would pay around $500 in spreads with Exness (Zero account) versus $1,200 with Plus500. Additionally, Exness charges no withdrawal fees, while Plus500 may apply fees for certain methods. Both brokers are commission-free on standard accounts, but Exness's raw spread model is significantly cheaper for active Australia traders.
| Account Type | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Exness offers the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), along with its proprietary WebTerminal and mobile apps. These platforms support algorithmic trading, custom indicators, and Expert Advisors (EAs), ideal for experienced Australia traders. Plus500 uses its own proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which are intuitive but lack advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. For Australia traders who rely on technical analysis or automated strategies, Exness is the superior choice. Plus500's platform is better suited for casual traders who prefer simplicity over depth.
| Factor | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 boasts ultra-fast execution speeds, with average order processing under 30 milliseconds, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Australia. It uses a hybrid model combining STP and ECN, ensuring minimal slippage. Plus500's execution is reliable but slower, averaging 100-200 milliseconds due to its market-making model. For Australia traders prioritising speed and precision, especially during volatile sessions like the Sydney open, Exness is the better choice.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and Plus500 are regulated by ASIC, which is a key consideration for Australia traders. ASIC regulation ensures strict compliance with client fund segregation, regular audits, and negative balance protection. Exness also holds additional licenses from the FCA and CySEC, offering an extra layer of oversight. Plus500 is primarily ASIC-regulated, with a focus on retail client protection. For Australia traders, ASIC regulation means your funds are held in segregated accounts, and you have access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. This makes both brokers trustworthy, though Exness's multi-regulatory status provides more robust safeguards.
| Payment Method | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3 business day |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is seamless for Australia traders at both brokers. Exness supports BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. Deposits via POLi and Credit Card are instant, while BPAY takes 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are free and processed within 24 hours for most methods. Plus500 also accepts BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, but withdrawals may take 2-5 business days for bank transfers. Both brokers allow AUD accounts, eliminating currency conversion fees. For Australia traders, Exness's faster processing and no-fee withdrawals make it more convenient, especially for active traders needing quick access to funds.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Australia Muslim traders seeking swap-free accounts, both Exness and Plus500 offer Islamic accounts compliant with Sharia law. Exness provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types (Standard, Zero, and Pro), with no swap charges on overnight positions. Plus500 also offers Islamic accounts, but only for clients in eligible countries, including Australia. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged or earned on positions held overnight. Exness's Islamic accounts are more flexible, as they are available across its full product range, while Plus500 limits them to retail CFD accounts. Australia traders should confirm eligibility with each broker before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness offers 24/7 multi-language customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Australia traders available during AEST business hours. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites. For Australia traders, Exness's round-the-clock support and faster response times (under 1 minute for live chat) give it an edge over Plus500, which can take longer to resolve complex queries.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Plus500 | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For Australia traders, Exness is the definitive winner with a 4.8/5 score versus Plus500's 3.7/5. Exness offers superior spreads, faster execution, and advanced platforms like MT4/MT5, making it ideal for experienced traders. It also supports local payment methods like BPAY and POLi, plus instant deposits and free withdrawals. Plus500 is simpler but falls short on cost and features, suiting only casual traders. Both are ASIC-regulated, but Exness's multi-regulatory status and better overall value make it the top choice for Australians in 2026. If you're serious about trading, Exness is the clear pick.