Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For New Zealand traders looking to trade forex and CFDs, choosing between Exness and Tickmill can be challenging. Exness, with a score of 4.8/5, is a global powerhouse known for ultra-low spreads, high leverage, and a wide range of instruments. Tickmill, scoring 4.0/5, is a respected broker focused on competitive pricing and strong regulation. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. This comparison reveals which broker better suits the needs of retail traders in New Zealand, considering local trading conditions, costs, and regulatory environment.
| Instrument | Exness | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| 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 offers a slight edge. On the Standard account, spreads start from 0.3 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. Tickmill's Classic account has spreads from 1.6 pips, also commission-free. For raw spreads, Exness charges from 0.0 pips with a $2 commission per lot per side, while Tickmill charges $3 per lot per side. For a New Zealand trader executing 50 lots per month, Exness saves $100 in commission alone. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but Exness is more cost-effective for active traders.
| Account Type | Exness | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and Tickmill offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular platforms among New Zealand traders. Exness also provides its proprietary web platform and mobile app, which are user-friendly and feature advanced charting tools. Tickmill focuses exclusively on MT4/MT5, which may appeal to traders who prefer a familiar interface. For New Zealand traders who value flexibility, Exness's additional platforms are a plus. Both brokers offer VPS hosting for algorithmic traders, ensuring low latency execution.
| Factor | Exness | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 |
Both brokers offer fast execution with low latency. Exness uses a combination of STP and ECN models, providing execution speeds under 100ms. Tickmill also uses an ECN model with speeds around 50ms. For New Zealand traders, both brokers offer reliable execution, but Exness's larger liquidity pool may result in better fills during volatile market conditions.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key consideration for New Zealand traders. Exness is regulated by the FSCA (South Africa) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC. Neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in New Zealand, but both operate under international licenses that provide client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Tickmill's FCA regulation is considered more stringent, offering additional protection for UK clients, but for New Zealand traders, both brokers meet acceptable regulatory standards.
| Payment Method | Exness | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for New Zealand traders at both Exness and Tickmill. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Exness also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and local NZ bank transfers via POLi. Tickmill offers the same methods plus credit/debit cards. Deposits are instant with most methods, and withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Neither broker charges deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply for bank transfers. USDT TRC20 is a popular option for fast, low-cost transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. Exness provides swap-free accounts on all account types except for certain instruments like cryptocurrencies and some indices. Tickmill offers Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no swap fees on overnight positions. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying interest. New Zealand traders should request these accounts during registration to ensure compliance.
| Support Feature | Exness | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support is available 24/7 for both Exness and Tickmill. Exness offers live chat, email, and phone support in multiple languages, including English. Tickmill provides similar channels but with slightly slower response times on weekends. For New Zealand traders, Exness's support is more responsive and offers a dedicated account manager for higher-volume traders.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For New Zealand retail traders, Exness emerges as the stronger choice overall, thanks to its higher score (4.8 vs 4.0), lower trading costs, and wider range of deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Tickmill is a solid alternative for traders who prioritize regulatory security and a simpler platform. Both brokers are legally accessible to New Zealand clients and operate under international regulation. If you are an active trader looking for maximum cost efficiency and flexibility, Exness is the better option. If you prefer a more traditional, regulation-focused broker, Tickmill remains a reliable choice.