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An exceptional broker is your ticket to success in the vibrant world of online trading. That said, hundreds of service providers offer trading platforms in New Zealand. But here’s the catch. A handful of the available trading platforms have everything you need to achieve astronomical success. In fact, more than a few are hellbent on separating you from your hard-earned money.
But don’t worry. We are here to help you find a reliable broker and avoid unscrupulous entities. Our experts dedicated countless hours to researching and studying the companies operating in New Zealand. After gathering sufficient insights, we cherry-picked 5 of the best service providers. We urge you to consider trading with them today.
In a Nutshell
- A trader’s overall success is determined by numerous factors, including the trading platform they interact with.
- If you want to hit your trading goals, trade with an outstanding broker. Use factors like licensing, fees, and supported software to vet every service provider’s suitability.
- For your safety and security, interact exclusively with trading platforms licensed and regulated by acknowledged authorities like the FMA, the FCA, and ASIC.
- Before preparing this guide, we researched, tested, and compared the brokers operating in New Zealand. Rest assured that the service providers we’ve recommended here are the best of the best.
- To ensure we provide well-rounded insights, we read each platform’s reviews and testimonials on Trustpilot, Google Play, and the App Store.
- Our guide is unbiased and based on first-hand experience. But, do diligent research before trading with any of the platforms outlined here.
List of the Best Trading Platforms
- Plus500* – Overall Best CFD Trading Platform
- eToro – Best Platform for Stock Traders
- Spreadex – Best Trading Platform for Professionals
- AvaTrade – Best Trading Platform for Beginners
- FxPro – Best Platform for Forex Traders
Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
In This Guide
Compare Trading Platforms in New Zealand
A little research should reveal thousands of trading brokers available today. And a significant percentage of these service providers accept traders from New Zealand. Consequently, you may wonder how we selected the trading platforms in this guide. The answer is simple.
We assigned our team of experts one crucial task: researching, evaluating, and comparing the trading platforms in New Zealand. While doing so, we singled out the service providers that stood out from the crowd in terms of security, product offerings, charges, and more. Our experts have been doing this for years; rest assured that the brokers in our guide deserve to be here.
Before featuring any broker in our guide, we vet and compare them with their peers. We also check out their ratings and reviews on Trustpilot, Google Play, the App Store, and other established platforms. In the table below, we’ve summarized what we discovered while evaluating the best trading platforms in New Zealand.
| Best Trading Platform New Zealand | License & Regulation | Support Service | Software | Payment Method | Demo Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus500* 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. | FMA, FSCA, CySEC (#250/14), FCA, ASIC, MAS | 24/7 | Plus500 Invest, Plus500 CFD, Plus500 Futures | Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Skrill, Bank transfer | Yes |
| eToro | FMA, FCA, CySEC, FSCA, ASIC, SFSA ADGM, MFSA, FSAS, GFSC, SEC | 24/5 | eToro investing platform and app, Multi-asset platform, Social Trading, Copy Trader, Smart Portfolios | Credit/debit cards, Bank transfer, Klarna, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller | Yes |
| Spreadex | FMA, FCA | 24/5 | Online platform, Mobile trading, Charting package, TradingView | Credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Bank transfer | No |
| AvaTrade | FMA, FCA, FSCA, CBI, CySEC, PFSA, ASIC, B.V.I FSC, FSA, ADGM, ISA | 24/5 | WebTrader, AvaOptions, AvaTrade App, Mac Trading, MT4, MT5, Automated Trading | Credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Wire transfer, WebMoney | Yes |
| FxPro | FMA, FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB | 24/5 | FxPro Mobile App, MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro WebTrader | Credit/debit cards, Bank wire transfers, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal | Yes |
Platforms Overview
We didn’t pick the best trading platforms in New Zealand solely based on the factors outlined in the comparison table above. Our team also considered fees and assets since we are fully aware that these two elements can affect your profitability and overall trading experience.
Remember, trading with an affordable platform that offers your favorite assets is the key to increasing your returns and enhancing your experience. With that in mind, the table below will help you pick a fitting broker from our list of the best trading platforms in New Zealand based on fees and assets.
Fees
| Best Trading Platform New Zealand | Minimum Deposit Requirement | Commission/ Spreads | Deposits/ Withdrawals | Inactivity Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus500* | $100 | From 0% | Free | $10 monthly |
| eToro | $1,000 | From 0% | $5 withdrawal fee | $10 monthly |
| Spreadex | $0 | 0.6 pts | Free | $0 |
| AvaTrade | $100 | From 0.13 pips | Free | $50 after every 3 consecutive months of inactivity |
| FxPro | $100 | From $3.50 per lot | Free | $10 monthly |
Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Assets
| Best Trading Platform New Zealand | Stocks | Forex | Crypto | Commodities | Indices | ETFs | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus500* (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| eToro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spreadex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AvaTrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FxPro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Our Opinion about Trading Platforms in New Zealand
The best trading platforms are authorized and regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). We’d like to point that out before proceeding. Now, let’s dissect the best trading brokers in New Zealand. Everything you’ll read, including our opinions and insights, is rooted in extensive research and first-hand experience.
1. Plus500 – Overall Best CFD Trading Platform
FMA-licensed Plus500 is our overall best trading platform. Also, Plus500CY Ltd authorized & regulated by CySEC (#250/14). Several exciting aspects caught our eye while we were evaluating and testing this broker with its peers. First, it offers CFDs on over 2800 assets, from shares and cryptocurrencies to commodities and indices. The platform also gives forex enthusiasts access to over 60 currency pairs (CFDs), including EUR/NZD, NZD/USD, and AUD/NZD.
We also strongly recommend Plus500 because it’s an elegant yet simple website ideal for experienced traders. Its layout is optimized to make it easier for users to find what they need, from trading markets and educational materials to company details and fees.
Not to forget, Plus500 offers 24/7 customer support. You can contact this broker’s team via online chat, WhatsApp, or email and receive prompt assistance.
Note: 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Plus500
✔Available in 50+ countries
✔Easy account registration and setup
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Licensed by FMA, FSP 486026
- Commission-free trades with spreads from 0.0 pips
- Free withdrawals and deposits
- 24/7 responsive customer support
- Free, top-tier trading academy
Cons
- $10 monthly inactivity fee
- Plus500 Invest and Plus500 Futures are not available in New Zealand
- No third-party platforms like MT4 and MT5
One thing we love about Plus500 is that the platform offers most of its services without charging a dime. Moreover, the company practices optimum transparency regarding any costs or charges. While trading on Plus500, we enjoy free deposits and zero internal withdrawal fees.
However, we had to incur reasonable charges, courtesy of the buy/sell spreads. The good thing is this broker lets you choose between dynamic and fixed spreads. We preferred fixed spreads since they allowed us to minimize risk during high volatility periods, especially when we were trading with smaller stakes. But, if you are a fan of swing trading and often deal with higher balances, you can check Plus500’s variable spreads. And don’t worry about paying commissions because Plus500 supports commission-free trades.
Depending on your trading activities on Plus500, you may also incur the following fees and costs:
- Overnight funding: If you open a position and fail to close after a specific cut-off time, otherwise known as the Overnight Funding Time, Plus500 may add or subtract a certain amount of overnight funding from your account. Plus500 uses this formula to determine the exact amount of overnight funding to charge you: Trade Size x Position Opening Rate x Point Value x Daily Overnight Funding %.
- Currency conversion fee: While trading on Plus500, you will incur currency conversion charges every time you dabble with an instrument whose currency denomination differs from your trading account’s currency. During our test, Plus500’s currency conversion fee was up to 0.7% of each trade’s net profit and loss.
- Guaranteed stop order: Plus500 has a unique order type that guarantees the stop loss level even in highly volatile markets. You can use it to minimize losses and maximize returns, but it’ll cost you money. The fee comes in the form of a wider spread.
- Inactivity fee: Suppose your Plus500 trading account stays dormant for over three months. Your company will charge you up to $10 per month. This fee enables Plus500 to cover the costs of maintaining your inactive account.
2. eToro – Best Platform for Stock Traders
Founded in 2007 in Tel Aviv-Yafo, eToro is the best trading platform for stock traders. This broker offers over 4956 stocks, and you can trade CFDs on these instruments without owning the underlying assets. The stock CFDs on eToro are linked to stocks from numerous popular companies, including NVIDIA, META, and Microsoft.
While trading stock CFDs with eToro, you can harness the power of a community of like-minded people. eToro has a vibrant community that enables traders like yourself to share ideas and learn from gurus. Not to mention, this broker supports copy trading. As an eToro customer, you’ll get ample opportunity to copy the moves of top-performing traders and investors.
We also recommend this broker because it supports investing in real assets. While trading with the platform, you can diversify your portfolio by purchasing real stocks and cryptos. Additionally, it offers hundreds of ETFs, commodities, and more.
eToro
✔ 5,000+ instruments
✔ Features social and copy trading
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Has 5,000+ financial instruments and assets
- Offers commission-free stock trading
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Supports social and copy-trading
- eToro Club comes with juicy perks, including lower fees
Cons
- $1,000 minimum deposit requirement for New Zealanders
- $10 monthly inactivity fee
- $5 fee for each withdrawal request
eToro doesn’t charge any account registration or deposit fees. We signed up and funded our account without incurring any costs. Of course, we had to adhere to eToro’s minimum deposit requirements, which vary depending on geographical location. For instance, the minimum amount you can deposit in your eToro account is $100 in the US or the UK. On the other hand, people in countries like Germany and Greece can deposit as little as $50. Visit eToro’s minimum deposit page to find out more.
That said, we encountered several eToro fees and expenses during our exploration, including:
- A $5 fixed withdrawal fee: According to eToro, this fee is indispensable in covering international money transfer costs.
- Currency conversion fees: All eToro accounts are USD-centered. If you fund your account or withdraw money using any other currency, expect to pay conversion fees. The charges vary depending on PIPs and payment methods. Luckily, traders can join the eToro club and enjoy significant discounts.
- A $10 monthly inactivity fee: If you fail to log into your account for 12 or more months, you will incur a monthly $10 fee.
- Crypto fees: eToro requires crypto investors to pay a 1% buy/sell fee. As an investor, you must also cover market spreads, which vary depending on market conditions. Transferring crypto to your eToro Money digital wallet also attracts a 2% fee. The crypto asset transfer fees are capped at 1$ minimum and a $100 maximum.
- CFD spreads: Like many other brokers, eToro has CFD spreads that vary depending on assets and instruments.
3. Spreadex – Best Trading Platform for Professionals
Spreadex is a powerful trading platform ideal for professional traders. It has numerous features and qualities that make it suitable for seasoned pros. For starters, the platform supports trading CFDs and spread bets from one account. Moreover, it comes with a customizable screen that allows experienced traders to streamline trading. What’s more, this broker offers a broad range of advanced charting tools and orders.
We were also impressed by the platform this broker offers professional clients. If, as a trader, you have an asset portfolio with over $500,000 and have engaged in at least 10 sizable trades in each of the last 4 quarters, you can apply for a Spreadex professional account. If you’re eligible, your account will enable you to enjoy hospitality invitations, lower margins, and many other perks.
Spreadex offers thousands of tradeable products, including shares, indices, and FX pairs. With this broker, you can also speculate on bond prices and interest rates or spread bet on the value of popular cryptocurrencies and precious metals like gold.
Spreadex
✔Licensed and regulated by tier-one financial authorities
✔No minimum deposit requirements
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Sophisticated charts, indicators, and drawing tools
- Professional clients have a unique platform with additional features
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Fee-free withdrawals and deposits
- Zero account inactivity fees
- Hosts TradingView, a robust social and charting platform
Cons
- High requirements for professional clients
- No demo account
- Limited third-party trading platforms
From our assessment of Spreadex’s fees, we concluded that this broker offers one of the most cost-friendly platforms. Why? For starters, Spreadex has $0 minimum deposit requirements. That means you can deposit whatever you can afford and start trading immediately. Moreover, while funding your account, you won’t have to pay any deposit fees – it’s free! The same applies to withdrawals.
That is exceptional news since Spreadex supports myriad payment methods, from debit and credit cards to Apple Pay and Easy Bank Transfer. You can use these options without fretting over any charges undermining your profits.
We also recommend Spreadex because this broker doesn’t penalize dormant accounts. Your Spreadex trading account can remain inactive for an extended period without attracting inactivity fees, which separates this company from its peers.
Spreadex offers exceptional rates on spreads. This broker’s spreads start from 0.6 pips for CFD trading. This trading broker should be your go-to if you want lower overall trading costs and improved profit margins.
That said, Spreadex charges overnight funding for shares rolling positions. If you keep a position open through the close of the relevant exchange, Spreadex will keep it open for the following day’s trading. But that will attract a funding adjustment. The fees you’ll incur at any given time will be a combination of the Adjusted ARR and Spreadex’s charges. However, holding futures overnight won’t attract any charges.
4. AvaTrade – Best Trading Platform for Beginners
A broker with a novice-friendly trading platform and rich educational materials can make your journey easier as a beginner. AvaTrade has all that and more. While exploring this trading platform, we were impressed by how simple and user-friendly it is. The navigation bars and menus are displayed clearly and designed to facilitate easy navigation.
If you need educational materials that can help you learn the fundamentals of online trading, AvaAcademy is here for you. This program is loaded with courses, lessons, and tutorials that you can benefit from immensely. After learning from the provided tools and materials, you can assess and reinforce your knowledge with the tests and quizzes.
Once you’re done educating yourself, you can test your skills with AvaTrade’s demo account, which comes with $10,000 in virtual money. With this account, you can also explore the platforms hosted on AvaTrade, including MT4 and MT5.
AvaTrade
✔Low minimum deposit requirement
✔Features automated trading on its copy trading platform
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- Premium educational materials and courses
- Allows beginners to practice for 60 days with a demo account
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Beginner-friendly, easy-to-navigate user interface
- Responsive and knowledgeable support team
Cons
- High inactivity fees for dormant accounts>
- Limited financial instruments compared to other top-tier brokers
AvaTrade charges low fees for trading and non-trading services. When we started with the broker, we found the first deposit requirement of $100 or its equivalent to be low. Plus, all deposits and withdrawals at AvaTrade are free.
Commissions and spreads at AvaTrade are also low in our opinion. For instance, trading forex attracts low fees from 0.9 pips on major currency pairs. We also tried trading stocks and incurred low charges from 0.2 pips.
On the downside, AvaTrade charges a high inactivity fee of $50/£50/€50. This depends on your account currency. The fee applies should your account remain inactive for over three months. Plus, there is an annual administration fee of $100/€100/£100 after 12 months of inactivity. Other fee to expect with this broker is overnight charges for positions left overnight. Its margin rates are also low, from 3.33%, depending on your jurisdiction.
It is important to note that while AvaTrade offers social trading, accessing this feature via the DupliTrade and ZuluTrade platforms can be costly for low-budget traders. You are required to deposit at least $2,000 for DupliTrade and $200 for ZuluTrade platforms.
5. FxPro – Best Platform for Forex Traders
After testing and comparing FxPro to its peers, we highly recommend it to forex brokers. With an FxPro account, you can trade CFDs on 70+ currency pairs, from AUD/NZD and EUR/NZD to USD/CAD and GBP/USD. Moreover, you can choose any third-party trading platform from a list of exceptional options like cTrader, MT4, and MT5.
While trading forex CFDs with FxPro, you can optimize your experience with fast order execution and free transactions. The platform also hosts other tradable financial instruments you can diversify your portfolio with, including precious metals, futures, and indices.
If you are a novice forex trader or an expert who’d like to sharpen your skills, FxPro has a rich Knowledge Hub you can use.
FxPro
✔24/7 multilingual support is available
✔No deposit or withdrawal fees
Pros & Cons
Fees
Trading Assets
Pros
- A wide variety of forex majors, minors, and exotics
- Cost-free deposits and withdrawals
- Hosts top-tier platforms like cTrader and MT5
- Well-designed, user-friendly interface
Cons
- $10 monthly inactivity fee
- Higher spreads than its peers
After signing up with FxPro, we discovered several key aspects. First, we had to adhere to FxPro minimum deposit requirements. Presently, this broker recommends that you fund your account with at least $1,000, but you can deposit as little as $100. And don’t worry about any charges. Deposits and withdrawals are free on this trading platform.
That aside, if you choose the cTrader platform and trade FX pairs of spot metals, expect to pay a commission, but it’s reasonable. This broker charges $35 for every $1 million traded. Additionally, if you keep a position open overnight, you will incur swap/rollover charges. FxPro will charge your account automatically at 21:59 (UK time).
FxPro has a cost calculation tool you can use to determine every available instrument’s quarterly charges. You should check it out.
Online Trading in New Zealand
Online trading is legal in New Zealand. With sufficient knowledge, any New Zealander above 18 can trade online and earn juicy returns. This activity is also highly regulated by the FMA. This authority’s primary responsibility is issuing and revoking the licenses of brokers operating in the country. It also supervises trading platforms and protects traders from unscrupulous companies.
The best thing about the online trading platforms we’ve covered here is they are licensed and regulated by the FMA. Other respected authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, have also authorized them. Therefore, their integrity is guaranteed.
That said, trading is risky, and signing up with a licensed broker won’t change that fact. You should minimize your exposure to significant financial losses through consistent education and practice. Additionally, make good use of the risk management tools that most outstanding trading platforms provide, including stop-loss orders.
And remember, not every broker is good for you. Choose your trading platforms carefully. The tips discussed in the sections below will help you do that.
How to Choose the Right Trading Platform in NZ
You shouldn’t commit to the first trading platform you encounter. We advise against that because the internet is littered with unreliable and fraudulent service providers. Before signing up with any broker, check the following:
Licensing
Fees
Assets
Platforms
Support services
Reputation
Look for a licensed and regulated broker to avoid issues like mismanagement of your funds and cybersecurity risks. Regulators like the FMA protect you by forcing brokers to adhere to recommended practices like keeping client funds in segregated accounts and safeguarding personal data with security measures such as SSL encryption.
One of the secrets to maximizing returns is avoiding high trading costs. While vetting the brokers available in New Zealand, study their fee structures. Pay attention to trading commissions, spreads, and transaction charges. You should also verify if your chosen service provider has put a price on specific trading platforms or software.
The best platform for you should have all the assets you need. As such, check the variety and types of products a broker offers before registering an account. A good platform should ideally have popular options like FX pairs, shares, indices, and commodities.
Research popular trading platforms and choose one or more that suit your needs and goals. Then, look for a broker with your preferred platforms. Also, remember that most service providers have proprietary software with excellent features. Check them out and test as many as possible with demo accounts. That way, you can make informed decisions and avoid catastrophic slip-ups.
Sometimes, trading platforms develop technical issues. Exceptional customer support technicians resolve unexpected problems quickly and prevent extensive disruptions. Moreover, knowledgeable and responsive representatives ensure all your questions and concerns are addressed promptly. Considering all that, you should prioritize interacting with a platform that guarantees high-quality customer support.
Many people have used your chosen trading platform before. You can use their feedback and reviews to determine if the service provider you plan to commit to is worthwhile and reliable. Always go with trading platforms with a good track record and a history of addressing customer complaints quickly.
How To Register an Account with a Trading Platform in NZ
If the thought of registering with a trading platform and going through KYC seems daunting, allow us to assuage your concerns. The best brokers in Kiwiland want you to have an outstanding experience and have done everything they can to facilitate that, including simplifying the registration. You can open an account with any of the service providers recommended in this guide by doing the following:
Step 1: Visit the trading platform’s official site
Step 2: Sign up
Step 3: Verify your identity and address
Step 4: Fund your account
Step 5: Trade
Every established broker has an official site. You should visit your chosen provider’s website. Once you’re there, you can ascertain the platform’s legitimacy and if it aligns with your requirements. Visiting the official site will also enable you to assess crucial elements like the stipulated fees and download a dedicated trading app if necessary.
You can register from your broker’s web platform or dedicated app. To avoid nulling your application or exposing your account to issues in the future, fill out the provided registration form with valid and accurate information, including your name, email address, and phone number. Furthermore, protect your account and assets with a strong, unique password.
Regulated brokers verify the identity of new customers with different documents, including national ID and bank statements. Check what your chosen platform requires to prove your identity and address and submit all necessary documentation. Note that your broker’s team will check the documents you share manually. Wait for the verification process to complete. It should take a few hours at most.
Your broker will contact you once your account has been verified. You can then choose a supported payment method, specify your preferred amount, and fund your account. The brokers we’ve reviewed here have zero deposit fees, so you don’t have to worry about costs. But don’t ignore your chosen platform’s minimum deposit requirements.
After funding your account, pick an asset, set your preferred order parameters, and open a position. To ensure you make informed decisions, stay on top of all developments and news surrounding your chosen financial instruments. Most importantly, protect your capital with proper risk management strategies.
Conclusion
Our guide has armed you with everything you need to find the best trading platform in New Zealand. We’ve also made your work easier by narrowing the options to 5 remarkable service providers. Pick one that aligns with your goals and preferences. Before wrapping up, discipline is indispensable in online trading. With this virtue, you will be better positioned to earn consistent profits* and avoid the detrimental outcomes of impulsive decisions.
*Your capital is at risk
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