All sections on this page
- Broker comparison table
- What are the 10 best Australian forex brokers?
- Other brokers we tested
- How to choose an Australian forex broker
- Who is the largest forex broker in Australia?
- Which Australian broker has the lowest spreads?
- What is the best forex trading platform in Australia?
- Which broker is best for high-leverage trading?
- How we tested and scored the 29 brokers
- Compare brokers by trader type
The best forex brokers in Australia, ranked
- Pepperstone: the best forex broker in Australia.
- OANDA: best forex broker for beginners.
- Fusion Markets: lowest commission forex broker in our top ten.
- IC Markets: lowest spread raw account.
- Interactive Brokers: best multi-market broker for investors.
- FP Markets: best ASX share access via IRESS.
- Capital.com: best broker for CFD trading.
- MultiBank Group: broadest multi-jurisdiction regulation.
- ThinkMarkets: deep product range on ThinkTrader.
- Trade Nation: best fixed-spread pricing.
The list runs strictly by Overall 2026 Score; the label beside each broker is where it fits best.
Every ranked broker holds an AFSL, belongs to AFCA and operates under ASIC’s Product Intervention Order. CFDs are high-risk: ASIC’s REP 828 found 68% of retail CFD investors lost money in the 2024 financial year. For the safety angle, see the safest forex brokers, negative balance protection and high-leverage brokers guides.
What are the 10 best Australian forex brokers?
1. Pepperstone: the best forex broker in Australia
EUR/USD spread
From 0.0 pips on Razor plus AUD 3.50 per side
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, Pepperstone Trading App
ASIC entity
Pepperstone Group Limited (AFSL 414530)
Why We Recommend Pepperstone
Pepperstone is the strongest all-round forex broker for Australian traders, pairing raw Razor pricing with the widest platform choice on the market: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and its own web platform from a single account. Razor commission is A$3.50 per side (A$7.00 round turn), EUR/USD averaged 0.10 pips in testing, and there is no minimum deposit or inactivity fee. It has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 414530 since 2013.
Pros & Cons
- Razor account spreads on EUR/USD from 0.0 pips
- Five trading platforms including cTrader and TradingView
- Top-tier execution speed (sub-30ms typical to LD5)
- Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG, IBKR
- No native ASX share investing (CFD only)
- Standard account spreads less competitive than the Razor account
Broker's Detail
Founded in Melbourne in 2010, Pepperstone is one of Australia's largest forex brokers and has held ASIC AFSL 414530 since 2013. It also holds Tier-1 licences with the FCA (UK), BaFin (Germany), CySEC (Cyprus), CMA (Kenya) and DFSA (Dubai).
Two main account types are offered. The Razor (RAW) account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 7 round-turn commission per standard lot. The Standard account is commission-free with EUR/USD from roughly 1.1 pips. Five trading platforms are supported: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and the Pepperstone Trading Platform.
Funding is fee-free via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal. AUD-denominated accounts available. Customer support runs 24/7 by live chat.
Pepperstone spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Razor avg spread (pips) | + commission equivalent | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| AUD/USD | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| GBP/USD | 0.20 | 0.45 | 0.65 |
| USD/JPY | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| EUR/GBP | 0.30 | 0.45 | 0.75 |
2. OANDA: best forex broker for beginners
EUR/USD spread
~1.4 pips published, 0.99 measured, spread-only (Standard); or from 0.0 pips plus AUD 3.50 per side (Raw)
Platforms
MT4, MT5, TradingView, OANDA Trade
ASIC entity
OANDA Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 412981)
Why We Recommend OANDA
OANDA suits newer traders through a clean OANDA Trade platform, native TradingView execution and an unlimited demo with USD 100,000 in virtual funds. The Standard account has no minimum deposit and no commission, and the Raw account adds A$3.50 per lot for tighter pricing. OANDA holds ASIC AFSL 412981 and carries dual ASIC and US CFTC oversight within its group.
Pros & Cons
- AFSL 412981 plus FCA, MAS, CIRO and JFSA regulation globally
- Native TradingView trading integration
- Best-in-class mobile app for new forex traders
- Raw account's 0.44 measured eight-pair average trails the tightest RAW brokers
- Product range narrower than CMC, IG or IBKR
- Premium pricing tiers require an AUD 10,000 balance or high notional volume
Broker's Detail
Founded in Toronto in 1996, OANDA is one of the most comprehensively regulated brokers in the world, holding licences with ASIC (AFSL 412981), the CFTC/NFA (US), FCA (UK), MAS (Singapore), CIRO (Canada) and JFSA (Japan).
OANDA prices two ways in Australia: spread-only, or raw spreads plus a commission. Four accounts sit across those models. Standard is spread-only with EUR/USD published around 1.4 pips (0.99 measured in our capture) and no minimum. Raw pairs spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 3.50 per side (AUD 7.00 round-turn), matching Pepperstone Razor on commission. Premium Spreads (from 0.2 pips, no commission) and Premium Commission (from 0.0 pips plus AUD 2.75 per side) both need an AUD 10,000 balance or high notional volume. The OANDA Trade proprietary platform is paired with MT4, MT5 and native TradingView trading.
$0 minimum deposit with fee-free AU funding via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal. AUD-denominated accounts available. Customer support runs 24/5 via live chat, email and phone.
OANDA spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | OANDA Standard (avg pips) | AU industry avg (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.99 | 1.1 |
| AUD/USD | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| GBP/USD | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| USD/JPY | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| EUR/GBP | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| EUR/JPY | 1.7 | 1.9 |
3. Fusion Markets: lowest commission forex broker in our top ten
EUR/USD spread
From 0.0 pips on Zero plus AUD 4.50 round-turn
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
ASIC entity
FMGP Trading Group Pty Ltd (AFSL 385620)
Why We Recommend Fusion Markets
Fusion Markets carries the second-lowest commission in our coverage at A$2.25 per side (A$4.50 round turn) on the Zero account, behind only ACY Securities, and pairs it with a measured EUR/USD raw spread of 0.04 pips. There is no formal account minimum, and MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView are all supported. Fusion has traded under AFSL 385620 since its 2017 launch; the FMGP Trading Group licence dates to 2011.
Pros & Cons
- AUD 4.50 round-turn, the lowest commission in our top ten
- EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips on the Zero account
- MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, with cTrader Copy for copy trading
- Smaller broker by volume and brand profile than IC Markets or Pepperstone
- Research and education library thinner than the larger brokers
- Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG or Interactive Brokers
Broker's Detail
Founded in Melbourne in 2017, Fusion Markets operates as a trading name of FMGP Trading Group Pty Ltd under AFSL 385620. Two main accounts are offered: the Zero account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 4.50 round-turn commission, and the Classic account is commission-free with wider spreads.
On total cost, our most recent testing cycle put Fusion Zero at roughly 0.39 pips all-in on EUR/USD, against about 0.51 on Pepperstone Razor and 0.60 on IC Markets Raw. Platforms are MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView on the same account credentials.
Minimum deposit is $0 with no inactivity fee. Funding covers PayID, BPAY, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and crypto deposits. An Islamic (swap-free) account is available.
4. IC Markets: lowest spread raw account
EUR/USD spread
From 0.0 pips on Raw plus AUD 4.50 per side
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader
ASIC entity
International Capital Markets Pty. Ltd. (AFSL 335692)
Why We Recommend IC Markets
IC Markets measured the tightest raw spreads in our testing, averaging 0.01 pips on EUR/USD and 0.15 pips across eight majors on the Raw Spread account, with A$4.50 per side commission (A$9.00 round turn). Execution is consistently among the fastest we track, and cTrader is its recommended platform alongside MT4 and MT5. The minimum deposit is A$200 and it has held AFSL 335692 since 2009.
Pros & Cons
- Raw Spread EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips
- True ECN/cTrader connectivity with Tier-1 bank liquidity
- Top-3 execution speed for scalping and EAs
- $200 minimum deposit (vs $0 at Pepperstone, CMC, IG)
- No native TradingView integration on the AU entity
- Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG, IBKR
Broker's Detail
Founded in Sydney in 2007, IC Markets is one of Australia's longest-running ECN brokers and has held AFSL 335692 since 2009. The Raw Spread account delivers EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 9.00 round-turn commission (A$4.50 per side). The Standard account is commission-free with spreads from 1.0 pips.
Liquidity is sourced from 25+ Tier-1 banks and dark pools, delivering true ECN execution that suits scalpers and EA traders. Platforms supported are MT4, MT5 and cTrader (no native TradingView on the AU entity). Over 2,250 tradeable instruments span forex, indices, commodities, bonds, shares and crypto CFDs.
Minimum deposit is $200, higher than the $0 brokers in this list. AUD funding via PayID, BPAY and card is fee-free.
IC Markets spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Raw Spread avg (pips) | + commission equivalent | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.01 | 0.58 | 0.59 |
| AUD/USD | 0.16 | 0.58 | 0.74 |
| GBP/USD | 0.30 | 0.58 | 0.88 |
| USD/JPY | 0.10 | 0.58 | 0.68 |
| AUD/JPY | 0.50 | 0.58 | 1.08 |
5. Interactive Brokers: best multi-market broker for investors
EUR/USD spread
From ~0.10 pips, ECN model plus per-trade commission
Platforms
TWS, IBKR Mobile, GlobalTrader, Client Portal
ASIC entity
Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 453554)
Why We Recommend Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is the pick for investors building a portfolio across stocks, options, futures, bonds and forex, with direct access to more than 150 markets across 33 countries and true multi-currency accounts. Forex runs on an ECN model through IDEAL FX priced by per-trade commission rather than spread, and ASX shares start from about A$6 per trade. There is no minimum deposit and it has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 453554 since 2016.
Pros & Cons
- Cheapest ASX share brokerage on this site, from AUD 6 per trade
- 150 markets across 33 countries with direct exchange access
- True multi-currency account: hold AUD, USD, EUR and 20+ others natively
- Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve and a dated interface
- No MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView; unsuitable for existing forex EAs
- No credit card funding; bank transfer, BPAY and wire only
Broker's Detail
Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd holds AFSL 453554, which commenced in 2016; the group's earlier Australian presence ran under a separate entity. The platform stack is proprietary: Trader Workstation (the deepest professional desktop platform available to Australian retail clients), IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, GlobalTrader and the Client Portal, plus a full API.
Forex runs on a true ECN model with EUR/USD spreads from around 0.10 pips plus a per-trade commission rather than a per-lot fee. One quirk for Australians: IBKR margins every AUD pair, including AUD/USD, as a minor at 20:1 rather than the major-pair maximum, because its majors list is limited to USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CAD and CHF combinations.
Minimum deposit is $0 and the old inactivity fee was removed in 2021. Funding is by bank transfer, BPAY and wire; no cards. Fractional US shares are supported.
6. FP Markets: best ASX share access via IRESS
EUR/USD spread
From 0.0 pips on Raw plus AUD 7 round-turn
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, IRESS
ASIC entity
First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd (AFSL 286354)
Why We Recommend FP Markets
FP Markets is the strongest all-rounder among the raw brokers, and the only one on our list offering direct-market-access pricing on ASX share CFDs through IRESS alongside its other CFD trading. The Raw account prices EUR/USD from around 0.10 pips plus A$3.50 per side commission, and it runs MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and IRESS Trader. FP Markets has held AFSL 286354 since 2005.
Pros & Cons
- AFSL 286354 since 2005; founded and headquartered in Sydney
- Raw account with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips and AUD 7 commission
- IRESS account: DMA-priced share CFDs (AU-unique among RAW brokers)
- Standard (no commission) spreads less competitive than the Raw account
- IRESS account requires separate application and higher minimum balance
- Education library lighter than CMC or IG
Broker's Detail
Founded in Sydney in 2005, FP Markets holds AFSL 286354 and is one of the longest-running Australian-headquartered RAW-style brokers. The group also holds CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), FSC (Mauritius) and CMA (Kenya) licences.
The Raw account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 7 round-turn commission per standard lot. The Standard account is commission-free with wider spreads. The differentiator on this list is the IRESS account, which provides DMA-priced share CFDs on ASX and international stocks, a route no other RAW broker on the shortlist offers.
$100 minimum deposit on the Raw and Standard accounts; the IRESS account requires a separate application and higher balance. Funding is fee-free via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal.
FP Markets spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Raw avg spread (pips) | + commission equivalent | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.14 | 0.45 | 0.59 |
| AUD/USD | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| GBP/USD | 0.20 | 0.45 | 0.65 |
| USD/JPY | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| EUR/GBP | 0.30 | 0.45 | 0.75 |
| EUR/JPY | 0.40 | 0.45 | 0.85 |
7. Capital.com: best broker for CFD trading
EUR/USD spread
From 0.70 pips, spread only
Platforms
Capital.com WebTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
ASIC entity
Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 513393)
Why We Recommend Capital.com
Capital.com is built around a polished WebTrader platform with native TradingView execution and more than 4,500 CFD instruments across forex, indices, shares, commodities and crypto. Retail pricing is spread only with no separate commission, EUR/USD is typically around 0.7 pips, and the minimum deposit is A$20. It has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 513393 since 2021 within a group also regulated by the FCA and CySEC.
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 513393 plus FCA and CySEC licences across the group
- Native TradingView integration with in-chart execution
- A$20 minimum deposit and no inactivity fee
- No cTrader in the platform stack
- Shorter AU operating history than CMC, IG or Pepperstone
- Markup-priced retail account trails the lowest RAW brokers on total cost
8. MultiBank Group: broadest multi-jurisdiction regulation
EUR/USD spread
From 0.0 pips on ECN, 0.40 average
Platforms
MT4
ASIC entity
MEX Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 416279)
Why We Recommend MultiBank Group
MultiBank Group stands out for regulatory breadth, holding ASIC AFSL 416279 alongside Tier 1 BaFin in Germany plus CySEC, SCA and MAS oversight across the wider group. Australian clients trade on MT4 with expert advisor support and a choice of the spread-only Classic account or the commission-based ECN account. Share, crypto and bond CFDs are not offered on the AU entity.
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 416279 with BaFin Tier-1 oversight at group level
- ECN spreads averaged 0.40 pips across our 8-pair capture
- Wide AU funding menu including PayID, BPAY and POLi
- Less Australian-rooted than Sydney or Melbourne-founded brokers
- Classic account average of 1.5 pips is not competitive with RAW-style accounts
- USD 60 annual inactivity fee after the dormancy threshold
9. ThinkMarkets: deep product range on ThinkTrader
EUR/USD spread
From 0.11 pips on ThinkZero plus AUD 7 round-turn
Platforms
ThinkTrader, MT4, TradingView
ASIC entity
TF Global Markets (Aust) Pty Ltd (AFSL 424700)
Why We Recommend ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets is a Melbourne-based broker with a credible proprietary ThinkTrader app and access to more than 4,000 instruments across forex, shares, indices and commodities. The ThinkZero account prices raw spreads with A$3.50 per side commission, while MT4 covers expert advisor users and ThinkTrader adds TradingView. It has been ASIC-regulated under AFSL 424700 since 2012.
Pros & Cons
- Melbourne-founded with AFSL 424700 held since 2012
- ThinkTrader is one of the better mobile apps in our coverage
- 4,000+ instruments including share, ETF and futures CFDs
- Platforms are tied to account type; no MT4 expert advisors on ThinkTrader (no MT5 on the AU entity)
- ThinkZero requires a AUD 500 minimum and trades forex, metals, indices and energies only
- USD 10 monthly inactivity fee after 12 months dormant
10. Trade Nation: best fixed-spread pricing
EUR/USD spread
0.5 pips fixed (main session), no commission
Platforms
TN Trader
ASIC entity
Trade Nation Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 422661)
Why We Recommend Trade Nation
Trade Nation completes the top ten as the fixed-spread specialist, quoting EUR/USD from 0.5 pips and AUD/USD from 0.4 pips in the main session, held steady through news, with no commission on its TN Trader platform. It is one of only two brokers in our coverage offering true fixed pricing, adds TradingView on the same login, and has no minimum deposit. Trade Nation has held AFSL 422661 since 2012; the Australian entity took the Trade Nation name in 2020.
Pros & Cons
- Fixed spreads from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD and 0.4 pips on AUD/USD (main session)
- $0 minimum deposit and $0 inactivity fee
- AFCA member with segregated client funds at an Approved Australian Bank
- Fixed spreads are wider than top-tier RAW accounts in normal conditions
- 1,000+ instruments trails CMC and IG on product range
- No commission account option for scalpers wanting tighter raw pricing
Other brokers we tested
Every remaining broker from our 29-broker 2026 test panel is listed below with its score, so the ranked list above can be checked against the full field. The ranked list above is the top 10 by Overall 2026 Score, with the cut falling at 79. The nineteen brokers below all scored under that line, so none carries a best label its score does not support.
| Broker | Overall 2026 score | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| 78 | Melbourne-founded broker with the widest crypto CFD range on the ASIC market and native TradingView | |
| 78 | Melbourne broker under an AFSL held since 2006, with cTrader and TradingView on raw pricing | |
| 77 | The most recognised retail CFD name in Australia, 17,000+ markets under an LSE-listed parent | |
| 77 | Pro Zero RAW account and bilingual English-Mandarin support | |
| 75 | The best beginner CFD interface in our coverage; FTSE 250-listed parent | |
| 75 | Sydney boutique with personalised support and Direct account pricing | |
| 74 | Trading Station and native TradingView under Jefferies ownership | |
| 73 | StoneX-owned forex specialist with eight regulators across the group | |
| 70 | Single spread-only account on MT5 and its own WebTrader | |
| 69 | Saxo-grade platforms and multi-asset range | |
| 68 | 330+ forex pairs and the Next Generation platform | |
| 66 | Four-platform line-up (MT4, MT5, TradingView, Vantage App) with a RAW account | |
| 65 | Edge account pricing with IRESS share access | |
| 60 | AvaOptions vanilla forex options | |
| 59 | PsyQuation analytics and the AxiSelect funded-trader programme | |
| 54 | Publishes execution receipts with bank quote sources | |
| 50 | CopyTrader social trading | |
| 42 | Mobile-first proprietary WebTrader for simple CFD trading | |
| 32 | Fixed spreads and free dealCancellation |
All 29 tested brokers with full scores are listed on the forex broker reviews hub.
How to choose an Australian forex broker
1. Check the broker is ASIC regulated
Choosing one of the best ASIC-regulated brokers is the most important step for an Australian trader. ASIC regulation reduces the risk of scams. Brokers under AFSL conditions are heavily scrutinised and must follow strict client-money, capital-adequacy and disclosure rules to keep your funds safe.
ASIC caps retail leverage on major forex pairs; see our ASIC forex regulation guide for the full tier list and what each protection does. Always check the AFSL on ASIC Connect before depositing. Check that the broker is also a member of AFCA, the free dispute resolution scheme. ASIC does not insure deposits the way some overseas regulators do, so the regulator’s protections sit upstream of your money rather than around it. Segregated client funds, mandatory negative balance protection, and the AFCA scheme are the three protections that matter most.
2. Make sure the broker matches your type of trading
What type of trader you are is best answered by understanding different trading styles. There are four main styles to consider:
- Day trading. Open and close positions within the same day. Needs fast execution and tight spreads.
- Scalping. High volume, very short holds (seconds to a few minutes). Needs Raw or ECN-style pricing and stable order routing.
- Swing trading. Holds positions for days to weeks. Less sensitive to spread, more sensitive to overnight financing rates.
- Position trading. Long-term, fundamentals-driven. Spreads matter least, swap rates and platform reliability matter most.
A broker that suits a scalper (Pepperstone Razor, IC Markets Raw) may not be the best for a position trader (CMC Standard, IG Standard). Match the broker to your style.
3. Check the trading platforms offered
The features you need from a trading platform are personal, but key factors include ease of use, order execution quality, risk-management tools, advanced charting, automation support, available leverage, and overall versatility.
The four platforms used by most ASIC-regulated brokers are MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 (compared head-to-head here), cTrader and TradingView. Several brokers (CMC, IG, Plus500, eToro) run their own proprietary platforms in addition to or instead of MetaTrader. See our trading platforms guide for a full breakdown.
4. Ensure the trading costs are low
Trading fees are one of the leading factors impacting your profit and loss. Compare spreads from different forex brokers using a like-for-like measure. In our experience, Raw accounts on ECN brokers are generally cheaper than the Standard no-commission accounts once you add the spread and commission together. The exception is low-volume traders who hold positions for days at a time, where the convenience of a single all-in spread on a Standard account can outweigh the small saving on Raw. The broker cost calculator adds spread and commission into one all-in figure per standard lot so the comparison stays like-for-like.
Other costs to check are overnight financing (swap rates), inactivity fees, currency conversion fees if your account base is not the same as the asset’s quote currency, and deposit/withdrawal charges. See our lowest spreads and lowest commissions guides for live comparisons. To size a trade before you open one, our trading calculators work out margin, pip value and position size for any pair.
5. Make sure customer service meets your needs
We always test customer service. It adds value when you get stuck mid-trade or have time-sensitive questions. Slow or poorly informed support can cost you on an open position.
Things to check before depositing:
- Hours of phone and live chat support (24/5 versus 24/7)
- Languages supported
- Quality of in-platform help and self-service knowledge base
- Speed and quality of response in our test (we open a real chat with a generic question and time the reply)
Pepperstone, IC Markets, IG and Plus500 all run 24/5 chat with strong response times. eToro, CMC and OANDA close support over the weekend. If you trade weekend crypto markets and want live human support, factor that in.
Compare brokers by the factor that decides it
Each shortlist below re-ranks the market for one decision factor, tested the same way as this page.
The platform decides it
Rankings change once the trading software is fixed. Pick yours first, then compare.
Your strategy decides it
Execution speed, copy functionality and EA support separate these shortlists.
What you trade decides it
CFD shortlists re-ranked for the asset class you trade most.
Who is the largest forex broker in Australia?
IG Markets is the largest forex broker in Australia by website traffic, with an estimated 176,000 monthly Australian visits (Ahrefs, July 2026). By brand-search volume, CMC Markets leads with around 49,500 monthly Google searches for the broker name.
By client tenure, IG Markets and CMC Markets are the long-standing market leaders, both operating in Australia for more than 20 years. Pepperstone, founded in Melbourne in 2010, has grown to challenge both on global trading volumes.
Which Australian broker has the lowest spreads?
IC Markets and Eightcap tied for the tightest measured spreads in our May to June 2026 testing, both averaging 0.15 pips across eight major pairs on their raw accounts. The table shows the five tightest measured averages with each broker’s round-turn commission. The full 17-broker table and our capture method are in the lowest spreads guide.
| Broker | Account | Measured 8-pair raw avg (pips) | Commission (round-turn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | Raw | 0.15 | AUD 9.00 |
| Eightcap | Raw | 0.15 | AUD 7.00 |
| Pro | 0.16 | AUD 7.00 | |
| Direct | 0.19 | AUD 7.00 | |
| GO Markets | Raw | 0.24 | AUD 6.00 |
Our own IceFX SpreadMonitor captures: rolling 24-hour windows, May to June 2026, London VPS.
What is the best forex trading platform in Australia?
Pepperstone is the best forex trading platform pick in Australia for 2026. It is the only top-three broker running all four mainstream platforms, MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, and it recorded the fastest execution in our live testing. If you already know which software you want, the table below names our tested broker pick for each platform.
| Platform | Best AU broker |
|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Pepperstone |
| MetaTrader 5 | IC Markets |
| cTrader | Pepperstone |
| TradingView | Pepperstone |
| Proprietary (Next Generation) | |
| Mobile app | |
| Social / copy |
For a deeper breakdown of each platform’s features, use the platform shortlists in the comparison router in the how-to-choose section above.
Which broker is best for high-leverage trading?
No ASIC-regulated broker exceeds the Product Intervention Order caps, so 30:1 on major forex pairs is the ceiling on this page. Higher leverage requires wholesale client classification, which surrenders retail protections and demands A$2.5 million in net assets or A$250,000 gross income. See our guide to wholesale classification. For the full breakdown of the cap, the wholesale route and the offshore risk, see our high-leverage forex brokers guide.
How we tested and scored the 29 brokers
Our team tested 600+ data points that matter for Australian forex traders, and Pepperstone, with a score of 98/100, was the clear winner. Each broker was scored across regulation, spreads, commission, execution speed, platform availability, instrument range, mobile app quality, customer service and account opening experience.
Live AUD accounts were opened with each broker. Spreads were captured during Sydney and London sessions. Execution speeds were measured on EUR/USD market orders. Customer service was tested by lodging a generic question via live chat and timing the response.
See our full methodology for the scoring rubric.
Compare brokers by trader type
| # | Page | Who it’s for | Top picks | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Demo Trading Accounts | Traders testing platforms or strategies before going live | Pepperstone, IC Markets, CMC Markets, Plus500 | See below |
| 2 | Best ECN Brokers in Australia | Active traders, scalpers and EA users wanting raw pricing | IC Markets, Global Prime, Pepperstone, FP Markets | See below |
| 3 | Best Forex Brokers for Beginners | First-time traders who want clean platforms and education | OANDA, Plus500, eToro, Capital.com | See below |
| 4 | Best Fixed Spread Forex Brokers | Traders who want predictable costs in volatile sessions | Trade Nation, easyMarkets, AvaTrade | See below |
| 5 | Lowest Commission Forex Brokers | Active traders comparing the commission line on RAW accounts | ACY Securities, Fusion Markets, Vantage, GO Markets | See below |
| 6 | Lowest Spread Forex Brokers | Anyone who optimises for the headline spread number | IC Markets, Eightcap, Axi, Blueberry Markets | See below |
These are the core trader-type guides; each gets its own write-up below. Platform-, strategy- and asset-specific broker shortlists are linked from the comparison router in the how-to-choose section above.
1. Best Demo Trading Accounts
Demos vary more than people expect. Some expire after 30 days. Some run on stale prices. A few replicate live spreads and execution accurately enough to be useful. We rank the most usable demos for AU traders, including which ones reset, which support MT4/MT5/cTrader, and which let you keep the demo open after you fund a live account. Compare them in the best demo trading accounts in Australia guide.
2. Best ECN Brokers in Australia
True ECN means raw interbank pricing plus a fixed commission. Most ASIC brokers calling themselves “ECN” are actually STP or hybrid models. We unpack the difference, list the brokers offering genuine ECN execution, and benchmark spreads and commission on a typical 1.0-lot EUR/USD trade. The full list is in our guide to ECN forex brokers in Australia.
3. Best Forex Brokers for Beginners
The first 30 days are make-or-break. Beginners need a platform that doesn’t intimidate, education that isn’t a sales funnel, and a demo that gives an honest read on live conditions. We rank the brokers that consistently deliver on all three, and call out a couple we’d avoid for first-time traders even though they’re solid for experienced ones. See our shortlist of the best forex brokers for beginners.
4. Best Fixed Spread Forex Brokers
Fixed spreads are wider than variable on average, but they don’t widen during news, rollover or thin liquidity. For a small group of trader styles (swing, news, position) that tradeoff makes sense. We name the ASIC brokers offering meaningful fixed-spread accounts and explain when fixed beats variable. Compare the best fixed spread forex brokers.
5. Lowest Commission Forex Brokers
On RAW/ECN accounts the commission line often matters more than the spread. AUD 7 round-turn vs AUD 6 vs AUD 4.50 adds up fast if you’re trading 50 lots a month. We benchmark commission across every RAW account on the AU shortlist and rank by total cost on a typical EUR/USD trade. Our lowest commission forex brokers guide has the full benchmark.
6. Lowest Spread Forex Brokers
The most-asked question on the site. We test EUR/USD, AUD/USD and four other majors over a 24-hour cycle covering Sydney, Tokyo, London and New York sessions. IC Markets, Pepperstone and Fusion Markets cluster at the top. Differences are small. Commission and execution speed often decide the actual winner.
Trading forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk and can lead to the loss of some or all of your deposit; it is not suitable for everyone. Only trade with money you can afford to lose, and read each broker’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before opening an account.
Most Popular Forex Brokers in Australia
IG Markets is the most popular ASIC-regulated forex broker in Australia, with an estimated 176,000 monthly Australian visits to its website (Ahrefs, July 2026).
This ranking measures website visits, not trading quality: it is one lens on the market, separate from our tested best forex brokers verdict above, which scores each broker on live account testing. Popular is not the same as best.
| # | Broker | Est. monthly AU visits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 176,000 |
| 2 | | 109,700 |
| 3 | | 42,600 |
| 4 | | 19,700 |
| 5 | | 15,600 |
| 6 | | 14,000 |
| 7 | | 9,700 |
| 8 | | 9,300 |
| 9 | | 8,100 |
| 10 | | 7,400 |
| * IG Markets and CMC Markets are multi-asset businesses in Australia including share trading; visits reflect their full websites. † OANDA excludes its currency-converter tool (about 94% of its AU organic traffic). ‡ Capital.com includes a material educational-content footprint. ThinkMarkets and Vantage, and Eightcap and Totality, tied on traffic; order set by domain rating. | ||
Show all 29 ASIC-regulated brokers
| # | Broker | Est. monthly AU visits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | | 7,110 |
| 12 | | 7,000 |
| 13 | | 6,400 |
| 14 | | 3,100 |
| 15 | | 2,900 |
| 16 | | 2,700 |
| 17 | | 2,700 |
| 18 | | 2,400 |
| 19 | | 1,438 |
| 20 | | 1,300 |
| 21 | | 1,300 |
| 22 | | 1,200 |
| 23 | | 1,179 |
| 24 | | 898 |
| 25 | | 823 |
| 26 | | 295 |
| 27 | | 228 |
| 28 | | 204 |
| 29 | | 203 |
IG Markets, CMC Markets and eToro together attract more Australian visits than the remaining 26 brokers combined.
Ranked by estimated monthly Australian organic visits to each broker's website (Ahrefs, July 2026). OANDA excludes its currency-converter tool; Capital.com includes an educational-content footprint. Estimates are directional, not audited client counts. Updated quarterly.
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About the author
Justin co-founded CompareForexBrokers in 2014 and has traded forex since 1998. Based in Melbourne, he has tested every ASIC-regulated broker on this site personally and has written for Forbes, Kiplinger, Finance Magnates, the Australian Financial Review and The Age. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Master of Marketing from Monash University. Justin is the Strategic Head of Research for the site.










