Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
China traders seeking offshore forex exposure often compare Admirals and EasyMarkets, two established brokers with different strengths. Admirals, with a 4.1/5 Trustpilot score, is a global broker regulated by the FCA and CySEC, offering tight spreads and advanced platforms like MT4 and MT5. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, specializes in fixed spreads and risk management tools, making it appealing to beginners. For Chinese traders, both brokers accept deposits via USDT and international bank transfers, enabling easy funding despite capital controls. Offshore trading allows access to major forex pairs, indices, and commodities without CSRC oversight, but traders must choose based on cost, platform, and regulation preferences. This comparison evaluates each broker's suitability for China's unique trading environment.
| Instrument | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $25 | Admirals |
Admirals provides lower trading costs for China traders, especially on its Zero account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot per side. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, which is simpler but more expensive for active traders. For a 10-lot trade, Admirals' total cost is about $30, while EasyMarkets costs around $120 in spread difference. High-frequency China traders benefit from Admirals' lower variable spreads, while EasyMarkets suits those who prefer predictable costs.
| Account Type | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are widely preferred by experienced Chinese traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and EA support. EasyMarkets provides MT4, its proprietary web platform, and a mobile app with a simple interface and built-in risk management tools like deal cancellation and guaranteed stops. China traders who rely on custom indicators and algorithmic trading will favor Admirals, while those seeking ease of use and fixed spreads may choose EasyMarkets' own platform.
| Factor | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Admirals |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Admirals uses a market execution model with no re-quotes, offering fast order fills on a depth-of-market basis. EasyMarkets operates a dealing desk with fixed spreads and a 'no slippage' guarantee, meaning orders execute exactly at requested prices even during volatile markets. This zero-slippage feature suits risk-averse China traders, while Admirals' execution is better for scalpers and algorithmic strategies requiring raw market conditions.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals and EasyMarkets are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and other international bodies, but neither is authorized by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). This means Chinese traders open offshore accounts under the brokers' international entities, which offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Admirals also holds an FCA license (UK), providing additional trust. China traders should understand that CSRC does not regulate these offshore activities, and they must comply with China's foreign exchange rules independently.
| Payment Method | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) |
Both brokers support convenient funding for China traders via USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers. USDT deposits are processed quickly — usually within 15 minutes — and avoid the complexity of CNY conversion. Admirals also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Skrill, while EasyMarkets adds Neteller, UnionPay (indirectly), and local Asian options. Withdrawals follow the same methods: USDT withdrawals are fast (same day), while bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur fees of $10-$30. Minimum deposits are $100 for Admirals and $25 for EasyMarkets, making the latter more accessible for small accounts.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in China, eliminating overnight interest on positions. Admirals requires a formal request via email or live chat, and the account remains swap-free indefinitely. EasyMarkets also provides Islamic accounts upon request, but applies an administrative fee if positions are held beyond 14 days. China Muslim traders should review the terms before trading long-term positions. Neither broker charges additional hidden fees on Islamic accounts.
| Support Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Chinese-speaking team available during Asian hours. EasyMarkets also offers 24/5 live chat and email support, but Chinese language assistance is limited to business hours. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections in Simplified Chinese. China traders may find Admirals' support slightly more responsive due to broader language coverage.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Admirals |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Admirals |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Admirals | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For most China traders seeking offshore exposure, Admirals is the superior choice with its 4.1/5 rating, lower spreads, and powerful MT4/MT5 platforms. EasyMarkets, while beginner-friendly with fixed spreads and risk tools, falls short in cost efficiency and platform depth. Both brokers accept USDT and international bank transfers, which align with Chinese traders' off-ramp needs. However, since neither is regulated by the CSRC, traders must operate within China's foreign exchange policies. Overall, Admirals offers better value for active and experienced offshore traders, while EasyMarkets remains an option for novices prioritizing simplicity and guaranteed execution.