Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, choosing between Admirals and Plus500 is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform flexibility, and local convenience. Admirals, with a strong score of 4.1/5, is known for its advanced MetaTrader platforms, tight spreads, and a wide range of instruments. Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, offers a user-friendly, commission-free platform but with wider spreads. Both brokers accept Taiwan traders and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer and Credit Card in TWD. However, their regulatory frameworks differ: Admirals is regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC) while Plus500 is also well-regulated but with a simpler product offering. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Taiwan traders: cost efficiency, platform suitability, and ease of funding. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding these differences will help you align your choice with your trading style. Given the local context, including the FSC Taiwan's oversight of financial services, both brokers operate legally but with different levels of transparency and support. In this guide, we break down every key aspect—spreads, platforms, deposits, and regulation—so you can decide which broker truly fits your needs as a Taiwan-based trader.
| Instrument | Admirals | 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 | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
When comparing trading costs for Taiwan traders, Admirals has a clear advantage. On its Razor account, spreads on EUR/USD start from 0.5 pips with a small commission, while Plus500 uses a spread-only model that can exceed 1.5 pips on the same pair. For active traders executing multiple trades daily, Admirals offers significant savings. Additionally, Admirals provides lower swap rates for overnight positions, which benefits Taiwan traders holding positions beyond a day. Plus500's costs are transparent but can be higher during volatile market sessions. For Taiwan traders trading in TWD, both brokers convert deposits at market rates, but Admirals' lower spreads reduce overall transaction costs. If you trade high volumes, Admirals is more cost-effective in the long run.
| Account Type | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | Admirals | Plus500 | 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+ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Admirals offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are the gold standards for experienced traders in Taiwan. These platforms support advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. Plus500, on the other hand, provides a proprietary web-based platform that is intuitive and requires no download, but lacks the depth of analysis tools. For Taiwan traders who rely on technical analysis and algorithmic trading, Admirals is the better choice. Plus500's platform is suitable for beginners or those who prefer simplicity, but experienced traders may find it limiting. Both platforms are available in English and Chinese, but Admirals' MT4/5 have broader community support in Taiwan.
| Factor | Admirals | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 straight-through processing (STP) with no dealing desk, ensuring fast execution with minimal slippage. Plus500 operates a market maker model, which can lead to requotes during volatile markets. For Taiwan traders trading during Asian sessions, Admirals' execution is more reliable, especially for scalping or news trading. Plus500's execution is adequate for casual traders but may frustrate those needing precision. Overall, Admirals offers superior execution quality for experienced traders.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals is regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Plus500 is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC. Neither broker is directly regulated by the FSC Taiwan, but both comply with international standards that offer client fund segregation and negative balance protection. For Taiwan traders, this means your funds are held in separate accounts, reducing counterparty risk. Admirals also provides additional transparency through regular audits. While the FSC Taiwan does not directly oversee these brokers, they are recognized globally as reputable. Taiwan traders should ensure they understand the legal implications of trading with offshore brokers, but both are considered safe. Admirals' higher regulatory oversight (FCA) gives it a slight edge in investor protection.
| Payment Method | Admirals | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 1 to 3 business day |
Both Admirals and Plus500 accept Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits from Taiwan traders in TWD. Admirals requires a minimum deposit of $100 USD equivalent, while Plus500 has a lower minimum of $50 USD. Bank Transfers typically take 1-3 business days to process, with no broker fees, but your bank may charge intermediary fees. Credit Card deposits are instant and free, making them ideal for quick funding. For withdrawals, Admirals processes requests within 1 business day, while Plus500 can take up to 3 days. Both brokers support withdrawal back to the original payment method. Taiwan traders should note that Credit Card withdrawals may take longer due to card issuer policies. Overall, Admirals offers faster processing times, which is beneficial for active traders needing quick access to funds.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | 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 |
Admirals offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Taiwan who require Sharia-compliant trading. These accounts have no overnight interest charges, making them suitable for long-term positions. Plus500 does not explicitly offer Islamic accounts, but their overnight fees are applied to all accounts, which may conflict with Islamic principles. Taiwan Muslim traders should contact Admirals directly to request a swap-free account, as eligibility is verified on a case-by-case basis. While both brokers are accessible, only Admirals provides a clear path for Islamic trading in Taiwan.
| Support Feature | Admirals | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated support for Chinese-speaking clients. Plus500 also provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited. For Taiwan traders, Admirals' phone support is more reliable for urgent issues. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections in Chinese, but Admirals' response times are generally faster. If you prefer direct human interaction, Admirals is the stronger choice.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Admirals |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For experienced Taiwan traders, Admirals is the clear winner due to its lower spreads, advanced platforms, and faster fund processing. While Plus500 offers simplicity and a lower entry barrier, its wider spreads and market maker model can eat into profits for active traders. Both brokers support Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in TWD, but Admirals' regulatory edge (FCA) and Islamic account option add extra value. Considering the local context—FSC Taiwan's oversight and the need for reliable execution—Admirals aligns better with the demands of experienced retail traders. If you prioritize cost efficiency and professional tools, choose Admirals. If you're a beginner or trade casually, Plus500 is a viable alternative. Overall, Admirals earns our recommendation for Taiwan traders in 2026.