Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, choosing between Admirals and Tickmill is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and overall profitability. Both brokers are well-regarded globally, but they cater to slightly different trader profiles. Admirals, with a strong score of 4.1/5, offers a comprehensive trading environment with multiple account types, advanced educational tools, and a wide range of tradable instruments. Tickmill, scoring 4/5, is renowned for its ultra-competitive pricing, raw spreads, and lightning-fast execution, making it a favorite among scalpers and high-frequency traders. In the Taiwan context, both brokers accept local deposits via Bank Transfer and Credit Card, and they provide support in Traditional Chinese. However, neither is directly regulated by the FSC Taiwan, so traders must rely on their international licenses (FCA, CySEC, FSA). This comparison will help you evaluate which broker aligns best with your trading style, focusing on costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods.
| Instrument | Admirals | 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 | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
For Taiwan traders, trading costs are a major consideration, especially for those trading high volumes. Tickmill takes the lead with its Raw account, offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot per side (round turn $6). Admirals' Zero.MT4 account offers spreads from 0.0 pips but with a slightly higher commission of $3.5 per lot per side. On standard accounts, Admirals has spreads around 0.5-0.8 pips with no commission, while Tickmill's Classic account has spreads from 1.0-1.2 pips. For Taiwan traders executing 50+ lots per month, Tickmill's raw pricing model can save significant costs. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees for Bank Transfer and Credit Card, but currency conversion fees may apply if depositing in TWD.
| Account Type | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and Tickmill offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by Taiwan traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. Admirals goes a step further by providing its proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps, along with integrated tools like the Trading Central analysis and VPS for algorithmic trading. Tickmill focuses on a streamlined experience with MT4/MT5 and a clean web trader. For Taiwan traders who value extra analytical tools and educational resources, Admirals is a stronger choice. However, for those who prefer the raw MT4/MT5 experience with fast execution, Tickmill delivers.
| Factor | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 |
Execution quality is a key differentiator for experienced traders. Tickmill is known for its ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging under 40ms on its Pro and Raw accounts, with no dealing desk intervention. Admirals also offers fast execution, typically under 60ms, but may have occasional requotes during volatile markets. Both brokers use Straight Through Processing (STP) for most accounts, ensuring transparency. For Taiwan traders who scalp or trade news events, Tickmill's superior execution speed and raw spreads give it a clear edge. Admirals' execution is still reliable for swing traders and position traders.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Taiwan traders, as neither Admirals nor Tickmill is directly regulated by the FSC Taiwan. Admirals is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSA (Seychelles), offering strong client protection including negative balance protection and compensation schemes (FSCS up to £85,000 for UK clients). Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSA (Seychelles), with similar protections. For Taiwan traders, it is important to note that while these international licenses provide a high level of security, they do not guarantee local dispute resolution under the FSC Taiwan. Both brokers have a solid track record and are considered safe for retail traders. We recommend trading under the FCA entity for maximum protection.
| Payment Method | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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 Taiwan traders at both brokers. Admirals supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), and local options like UnionPay. The minimum deposit is $100 (or equivalent in TWD), and withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for Credit Card and 2-5 days for Bank Transfer. Tickmill also accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card, with a minimum deposit of $100. Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours for Credit Card and 1-3 days for Bank Transfer. Both brokers do not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals, but your bank may impose currency conversion fees if you deposit in TWD. For Taiwan traders, using Credit Card is the fastest method, while Bank Transfer is ideal for larger sums. Always check the broker's website for the latest payment options in Taiwan.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | 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 Admirals and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Taiwan who adhere to Sharia law. These accounts do not charge overnight swap fees on positions held beyond the trading day. Admirals provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, while Tickmill offers them on the Classic and Pro accounts. Taiwan traders need to contact customer support to activate the account, and both brokers require proof of Muslim faith or a declaration. It is important to note that Islamic accounts may have longer holding periods before fees are applied, and some instruments may still incur charges. Both brokers are transparent about their policies, making them suitable for Taiwan's Muslim trading community.
| Support Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Customer support is crucial for Taiwan traders, especially when dealing with international brokers. Admirals offers 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated agents who can communicate in Traditional Chinese. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual support including Chinese. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. Admirals' support is slightly more responsive and offers more localized assistance for Taiwan traders, including local contact numbers. Tickmill's support is efficient but may have longer wait times during peak hours.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For Taiwan traders, the choice between Admirals and Tickmill ultimately depends on your trading style and priorities. Admirals (score 4.1/5) is the better option if you value a comprehensive trading ecosystem with advanced tools, educational support, and a wider range of instruments. It is ideal for traders who want to grow their skills and have access to multiple asset classes. Tickmill (score 4/5) is the champion of low-cost, high-speed trading, making it perfect for experienced scalpers and high-volume traders who prioritize spreads and execution. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits from Taiwan, and while neither is regulated by the FSC Taiwan, their international licenses provide strong security. We recommend Admirals for most Taiwan traders due to its higher overall score and better local support, but Tickmill is a formidable alternative for cost-conscious traders. Always test both with a demo account before committing real funds.