Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international exposure through offshore brokers, AvaTrade and EasyMarkets are two established names. AvaTrade, regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, offers a versatile trading environment with MetaTrader 4/5, AvaTradeGO, and a broad asset list including forex, CFDs, stocks, and crypto. EasyMarkets, with its proprietary platform and fixed spreads, appeals to beginners wanting simplicity. Both accept Chinese clients and support deposits via USDT and international bank transfers, but their offerings differ significantly in cost, platform flexibility, and regulatory oversight. This comparison focuses on what matters most to traders in China: cost efficiency, deposit ease, regulatory safety, and usability. While neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, they operate under reputable international bodies. We’ll analyze spreads, account types, Islamic accounts, and execution to help you decide which broker fits your offshore trading strategy in 2025.
| Instrument | AvaTrade | 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 | $100 | $25 | AvaTrade |
Cost is a critical factor for China traders, especially those dealing with volume. AvaTrade offers variable spreads starting from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts, with a raw spread account available at 0.0 pips plus commission ($7/round lot). EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, averaging 1.2–1.5 pips on majors, with no commission but wider bid-ask spreads on exotics. For active traders trading several lots per day, AvaTrade’s lower variable spreads reduce overall costs. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads provide price certainty but are consistently higher. Additionally, AvaTrade charges no deposit or withdrawal fees, while EasyMarkets may impose small fees for certain withdrawal methods. Overnight financing (swap) rates at both are competitive, but AvaTrade’s Islamic account option is more straightforward for long-term holding.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 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 | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice can make or break a trader’s experience. AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the industry gold standard favored by experienced Chinese traders for charting and automated trading. It also offers its own AvaTradeGO app with social trading features. EasyMarkets provides a proprietary web-based platform and mobile app with a clean interface, one-click trading, and built-in risk management tools like DealCancellation. However, it lacks MT4/MT5 support, which limits custom indicators and EA usage. For China traders who rely on Expert Advisors or advanced analysis, AvaTrade is the clear winner. EasyMarkets appeals to those who prefer simplicity and do not need third-party tools.
| Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Execution speed and reliability are crucial for day traders. AvaTrade uses STP execution with No Dealing Desk (NDD) model, providing fast order execution (under 100ms on active markets) and no requotes. EasyMarkets operates as a market maker with fixed spreads, which means execution is generally instant but may result in slippage during news events. AvaTrade’s execution model is better for scalping and high-frequency trading, while EasyMarkets suits traders who prefer guaranteed fills but wider spreads. For China traders using VPS or automated EAs, AvaTrade’s MT4 platform offers stable connectivity.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is paramount for offshore traders in China, as CSRC does not oversee these brokers. AvaTrade holds licenses from the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CySEC (Cyprus), offering strong investor protection (up to €20,000 under CySEC and UK FSCS coverage for eligible clients). EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and the FSC (South Africa). While both are reputable, AvaTrade’s additional FCA regulation provides an extra layer of security. Neither broker accepts Chinese residents directly under their regulated entities—clients open accounts via international subsidiaries—but they are transparent about this. Traders should verify which entity handles their account and understand the deposit protection scope. Overall, AvaTrade’s regulatory framework is slightly more robust for international clients.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 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) |
China traders favor brokers that support USDT deposits and international bank transfers. Both brokers accept USDT (Tether) via TRC20, ERC20, and BEP20 networks, allowing fast, low-cost funding without currency conversion issues. AvaTrade also accepts credit/debit cards, Skrill, and Neteller, while EasyMarkets additionally supports bank wire, credit cards, and local Chinese banks via its offshore payment partners. Minimum deposits: AvaTrade requires $100, EasyMarkets $25—making EasyMarkets more accessible. Withdrawals are processed within 1–24 hours for crypto and 2–5 business days for bank transfers. AvaTrade does not charge withdrawal fees, but EasyMarkets may charge a small fee (e.g., $5) for bank wire. Both require KYC documentation (passport, utility bill) for first withdrawal. Tip: Use USDT for instant, low-cost transactions.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | 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 |
Muslim traders in China can open Islamic (swap-free) accounts at both brokers. AvaTrade offers swap-free accounts on all account types (including MT4/MT5) with no extra commissions or hidden fees, though long-term holding may incur a small administrative fee after a certain period. EasyMarkets also provides Islamic accounts with no overnight interest, but they may restrict certain trading strategies (e.g., hedging) and typically charge a small fee if positions are held beyond a specified number of days. AvaTrade’s policy is more transparent and trader-friendly. Both brokers require a simple request via customer support, and accounts are usually activated within 24 hours.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
Customer support quality is vital for China traders, especially when dealing with offshore brokers. AvaTrade offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Chinese-speaking agents available during Asian market hours. EasyMarkets also provides 24/5 support with live chat and email, but Chinese language support is limited to certain times. Both have extensive FAQ sections and video tutorials. For immediate assistance, AvaTrade’s quicker response times and Chinese language availability give it an edge.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | AvaTrade | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For China traders seeking offshore exposure, AvaTrade is the superior choice overall for active and experienced traders: lower spreads, stronger regulation (FCA), powerful platforms (MT4/MT5), and excellent support for USDT deposits and Islamic accounts. EasyMarkets is a viable alternative for beginners or those who prefer predictable fixed spreads and a lower entry barrier. However, given the importance of cost efficiency and platform flexibility for most Chinese traders, AvaTrade’s higher score (4.6/5 vs 3.4/5) reflects its better fit for international trading. Neither broker is regulated by CSRC, so traders must ensure compliance with local laws. Considering the local trading context, AvaTrade’s comprehensive offering for offshore traders—especially those using USDT and seeking advanced tools—makes it the recommended broker for China in 2025.