Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international forex exposure, choosing between EasyMarkets and Alpari involves weighing regulatory safety, trading costs, and deposit convenience. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly platform and innovative features like Deal Cancellation and free guaranteed stop-loss orders. Alpari, scoring 3.1/5, is a well-established broker with tighter spreads and a strong reputation in global markets. Both brokers are not regulated by the CSRC, meaning they operate as offshore entities for China clients. This comparison focuses on key factors for China traders: CNY-friendly deposits via USDT and international bank transfers, trading costs in volatile Asian sessions, and the availability of Islamic accounts. Whether you prioritize cost efficiency or advanced risk tools, this guide helps you decide which broker aligns with your offshore trading strategy.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Alpari |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Alpari |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Alpari |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Alpari |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 | EasyMarkets |
For China traders, spreads and commissions directly affect profitability, especially when trading in high-volume sessions. EasyMarkets offers fixed spreads starting from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD, providing cost certainty but slightly higher than Alpari's variable spreads from 0.6 pips on the same pair. Alpari's Raw Spread account charges a commission of $3.5 per lot, which can be economical for frequent traders. EasyMarkets includes commission-free trading on most accounts, appealing to those who prefer simplicity. For China traders executing large volumes, Alpari's lower spreads may reduce overall costs, while EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect against slippage during news events.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $30 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Alpari |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by China traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. EasyMarkets also provides its proprietary web-based platform with a clean interface and built-in risk management tools like Deal Cancellation. Alpari focuses on MT4/MT5 and adds a mobile app for on-the-go trading. For China traders who value ease of use and innovation, EasyMarkets' proprietary platform is a plus. However, those relying on Expert Advisors (EAs) will find both brokers compatible, with Alpari offering slightly faster execution for algorithmic strategies.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Alpari |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is crucial for China traders in fast-moving Asian markets. EasyMarkets offers market execution with no requotes on its proprietary platform, while Alpari uses ECN/STP execution on MT4/MT5. Alpari generally provides faster execution speeds (under 50ms) and lower latency, which suits scalpers and news traders. EasyMarkets' execution is reliable but may have slightly higher slippage during volatile events. For China traders prioritizing speed, Alpari has an edge.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Alpari is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), meaning they operate as offshore brokers for China traders. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while Alpari holds licenses from FCA (UK) and FSC (Mauritius). For China traders, this means no local investor protection but access to international markets. EasyMarkets offers negative balance protection, which is valuable for risk management. Alpari's FCA regulation provides strong fund segregation, but its offshore entities may have less stringent oversight. China traders should verify the specific entity they open an account with to understand protection levels.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 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) | Cryptocurrency / E-Wallets: Instant to 2 hours (after internal processing).Credit / Debit Cards: 2 to 10 business days.Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 5 business days. |
Deposit and withdrawal options are critical for China traders due to capital controls. Both EasyMarkets and Alpari support USDT (Tether) deposits, which are fast and avoid traditional banking delays. International bank transfers are also available but may take 2-5 business days. EasyMarkets accepts credit/debit cards and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, while Alpari adds Perfect Money and WebMoney. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets starts at $100, Alpari at $50. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for USDT and 3-7 days for bank transfers. USDT is the preferred method for China traders due to lower fees and faster processing. Always check for any withdrawal fees, which vary by method.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari |
|---|---|---|
| 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 EasyMarkets and Alpari offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China who require compliance with Sharia law. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts with no swap or interest on overnight positions, applicable to all account types. Alpari also offers swap-free accounts upon request, though availability may depend on the trading entity. For China traders, these accounts are available for standard and raw spread accounts. It's important to note that some instruments, like commodities and indices, may incur administration fees after a holding period. Traders should confirm terms with support before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is available 24/5 for both brokers, with EasyMarkets offering 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone. Alpari provides support in multiple languages, including Chinese, via live chat and email during market hours. EasyMarkets' round-the-clock support is beneficial for China traders active during Asian sessions. Alpari's Chinese-language support is helpful for local queries. Response times are generally under 5 minutes for live chat on both platforms.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Alpari | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Alpari if you...
For China traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Alpari hinges on trading style and priorities. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) excels with its fixed spreads, innovative risk management, and 24/7 support, making it ideal for beginners or those who value stability. Alpari (3.1/5) offers tighter spreads and faster execution, appealing to cost-conscious scalpers and algorithmic traders. Both accept USDT deposits, bypassing local banking restrictions, and offer Islamic accounts. However, neither is CSRC-regulated, so China traders must accept offshore risks. Ultimately, if you prioritize control and simplicity, choose EasyMarkets. For raw spread efficiency and speed, Alpari is the better fit.