EasyMarkets vs IC Markets for China Traders (2026)

Spread costs are a top concern for China traders, especially those trading in USD or commodities. IC Markets offers the lowest average spreads: EUR/USD from 0.0 pips on Raw account (plus $3.50 commission per lot) and from 0.6 pips on Standard account. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads of 1-2 pips on major forex pairs, with no commission. For a China trader executing 100 standard lots per month, IC Markets saves roughly $200-$500 in spread costs depending on the pair. However, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect against slippage during volatile news events, which can be a hidden cost for IC Markets users on raw accounts. Overall, IC Markets is more cost-effective for volume traders.

Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, essential for China traders familiar with automated strategies. IC Markets also provides cTrader, which offers deeper market depth and faster execution – ideal for scalpers. EasyMarkets' proprietary platform is browser-based and simpler, but lacks advanced charting tools and EA support. For China traders using VPS or Expert Advisors, IC Markets’ compatibility with all three platforms gives a clear advantage. EasyMarkets does not support cTrader, which may disappoint some traders. Mobile apps from both are available on iOS and Android, but IC Markets’ app is more feature-rich.

IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-fast execution using Equinix NY4 servers and a no-dealing-desk (NDD) model. Average execution speed is under 40ms, with minimal requotes – essential for scalpers and EA users. EasyMarkets uses a dealing desk model with fixed spreads, which can introduce slippage and requotes during high volatility. For China traders relying on algorithmic strategies, IC Markets’ execution is superior. EasyMarkets’ execution is acceptable for manual traders who prioritise price certainty over speed.

Neither EasyMarkets nor IC Markets is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), meaning they are not allowed to solicit clients within mainland China. China traders must open accounts on their own initiative from offshore. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (EU) and FSA (Seychelles); IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC. ASIC's stricter capital requirements offer stronger client fund protection, though neither offers negative balance protection as standard to offshore clients. For China traders, regulation matters less for legal recourse but influences broker reliability. IC Markets' ASIC license is often viewed as more robust by experienced traders.

China traders can fund accounts using USDT (Tether) or international bank transfers (SWIFT in USD). Both brokers process USDT deposits quickly (usually under 30 minutes) with no internal fees. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days and involve intermediary bank charges. IC Markets has a minimum deposit of $200; EasyMarkets requires a minimum of $100 (or equivalent). Withdrawals via USDT are also fast and often free. For bank transfers, both brokers charge a small withdrawal fee (around $15-20). EasyMarkets offers slightly faster bank withdrawals (1-2 days) compared to IC Markets (2-5 days). USDT remains the most convenient method for China traders due to capital controls.

Muslim traders in China who require swap-free accounts are supported by both brokers. EasyMarkets provides an automatic Islamic account upon request with no additional fees and no swap charges even on long-term positions. IC Markets also offers Islamic accounts but charges a small administrative fee on certain instruments held overnight. For China-based traders, EasyMarkets’ straightforward no-fee policy may be more favorable, but IC Markets' lower spreads still make it cost-effective for short-term trading. Both options are available after account approval, and you must confirm eligibility (not a resident of prohibited jurisdictions).

EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat and email support with Mandarin service during specific hours. IC Markets also provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with Mandarin-speaking agents available. IC Markets’ support is generally faster and more technical, suitable for traders dealing with complex platform issues. EasyMarkets’ support is friendlier for beginners. Response times for both are under 1 minute on live chat. Neither offers 24/7 support on weekends, which is a gap for traders active outside standard forex hours.