Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For offshore traders in China seeking international forex exposure, EasyMarkets and Plus500 are two well-known brokers. While neither is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), they remain popular among Chinese traders for their easy access via USDT and international bank transfers. EasyMarkets scores 3.4/5, offering fixed spreads and a simple platform, while Plus500 scores 3.7/5, with variable spreads and a more advanced trading suite. This comparison focuses on factors important to China traders: deposit methods, regulatory status under CSRC, trading costs in CNY terms, and platform accessibility. Both brokers operate outside China, so traders must consider legal and practical implications. We'll assess which broker better serves the needs of Chinese traders aiming for global markets.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | 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 | $25 | $100 | Plus500 |
For China traders, trading costs directly impact profitability, especially given potential CNY conversion fees. Plus500 offers variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, which for a 1 lot trade means approximately $6 per round turn. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads around 1.2 pips on the same pair, costing $12 per round turn. However, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect against slippage during volatile Asian sessions. For high-volume traders trading multiple lots daily, Plus500's lower variable spreads may be more cost-effective. Both brokers do not charge commission on forex, but EasyMarkets' hedging feature can add costs. Chinese traders using USDT deposits avoid conversion fees, but bank transfers may incur additional charges from intermediary banks. Consider your trading frequency when choosing.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Plus500 provides a powerful proprietary web-based platform with advanced charting, over 2,800 instruments, and a user-friendly interface ideal for Chinese traders comfortable with English menus. EasyMarkets offers its own web platform and mobile app, plus a web-based version of MetaTrader 4 (via WebTrader). For China traders, platform stability and speed are critical due to VPN usage and delayed connections. Plus500's platform is known for fast execution and a comprehensive demo account. EasyMarkets’ platform includes unique risk management tools like DealCancellation and Freeze Rate, which appeal to cautious traders. Both platforms are accessible via standard browsers and mobile, with no download required for Plus500. Chinese traders should test each platform's performance under local internet conditions.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 |
Plus500 uses STP (Straight Through Processing) execution with no dealing desk, ensuring fast order execution with minimal slippage, beneficial for scalping strategies common among Chinese traders. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model, which can result in re-quotes during high volatility. However, EasyMarkets offers guaranteed stop-loss orders and fixed spreads, reducing execution risk for news trading. For China traders connecting via overseas VPNs, Plus500's server infrastructure (in London and Chicago) may provide faster order routing. Execution speed is critical for day traders; Plus500 has a slight edge in consistency.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Plus500 is regulated by the CSRC, making them offshore brokers for China traders. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), while Plus500 is regulated by CySEC, FCA (UK), and ASIC. For Chinese traders, this means limited local legal protection. The CSRC warns against unlicensed forex trading, but many traders still use these offshore platforms. The key difference: Plus500's FCA regulation offers stronger client fund segregation and compensation schemes, while EasyMarkets' ASIC license ensures strict financial standards. Traders should be aware that deposit disputes are handled under foreign jurisdictions. It is essential to use only trusted brokers and understand that CSRC does not oversee these brokers' operations.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 1 to 3 business day |
Chinese traders have two primary deposit methods: USDT (Tether) and international bank transfer in USD or EUR. EasyMarkets accepts USDT deposits with a minimum of $250, while Plus500 starts at $100. Using USDT avoids traditional bank currency conversion and speeds up funding — funds appear within minutes. International bank transfers require sending CNY to the broker's overseas account, which may involve capital control restrictions and fees (usually $10-50 per transfer). Withdrawals are processed similarly: USDT withdrawals are faster (1-3 days) and avoid conversion losses, while bank transfers can take up to 5 days and may require proof of deposit source. Plus500 offers more withdrawal options including PayPal for non-Chinese users, but for China, USDT is the most efficient method. Ensure your account is verified before requesting withdrawals.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | 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 |
Both EasyMarkets and Plus500 provide swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in China who need to comply with Sharia law. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts upon request, with no swap charges on overnight positions. However, the account may have a shorter grace period or additional administration fee. Plus500 automatically applies swap-free status to clients from countries with a majority Muslim population, including China. The swap-free status covers most instruments, but some CFDs may incur holding fees. Chinese Muslim traders should clarify the terms with each broker's support team before opening an account. Both brokers allow holding positions overnight without accruing or paying interest, meeting Islamic finance requirements.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with an office in Cyprus. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support in multiple languages, but Chinese language support is limited. EasyMarkets has a dedicated Chinese-speaking team, making it more accessible for Mandarin speakers. Plus500's support is generally responsive but may rely on English for complex queries. Chinese traders may find EasyMarkets easier to communicate with for account issues. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For China traders operating in the offshore space, Plus500 (3.7/5) edges out EasyMarkets (3.4/5) due to its lower trading costs, wider product range, and faster USDT deposits. EasyMarkets remains a solid choice for beginners or those who value fixed spreads and Chinese language support. However, both brokers operate outside CSRC regulation, so traders must accept that legal recourse is limited. The ability to deposit via USDT and use international bank transfers provides necessary flexibility for Chinese clients. Ultimately, choose Plus500 for cost efficiency and instrument variety, or EasyMarkets for simplicity and risk management. Always test with a demo account first and ensure your trading strategy aligns with the broker's strengths.