Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking offshore forex exposure, EasyMarkets and Tickmill are two popular international brokers, but they serve different trader profiles. EasyMarkets (rated 3.4/5) is known for its user‑friendly platform, fixed spreads, and risk‑management tools like DealCancellation, making it appealing to beginners and those who value simplicity. Tickmill (rated 4/5) stands out with its raw spreads from 0.0 pips, superior execution speeds, and lower overall trading costs, which attract active traders and scalpers. Both brokers accept clients from Mainland China, offer USDT deposits and international bank transfers, and operate under offshore regulators—neither is regulated by the CSRC. This comparison for 2025 focuses on what matters most to China traders: costs, deposit methods, platform usability, and regulatory safety, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | 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 | $25 | $100 | Tickmill |
For China traders, trading costs are a key factor, especially when trading volumes are high. EasyMarkets uses a fixed‑spread model with average spreads of 1.2 pips on EUR/USD and no commission—this is predictable but relatively expensive for frequent trading. Tickmill offers variable spreads starting at 0.0 pips on its Pro account plus a commission of $3 per lot per side, resulting in much lower total costs for active traders. On a 100‑lot monthly volume, Tickmill’s spreads can save China traders over $500 compared to EasyMarkets. For scalpers and day traders using USDT deposits to avoid bank delays, Tickmill’s cost advantage is significant.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
China traders prioritise platform stability and mobile access. EasyMarkets provides proprietary WebTrader and a mobile app that are simple to use, with built‑in risk tools and no need for third‑party software. Tickmill offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MT5, which are the industry standards for charting, automated trading, and EA support. For traders familiar with MT4/5 or those who use custom indicators, Tickmill is the better choice. EasyMarkets’ platform may suit beginners or traders who prefer a streamlined interface without complex features.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 directly impacts trading results. Tickmill uses Equinix NY4 data centers and offers ultra‑low latency, with average execution speeds under 30ms and no requotes on its Pro account. EasyMarkets uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution but with fixed spreads that can be slightly slower during volatile markets. For China traders using USDT deposited accounts to scalp or trade news events, Tickmill’s execution is superior. EasyMarkets’ execution is adequate for swing trading but may disappoint high‑frequency traders.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Tickmill holds a CSRC licence, meaning they are not directly regulated by Chinese authorities. EasyMarkets is regulated by the CySEC (Cyprus) and FSA (Seychelles), while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), FSA (Seychelles), and CySEC. For China traders, this means no local investor protection but both brokers have a solid offshore track record. Tickmill’s FCA regulation provides a slightly higher level of oversight, which may matter to risk‑aware traders. Always check the offshore entity used for your account, as terms differ by jurisdiction.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
For China traders, funding accounts without triggering capital controls is crucial. Both EasyMarkets and Tickmill accept USDT (Tether) deposits, which bypass traditional banking delays and allow instant funding. EasyMarkets also supports international bank transfers (SWIFT) with a minimum deposit of $100, while Tickmill offers bank wire, credit/debit cards, and USDT with a minimum of $25 for the Classic account. Withdrawals are processed within 1‑2 business days for USDT, faster than bank transfers which can take 3‑5 days. Note that bank transfers may require CNY‑USD conversion, incurring extra fees; USDT is recommended for China traders who want low‑cost, fast transactions. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but international bank transfers may involve intermediary bank charges.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | 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 |
China’s Muslim traders can access swap‑free accounts at both brokers. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Tickmill provides Islamic accounts on its Classic and Pro accounts, also swap‑free, but may charge a fee after a holding period (e.g., 30 days) for some instruments. China traders practising Sharia law should confirm with each broker’s support that the specific instruments they trade (e.g., indices, commodities) remain swap‑free indefinitely. EasyMarkets’ policy is more straightforward with no time limits, while Tickmill’s terms are more nuanced.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | 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 critical for China traders facing time zone differences. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat and email support with English and Chinese language options. Tickmill also provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email, with Mandarin‑speaking agents available during Asian trading hours. Tickmill’s response times are slightly faster based on user reviews, and they offer a comprehensive FAQ section. For China traders, both brokers are responsive, but Tickmill’s Mandarin support is more reliable outside European hours.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For China traders in 2025, Tickmill is the stronger choice if raw performance and low costs matter, especially for active traders using USDT deposits. Its 4/5 rating, tighter spreads, faster execution, and flexible platforms (MT4/5) suit those who trade frequently or use automated strategies. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) is better for beginners who value simplicity, fixed costs, and risk‑management features like DealCancellation, even at the expense of higher spreads. Both brokers accept USDT and international bank transfers, making them accessible from China, but Tickmill’s lower minimum deposit ($25) and overall fee structure give it an edge. Always check the offshore entity used and ensure you comply with local capital controls when funding your account.