EasyMarkets vs Tickmill: A Detailed Comparison for Japan Traders

For Japanese traders, the cost of trading JPY pairs is a critical factor. Tickmill offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Pro account with a commission of $2 per lot per side (≈¥280), while EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads starting from 1 pip on major pairs like USD/JPY. For a typical day trader executing 10 lots per day, Tickmill's total cost (spread + commission) can be 30-40% lower than EasyMarkets’ fixed spread model. However, EasyMarkets guarantees no slippage, which can be valuable during volatile Japanese sessions. High-volume traders in Japan will find Tickmill significantly cheaper in the long run.

Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the industry standards for Japanese traders. Tickmill also offers WebTrader and mobile apps with advanced charting and automated trading. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web platform alongside MT4, which includes features like dealCancellation (allowing traders to undo losing trades for a fee) and guaranteed stop losses. For sophisticated traders in Japan who rely on custom indicators and Expert Advisors, Tickmill’s raw MT4/5 environment is more suitable, while EasyMarkets is better for those who want added safety tools.

Execution quality is important for Japanese day traders. Tickmill uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with low latency from servers in London and New York, offering typical execution under 30 ms. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed execution, which eliminates slippage but may result in requotes during volatile Asian sessions. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Japan, Tickmill’s NDD execution is superior, while EasyMarkets suits traders who prioritize trade certainty over speed.

Regulation is a key consideration for Japanese traders, since neither broker holds a license from Japan’s FSA. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and FSCA (South Africa). Tickmill is regulated by the UK FCA, CySEC, and FSA Seychelles. For Japanese clients, the FCA-regulated entity (Tickmill UK) offers the strongest tier-1 protection, including negative balance protection and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. However, FSA Japan regulation does not directly cover offshore brokers. Japanese traders should verify that the broker’s entity accepting them is legitimate and consider using only regulated entities for safety.

Japanese traders can fund their accounts via Bank Transfer and Credit Card with both brokers. EasyMarkets accepts Visa, MasterCard, and bank wires with no deposit fees, while Tickmill also supports e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. Base currency can be set to JPY (Japanese Yen) at both brokers, avoiding conversion costs. Minimum deposit is $100 (≈¥14,000) for both. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for credit cards and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Tickmill offers faster processing for e-wallet withdrawals (same day). Neither broker charges internal withdrawal fees, but bank transfers may incur intermediary charges. Always check your bank’s international transfer fees.

For Japanese Muslim traders requiring swap-free accounts, both EasyMarkets and Tickmill offer Islamic account options. EasyMarkets provides a dedicated Islamic account with no swap charges on all instruments, available on request. Tickmill offers swap-free conditions on its Standard and Pro accounts, but you must request it via support. Note that Tickmill may restrict certain trading strategies (e.g., high-frequency scalping) on Islamic accounts. Japanese traders should confirm that the account type supports JPY pairs and that swap charges are fully waived.

Customer support is available in English via live chat, email, and phone for both brokers. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat with quick response times, but Japanese language support is not directly advertised. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support with a knowledge base and FAQ. For Japanese speakers, neither broker has a dedicated Japan office, so communication will be in English. However, both brokers accept Japanese yen deposits and provide multilingual documentation that may include Japanese.