Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced Taiwan traders, choosing between IC Markets and InvestoPro is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, execution speed, and overall profitability. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is a globally recognised broker regulated by ASIC and CySEC, offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips and ultra-fast execution via MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader. InvestoPro, rated 3.8/5, is a smaller broker targeting retail traders with a user-friendly platform and Islamic account options, but its offshore regulation and higher spreads make it less competitive. Both brokers accept Taiwan traders, support local Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in TWD, and do not fall under direct FSC Taiwan supervision. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Taiwan’s experienced retail traders: cost, reliability, and local payment convenience.
| Instrument | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | InvestoPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | InvestoPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | InvestoPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | InvestoPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 | InvestoPro |
IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs for Taiwan traders, with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs and a commission of $3.50 per standard lot. For a typical Taiwan trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, this translates to a total cost of around $35 in commission plus negligible spread costs. In contrast, InvestoPro’s spreads average 1.2 pips on the same pair with no commission, resulting in a cost of $120 for the same volume. Over a year, the difference of $1,020 can substantially impact profitability, especially for high-frequency traders in Taiwan.
| Account Type | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:500 |
| 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 | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides Taiwan traders with a choice of MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all optimised for low latency and advanced charting. cTrader is particularly popular among experienced traders for its depth of market and customisable interface. InvestoPro offers only a proprietary web-based platform and a basic mobile app, which lacks the advanced tools and speed required for active trading. For Taiwan traders who rely on automated trading or complex analysis, IC Markets is the clear winner.
| Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | InvestoPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets delivers ultra-fast execution with an average latency of 10-20 ms, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data centre and no-dealing-desk model. InvestoPro uses a market maker model with a dealing desk, resulting in average execution speeds of 100-200 ms and potential requotes during volatile markets. For Taiwan traders who scalp or trade news events, IC Markets’ execution quality is essential for avoiding slippage.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities including ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), providing strong client fund protection and negative balance protection. While not regulated by the FSC Taiwan, IC Markets’ ASIC license offers a high level of trust. InvestoPro operates under an offshore license (likely from Vanuatu or SVG), which offers minimal oversight and no compensation scheme. For Taiwan traders, IC Markets’ regulatory framework ensures greater security and recourse in case of disputes.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days |
Both IC Markets and InvestoPro support Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits for Taiwan traders, but IC Markets processes them faster. Bank transfers to IC Markets via local TWD accounts are typically completed within 1-2 business days, while InvestoPro can take up to 3 days. Credit card deposits are instant with both brokers, though InvestoPro may charge a small fee (around 2-3%) for certain cards. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours for credit cards and 1-2 days for bank transfers, whereas InvestoPro may take 2-5 business days. IC Markets also offers additional e-wallet options like Skrill and Neteller, which are less common in Taiwan but useful for some traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Taiwan, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts, but with key differences. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types (Standard, Raw, and cTrader) with no additional fees, and these accounts maintain the same tight spreads and fast execution. InvestoPro offers Islamic accounts automatically for certain account tiers, but spreads on these accounts are wider (averaging 1.5 pips) and execution may be slower. Given the lower costs and better conditions, IC Markets is the preferred option for Taiwan’s Muslim traders.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Asia-Pacific clients including Mandarin-speaking agents. InvestoPro provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, but response times can be slower (up to 12 hours) and language support is limited to English. For Taiwan traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support in Mandarin is a significant advantage.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose InvestoPro if you...
For experienced Taiwan traders, IC Markets is the superior choice due to its lower trading costs, faster execution, stronger regulation (ASIC), and better support for local payments like Bank Transfer and Credit Card in TWD. While InvestoPro offers a simpler platform and Islamic accounts, its wider spreads, slower execution, and weaker regulatory oversight make it less suitable for active traders. Given the FSC Taiwan’s lack of direct supervision over offshore brokers, IC Markets’ ASIC license provides a higher level of security. For most Taiwan traders aiming to maximise profitability and reliability, IC Markets is the recommended broker in 2025.