Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international forex exposure, choosing between Oanda and EasyMarkets involves weighing regulatory strength, cost structures, and deposit convenience. Oanda, with a CompareBroker score of 3.6/5, is a well-established broker regulated by the FCA and ASIC, offering variable spreads and deep liquidity. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads, risk management tools, and direct USDT deposit support, which is popular among offshore Chinese traders. Both brokers accept clients from China through international entities, but neither is regulated by the CSRC, meaning traders must operate within China's capital controls. The key differentiators are Oanda's tighter spreads for active traders versus EasyMarkets' beginner-friendly platform and cost certainty. This comparison focuses on factors most relevant to China traders: deposit methods like USDT and international bank transfers, trading platforms, regulatory safeguards, and overall suitability for offshore forex trading.
| Instrument | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 | Oanda |
For China traders, trading costs are a primary concern. Oanda offers variable spreads starting from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission on standard accounts. This benefits high-volume traders, as costs decrease with larger trade sizes. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads, typically 1.5-2.0 pips on major pairs, which remain stable during volatile Asian sessions. While Oanda's spreads are generally lower, EasyMarkets' fixed model protects traders from spread widening during news events. For China traders trading 1-5 lots per month, Oanda may save 30-50% on spread costs, but EasyMarkets offers predictability for those on tighter risk budgets.
| Account Type | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Oanda |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Oanda |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Oanda |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda provides its proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and TradingView integration, all available in English and Chinese. The platforms offer advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and automated strategies, appealing to experienced China traders. EasyMarkets offers its own web platform, MT4, and a mobile app with simplified features. Its platform includes risk management tools like 'Deal Cancellation' and 'Freeze Rate', which are unique and helpful for beginners. For China traders, Oanda's platform ecosystem is more powerful, while EasyMarkets' is more intuitive and less intimidating for those new to offshore trading.
| Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Oanda |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Oanda offers straight-through processing (STP) execution with no dealing desk intervention, providing fast order fills and minimal slippage. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model, which can lead to requotes during volatile periods, but guarantees execution for certain order types. For China traders trading during Asian sessions, Oanda's execution is generally more reliable for scalping and high-frequency strategies, while EasyMarkets suits traders who prefer fixed spreads and guaranteed stop losses.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda is regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CFTC (US), offering strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and the FSA (Seychelles), which provide less stringent oversight. For China traders, neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, so they must rely on the broker's home regulator. Oanda's FCA regulation is considered safer, while EasyMarkets' CySEC license offers basic protection. China traders should prioritize brokers with strong regulatory frameworks to mitigate geopolitical risks.
| Payment Method | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | 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) |
Both Oanda and EasyMarkets support deposits via USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers for China traders. USDT deposits are processed within minutes, avoiding CNY conversion delays and bank scrutiny. Oanda accepts USDT through third-party processors, with a minimum deposit of $0, while EasyMarkets directly supports USDT with a $25 minimum. International bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary fees. Withdrawals are processed similarly: USDT withdrawals are fastest (same day), while bank transfers take 2-5 days. EasyMarkets offers slightly more straightforward USDT handling, but Oanda's zero minimum deposit is advantageous for smaller accounts. China traders should note that all transactions are in USD or USDT, not CNY.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Oanda and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for China Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. Oanda provides Islamic accounts across all account types, with no overnight interest charges, but may apply an administrative fee after 10 consecutive nights. EasyMarkets also offers Islamic accounts with no swap fees, and its fixed spreads align with Islamic finance principles. Both brokers require a simple request during account opening. For China Muslim traders, EasyMarkets' simpler spread structure may be more appealing, while Oanda offers more trading flexibility.
| Support Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
Oanda provides 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English as the primary language. Chinese-language support is limited to email and chat during business hours. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 support in multiple languages including Chinese, with live chat and phone available. For China traders, EasyMarkets' Chinese-language support is more accessible, but Oanda's response times are generally faster. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Oanda |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Oanda |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Resource | Oanda | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Oanda |
Choose Oanda if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For China traders, the choice between Oanda and EasyMarkets hinges on trading style and regulatory comfort. Oanda (score 3.6/5) is the better option for active traders who prioritize low spreads, advanced platforms, and strong regulation. Its FCA and ASIC licenses offer peace of mind, though Chinese-language support is limited. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) suits beginners and those who prefer fixed spreads, direct USDT deposits, and a user-friendly platform. Both brokers accept China traders through offshore entities, but neither is CSRC-regulated. Ultimately, Oanda excels for cost efficiency and safety, while EasyMarkets wins on simplicity and deposit convenience. Consider your trading volume, platform needs, and risk tolerance when deciding.