Tickmill vs Plus500: In-Depth Comparison for China Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — China Traders
For China traders looking to access international markets, choosing the right offshore broker is critical. Tickmill and Plus500 are two well-known options, but they cater to different trader profiles. Tickmill, rated 4/5, is a top choice for cost-conscious traders with its razor-sharp spreads and deep liquidity. Plus500, rated 3.7/5, is a user-friendly platform ideal for beginners who prefer simplicity. Both accept China traders and support deposits via USDT and Bank Transfer (international), making them accessible despite capital controls. However, with the CSRC not regulating either broker, China traders must prioritize security and cost efficiency. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, deposits, and more to help you decide which broker suits your offshore trading needs in 2026.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Tickmill | 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 | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For China traders, trading costs are a major factor. Tickmill offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Pro account with a low commission of $2 per lot per side. Plus500 uses fixed spreads, which are wider—for example, EUR/USD spreads start around 0.6 pips. For high-volume traders in China, Tickmill's variable spreads can lower costs significantly. Plus500's all-in-one pricing is simpler but more expensive over many trades. Using USDT deposits to fund accounts avoids currency conversion fees, further reducing overall costs for China traders.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - China Traders
| Entity / Asset | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | Tickmill | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Tickmill |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Tickmill |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Tickmill |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Plus500 provides a proprietary web-based platform that is intuitive and mobile-friendly, ideal for China traders new to forex. It includes built-in risk tools and no downloads needed. Tickmill offers MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are the industry standard for serious traders. MT4/5 support advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and custom indicators. For China traders who value algorithmic trading or detailed analysis, Tickmill's platform choice is superior. Plus500's simplicity suits casual traders.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Tickmill | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Tickmill |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Tickmill offers ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast order fills and minimal slippage. This is crucial for China traders using scalping or EA strategies. Plus500 uses market maker execution, which can lead to requotes during volatile markets. For active traders, Tickmill's execution quality is superior, while Plus500 is adequate for casual traders.
Regulation & Safety for China Traders
| Safety Factor | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated offshore and not by the CSRC. Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles), offering strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Plus500 is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC (Australia). For China traders, this means both are safe but not locally supervised. Tickmill's FCA regulation is particularly robust. Traders should verify that their chosen entity aligns with their risk tolerance and deposit method (USDT or Bank Transfer).
Deposits & Withdrawals for China
| Payment Method | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. | 1 to 3 business day |
China traders can deposit using USDT (Tether) via crypto wallets or international Bank Transfer (wire). Tickmill supports USDT deposits with no fees, processed instantly, and withdrawals are also free. Bank Transfer deposits take 1-3 business days with possible intermediary bank charges. Plus500 also accepts USDT and Bank Transfer, but withdrawals may incur a fee depending on the method. For speed and cost, USDT is the best option for China traders. Both brokers allow withdrawals back to the original deposit method, which is important for compliance with local banking rules.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for China Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Tickmill | 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 |
For Muslim traders in China, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. Tickmill provides Islamic accounts upon request for all account types, with no extra charges. Plus500 automatically applies swap-free status for eligible clients, but only on certain instruments. Tickmill's flexibility is better for China traders who trade multiple asset classes. No swap fees are charged on overnight positions, aligning with Sharia law. Both brokers require verification of eligibility.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Tickmill | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Tickmill |
Tickmill offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English and Chinese. Plus500 provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but Chinese language support is limited. For China traders, Tickmill's Chinese-language support is a clear advantage, especially for resolving deposit/withdrawal issues with USDT or Bank Transfer. Plus500's support is faster overall but less localized.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Tickmill | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Tickmill |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Tickmill |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | Tickmill | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Tickmill |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Tickmill |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Tickmill
Plus500
Who Should Use Which Broker? - China Guide
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Want low spreads and low commissions for high-volume trading.
- Use MetaTrader 4/5 for automated strategies or advanced charting.
- Prefer ECN execution with no requotes.
- Need Chinese-language customer support for deposit/withdrawal queries.
Choose Plus500 if you...
- Are a beginner seeking a simple, all-in-one platform.
- Prefer fixed spreads without worrying about variable costs.
- Want 24/7 customer support in English.
- Trade infrequently and value ease of use over cost efficiency.
FAQ - Tickmill vs Plus500 in China
Final Verdict - China 2026
For China traders seeking international exposure, Tickmill is the stronger choice overall. Its lower spreads, ECN execution, and MT4/5 support cater to active traders who want to minimize costs. Plus500 is a solid alternative for beginners who prioritize simplicity. Both accept USDT and Bank Transfer deposits, but Tickmill's Chinese-language support and flexible Islamic accounts give it an edge. While neither is CSRC-regulated, Tickmill's FCA oversight adds trust. In 2026, choose Tickmill for cost and control, or Plus500 for ease of use.