Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, choosing the right forex broker is critical to long-term success. Tickmill and Plus500 are two well-known international brokers, but they cater to different trading styles and needs. Tickmill, rated 4 out of 5, is a favorite among active traders for its ultra-low spreads, deep liquidity, and powerful platforms like MetaTrader 4. Plus500, with a 3.7 out of 5 rating, is a user-friendly CFD broker popular for its proprietary web-based platform and zero-commission model. Both brokers accept Taiwan residents and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer and Credit Card, making it easy to fund accounts in TWD. However, they differ significantly in terms of trading costs, asset selection, and regulatory oversight. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns best with your experience level and trading goals in the Taiwan market. Whether you prioritize low spreads or simplicity, understanding these differences is key to making an informed choice.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Taiwan traders, Tickmill clearly outperforms Plus500. Tickmill offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account (with a small commission) and from 0.6 pips on Classic accounts, making it ideal for high-volume and scalping strategies. Plus500 uses variable spreads that are generally wider, averaging around 0.8-1.2 pips on EUR/USD, which can significantly impact profitability for frequent traders. Additionally, Tickmill does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees for Bank Transfer or Credit Card, while Plus500 may apply conversion fees for TWD deposits. For traders in Taiwan who execute many trades per day, Tickmill’s lower spreads translate directly into lower costs and better net returns.
| 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 |
| Entity / Asset | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (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 |
| 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 |
| Platform | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Platform choice is a major differentiator between Tickmill and Plus500 for Taiwan traders. Tickmill provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which offer advanced charting tools, custom indicators, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and fast execution. This suits experienced traders who need full control over their analysis. Plus500, on the other hand, uses a proprietary web-based platform that is intuitive and beginner-friendly but lacks advanced features like EAs and deep customization. For Taiwan traders who rely on algorithmic trading or complex strategies, Tickmill is the better choice. Plus500’s platform is more suitable for those who prefer a simple, mobile-friendly interface for manual trading.
| 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 |
Execution speed is crucial for active traders. Tickmill uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with straight-through processing (STP), offering ultra-fast execution with minimal slippage, even during high volatility. Plus500 operates as a market maker, which can lead to requotes and slightly slower execution, especially during news events. For Taiwan traders who scalp or trade frequently, Tickmill’s execution quality is superior, ensuring orders are filled at the requested prices. Plus500’s execution is acceptable for casual traders but not ideal for high-frequency strategies.
| Safety Factor | Tickmill | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Tickmill and Plus500 are regulated by top-tier authorities, but their oversight differs. Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSA (Seychelles), ensuring strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Plus500 is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC (Australia), offering similar protections. Neither broker is directly regulated by the FSC Taiwan, but they are legally allowed to accept Taiwan residents. For Taiwan traders, this means their funds are protected by European or UK regulatory frameworks, which are robust. However, traders should note that dispute resolution may be handled overseas. Both brokers are transparent about their licenses, and their long-standing reputations provide additional confidence for local users.
| 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 |
Funding your trading account in Taiwan is straightforward with both Tickmill and Plus500. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) deposits. Tickmill allows deposits in TWD via Bank Transfer with no fees, and funds are typically credited within 1-2 business days. Credit Card deposits are instant and free. Plus500 also accepts these methods but may convert TWD to USD/EUR at their exchange rate, which can incur small costs. Minimum deposits are low: Tickmill requires $100 USD equivalent, while Plus500 has no minimum for most methods. Withdrawals are processed quickly at both brokers, with Tickmill offering free withdrawals via Bank Transfer (no fee) and Plus500 charging a small fee for certain methods. Overall, Tickmill provides more cost-effective and flexible deposit/withdrawal options for Taiwan traders, especially for those using local Bank Transfers.
| 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 Taiwan who require swap-free (Islamic) accounts, both Tickmill and Plus500 offer solutions. Tickmill provides Islamic accounts upon request for clients who cannot earn or pay interest due to Sharia law. These accounts are available on all account types and feature no swap fees on overnight positions, though a small administration fee may apply after a certain holding period. Plus500 also offers swap-free trading for clients who declare their faith, but it is limited to certain instruments and may require contacting support. Taiwan Muslim traders should verify the specific terms with each broker before opening an account. Tickmill’s offering is generally more flexible and transparent for this requirement.
| 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 |
Customer support availability is important for Taiwan traders. Tickmill offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with agents who can assist in Mandarin Chinese. Plus500 also provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited to certain regions. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites. Tickmill’s support is more responsive and personalized for experienced traders, while Plus500’s support is adequate for basic queries. For Taiwan traders who may need assistance in Chinese during local business hours, Tickmill has a slight edge.
| 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 |
| Resource | Tickmill | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Tickmill |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Tickmill |
Choose Tickmill if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
In the battle of Tickmill vs Plus500 for Taiwan traders, Tickmill emerges as the stronger choice for experienced retail traders. Its ultra-low spreads, advanced MT4/MT5 platforms, and flexible deposit options via Bank Transfer and Credit Card make it ideal for active trading. Plus500 is a solid option for beginners or those who prefer a simplified trading experience, but its wider spreads and limited platform features are drawbacks for serious traders. Both brokers are legally accessible in Taiwan and accept local payment methods, but Tickmill offers better value for money and greater control. If you prioritize cost efficiency and trading power, Tickmill is the recommended broker for Taiwan in 2026.