Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, choosing between XM Group and Tickmill is a critical decision. Both brokers are well-regarded globally, but they cater to different trading styles. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is a market leader with over 10 million clients, offering a wide range of instruments and a user-friendly experience. It supports Taiwan traders with local payment methods like Bank Transfer and Credit Card, and has a low minimum deposit of just $5. Tickmill, with a 4/5 rating, is favored by experienced traders for its raw spreads, fast execution, and transparent pricing. While both brokers accept Taiwan clients and are not directly regulated by FSC Taiwan, they operate under reputable international licenses. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in the Taiwan market.
| Instrument | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | Tickmill |
When comparing trading costs for Taiwan traders, Tickmill often wins on raw spreads, especially for major forex pairs like EUR/USD, where spreads can start from 0.0 pips on the Raw account (plus a $3.5 commission per lot). XM Group offers competitive spreads, typically from 0.6 pips on its Zero account without commission, but standard accounts have spreads around 1.0 pip. For high-volume traders in Taiwan, Tickmill's lower spreads can significantly reduce costs. However, XM Group's no-commission model may be simpler for those trading smaller volumes. Both brokers are transparent about fees, but Tickmill's pricing is more favorable for scalpers and day traders.
| Account Type | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and Tickmill offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are popular among Taiwan traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group additionally provides its own XM WebTrader and mobile apps, offering a more integrated experience. Tickmill focuses on MT4/MT5 but also offers a web trader. For Taiwan traders who value flexibility and ease of use, XM Group's platform ecosystem is slightly more comprehensive. Both platforms are available in English and Chinese, ensuring local language support.
| Factor | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is critical for experienced traders. Tickmill is known for its ultra-fast execution, with average speeds under 40 ms, and no requotes, thanks to its liquidity providers. XM Group also offers fast execution, typically under 50 ms, with no dealing desk intervention on most accounts. Both brokers use straight-through processing (STP) and have deep liquidity pools. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Taiwan, Tickmill's execution edge may be noticeable, but XM Group's execution is still excellent for most retail strategies.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Taiwan traders. XM Group is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), and ASIC (Australia), offering strong client protection including negative balance protection. Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC, and FSA (Seychelles). Neither broker is directly regulated by FSC Taiwan, but both comply with international standards. XM Group's multiple tier-1 licenses provide an extra layer of security. For Taiwan traders, this means funds are held in segregated accounts, and both brokers offer compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS for UK clients). Always check the specific entity you are trading with, as conditions may vary.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Taiwan traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer and Credit Card at both brokers. XM Group has a lower minimum deposit of $5 (approx. 160 TWD), making it more accessible for beginners. Tickmill requires a $100 minimum deposit (approx. 3,200 TWD). Credit Card deposits are instant at both, while Bank Transfer may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed efficiently: XM Group typically processes within 24 hours, while Tickmill aims for same-day processing. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank intermediary fees may apply for wire transfers. XM Group also offers local bank transfer options for Taiwan, which can reduce costs. Overall, XM Group is more convenient for smaller deposits, while Tickmill suits traders with larger capital.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating interest charges on overnight positions. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Standard and Zero accounts, with no additional fees. Tickmill also offers swap-free accounts, but they may be limited to certain account types and have conditions such as a maximum holding period on some instruments. Taiwan traders should confirm eligibility with each broker before opening an account. XM Group's offering is more straightforward and widely available.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
Customer support is available in English and Chinese for both brokers. XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, phone support, and a comprehensive FAQ. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. For Taiwan traders, XM Group's support is slightly more responsive, with faster response times on live chat. Both brokers have local phone numbers for Asia, but XM Group's multilingual support is better suited for Chinese-speaking traders.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | XM Group |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, both XM Group and Tickmill are excellent choices, but the best fit depends on your trading style. XM Group (4.7/5) is the more versatile option, offering lower entry barriers (minimum $5 deposit), support for local Bank Transfer and Credit Card payments, and a broader product range. It is ideal for traders who want a reliable, all-in-one broker with strong regulatory backing. Tickmill (4/5) excels in cost efficiency and execution speed, making it perfect for high-volume traders and scalpers. While neither broker is regulated by FSC Taiwan, both operate under reputable licenses and offer segregated accounts. Ultimately, XM Group is the safer choice for most Taiwan traders, but Tickmill is a compelling alternative for those prioritizing raw spreads and fast execution.