Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking offshore exposure to global markets, choosing between AvaTrade and Plus500 is a critical decision. Both brokers accept Chinese clients and support deposits in CNY via USDT and Bank Transfer (international), but they differ significantly in features, costs, and overall suitability. AvaTrade, with a strong 4.6/5 rating, offers a comprehensive trading experience with over 1,200 instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs. Its MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms are popular among experienced traders. Plus500, rated 3.7/5, is a simpler, user-friendly broker focused on CFDs with a proprietary platform. While both operate offshore and are not regulated by the CSRC, they are licensed by reputable bodies like the Central Bank of Ireland and FCA. This comparison will help China traders decide which broker aligns with their trading style, deposit methods, and regulatory comfort. We’ll analyze spreads, platforms, deposit options, and support to give you a clear picture for 2026.
| Instrument | AvaTrade | 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 China traders, AvaTrade generally offers lower spreads, especially for active traders. On major forex pairs like EUR/USD, spreads start from 0.0 pips with the commission-based account, while Plus500’s spread-only model averages 0.6-1.2 pips. For high-volume traders, AvaTrade’s cost advantage becomes significant. Plus500’s spreads are competitive for popular indices like the S&P 500, but its overnight funding fees can add up for longer-term positions. AvaTrade also provides a fixed spread option on some accounts, which can be beneficial during volatile news events. Overall, if you trade frequently or in large sizes, AvaTrade’s lower costs are better for your bottom line.
| Account Type | AvaTrade | 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 | AvaTrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 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 | AvaTrade | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | AvaTrade |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | AvaTrade |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | AvaTrade |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | AvaTrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
AvaTrade offers multiple platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader, which are ideal for China traders who use advanced charting and automated trading. Plus500 uses a single, intuitive web-based platform that is easy to navigate but lacks advanced tools. For Chinese traders, AvaTrade’s support for MT4/MT5 on desktop and mobile is a major plus, allowing custom indicators and Expert Advisors (EAs). Plus500’s platform is better for beginners who want simplicity, but it limits scalability. Both platforms are available in simplified Chinese, though AvaTrade’s translation is more comprehensive.
| Factor | AvaTrade | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | AvaTrade |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
AvaTrade offers fast execution with an average speed of under 100ms on its STP/ECN infrastructure, which is ideal for scalpers and day traders. Plus500 uses a market maker model, which can lead to requotes during volatile periods. For China traders trading major forex pairs or indices, AvaTrade’s execution is more reliable, especially during Asian session peaks. Plus500’s execution is adequate for lower-frequency trading but may frustrate active traders.
| Safety Factor | AvaTrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither AvaTrade nor Plus500 is regulated by the CSRC, which is typical for offshore brokers serving China traders. AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, and FSCA, providing strong investor protection through negative balance protection and segregated accounts. Plus500 is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, with similar safeguards. For China traders, this means your funds are held in separate accounts, but you are not covered by Chinese deposit insurance. Both brokers are listed on public stock exchanges, adding transparency. Always use regulated entities from reputable jurisdictions to minimize risk.
| Payment Method | AvaTrade | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days | 1 to 3 business day |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for China traders at both brokers. AvaTrade supports USDT deposits (ERC-20 and TRC-20) with no fees and instant processing, plus Bank Transfer (international) that takes 1-3 business days. Minimum deposit is $100 via USDT. Plus500 also accepts USDT deposits via crypto wallets and bank transfers, with a minimum of $100. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 days for USDT and up to 5 days for bank transfers. AvaTrade offers more e-wallet options like Skrill and Neteller, which are useful for quick withdrawals. Both brokers require identity verification before first withdrawal, which can be done with a Chinese passport or national ID. For best speed, use USDT for both deposits and withdrawals.
| Islamic Account Feature | AvaTrade | 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 |
Both AvaTrade and Plus500 offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in China. AvaTrade provides these automatically upon request with no additional fees, and they are available for all account types. Plus500 requires you to contact customer support to enable the swap-free feature, which may take 24 hours. These accounts eliminate overnight interest, making them Sharia-compliant. However, some brokers may charge an administrative fee after holding positions for a certain period (e.g., 10 days). AvaTrade is more transparent about this, while Plus500’s terms can be less clear. For China-based Muslim traders, AvaTrade is the easier option.
| Support Feature | AvaTrade | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | AvaTrade |
AvaTrade provides 24/5 customer support in simplified Chinese via live chat, email, and phone. Response times are fast, usually under 2 minutes for chat. Plus500 offers 24/7 support but only in English, with Chinese language support limited to email. For China traders who prefer Mandarin assistance, AvaTrade is the better choice. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections, but AvaTrade’s localised support is a significant advantage.
| Mobile Feature | AvaTrade | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | AvaTrade |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | AvaTrade |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | AvaTrade | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | AvaTrade |
Choose AvaTrade if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For China traders in 2026, AvaTrade is the clear winner with its higher rating, lower costs, and better support for local needs like USDT deposits and Chinese-language assistance. Its regulation by multiple tier-1 authorities and comprehensive platform suite make it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. Plus500 is a decent alternative if you want simplicity and strong brand trust, but its higher spreads and limited platform may not suit active traders. Given the CSRC’s restrictions on offshore trading, using a reliable broker with flexible deposit methods like AvaTrade is essential. We recommend AvaTrade for most China traders seeking international exposure.