Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international exposure through offshore forex and CFD trading, choosing the right broker is critical. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, and Libertex, with a solid 3.7/5, are two popular options among Chinese traders accessing global markets. While both accept clients from China via international entities, they differ significantly in trading costs, platform features, and deposit methods. Exness is known for its ultra-low spreads, high leverage up to 1:2000, and support for USDT deposits, making it ideal for volume-driven traders. Libertex offers a more user-friendly platform with fixed spreads and a focus on simplicity, but at a higher cost. This comparison examines how each broker serves China traders, especially given local constraints like CSRC regulations and capital controls. We’ll analyze spreads, deposit options including USDT and international bank transfers, and regulatory considerations to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading strategy.
| Instrument | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 | Libertex |
For China traders, trading costs are a major factor, especially when trading high-volume pairs like EUR/USD or indices. Exness offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account with a $3.5 commission per lot, while its Standard account has spreads from 0.3 pips with no commission. Libertex, in contrast, uses fixed spreads starting from 0.5 pips on major forex pairs and no commission, but this can be more expensive for frequent traders. For example, a China trader executing 10 lots per week on EUR/USD would pay approximately $35 in commissions with Exness (Zero account) versus $50 in spread costs with Libertex, making Exness 30% cheaper. Additionally, Exness does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees for USDT, further reducing costs for China traders.
| Account Type | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are preferred by China traders for their advanced charting, algorithmic trading capabilities, and extensive community support. Libertex offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which are simpler and more intuitive but lack the depth of MT4/MT5. For China traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or trade complex strategies, Exness is the clear choice. Libertex’s platform is better suited for beginners or traders who prioritize ease of use over advanced features. Both platforms support Chinese language interfaces, but Exness has a larger ecosystem of third-party tools and indicators.
| Factor | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Exness uses an STP/ECN model with execution speeds under 40 milliseconds, ensuring minimal slippage even during high volatility. Libertex operates a market maker model with execution speeds around 100 milliseconds, which can lead to higher slippage during news events. For China traders trading major pairs like USD/CNY proxies, Exness’s faster execution reduces the risk of requotes and price manipulation. Libertex is adequate for lower-frequency trading but may not suit scalpers or algorithmic traders.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither Exness nor Libertex is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), as they operate as offshore brokers. Exness is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles), providing strong client fund protection and negative balance protection. Libertex is regulated by the CySEC and FSC (Belize), offering a lower tier of oversight. For China traders, this means trading is done at their own risk, and funds are not protected by Chinese deposit insurance. Exness’s FCA regulation offers a higher level of security, which is reassuring for offshore traders. Both brokers require clients to self-certify as professional or retail traders, and China traders should ensure compliance with local foreign exchange regulations.
| Payment Method | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | 5 business days |
China traders can fund accounts at both Exness and Libertex using USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers. Exness supports USDT deposits on the TRC-20 and ERC-20 networks with no fees and instant processing, making it the fastest and most cost-effective method. Withdrawals are also processed within 24 hours via USDT. Libertex accepts USDT deposits but may charge a small fee (up to 1%) and take 1-2 business days for processing. International bank transfers are available at both brokers but require CNY conversion and can take 2-5 business days. Exness also supports local payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay through third-party processors, but these are less common for offshore accounts. For China traders, USDT is the preferred method due to speed and lower costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness and Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. Exness provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Standard, Zero, and Raw Spread, with no swap fees on overnight positions for eligible clients. There is no additional cost or time limit for holding positions. Libertex offers swap-free accounts but only on request and for specific account types, with a possible administrative fee after a certain period. For China Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading, Exness offers more flexibility and transparency. Both brokers require clients to confirm their Muslim faith and not use the account for speculative purposes.
| Support Feature | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness offers 24/7 customer support in Chinese (Mandarin) via live chat, email, and phone, with response times under 30 seconds on live chat. Libertex provides support in Chinese but only during business hours (09:00-18:00 GMT+8) via email and phone, with slower response times. Both have extensive FAQ sections in Chinese, but Exness’s round-the-clock support is a significant advantage for China traders who trade during Asian or European sessions.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For China traders seeking international exposure, Exness is the superior choice, earning a 4.8/5 score versus Libertex’s 3.7/5. Exness offers lower trading costs, faster execution, and better deposit options like USDT with no fees, which aligns with the needs of offshore traders managing CNY conversions. While Libertex’s fixed spreads and simple platform appeal to beginners, its higher costs and slower execution make it less competitive. Both brokers operate outside CSRC regulation, so China traders must manage compliance with local capital controls independently. For volume-driven traders, scalpers, or those using EAs, Exness is the clear winner. Libertex may suit casual traders who prioritize ease of use over cost efficiency. Ultimately, Exness provides better value for most China traders in 2026.