Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For traders in mainland China, accessing global forex markets usually means opening an account with an offshore broker. The CSRC does not license retail forex trading, and local bank transfers are subject to yearly foreign-exchange quotas, so platforms like Exness and RoboForex have become practical alternatives. Both brokers accept Chinese clients, support USDT deposits alongside international bank wire, and provide MetaTrader 4/5 packages.
Exness currently holds a 4.8/5 score in our research, driven by ultra-low spreads, deep liquidity, and consistent execution. RoboForex trails at 3.2/5, with more complex fee structures and a less transparent regulatory record. For a trader using CNY, every pip and every transfer fee matters, so these differences are not academic.
This page breaks down real costs, Chinese-language support, swap-free terms, and withdrawal speeds for both brokers — using 2026 data and local trading conditions. Whether you are scalping gold or holding EUR/USD overnight, the following sections will show which platform deserves your capital.
| Instrument | Exness | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | RoboForex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | RoboForex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | RoboForex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | RoboForex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 | RoboForex |
Exness offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs plus a round-turn commission of $3.50 per lot on raw models. In practice, EUR/USD spreads average 0.1–0.3 pips during Asian hours, which suits China traders who open positions before European markets wake up. RoboForex's ECN account also has spreads from 0.0 pips but commissions are often $6 per lot round turn, and the Standard account charges up to 1.3 pips on EUR/USD with no commission.
For a China trader running 20 lots per month on XAU/USD, the spread and commission gap between Exness and RoboForex can easily reach CNY 1,500–3,000 monthly. Exness also does not apply hidden slippage on market orders, while RoboForex's NDD models can widen spreads during news releases. When you trade larger volumes or hold positions over the Shanghai lunch break, Exness delivers lower total cost.
| Account Type | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | RoboForex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | RoboForex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are the most popular trading terminals among China's offshore forex community. Exness adds its own Exness Terminal with fast charting and one-click trading on mobile, while RoboForex offers cTrader and R StocksTrader for those who want advanced order execution or share CFDs.
In China, where connectivity to overseas servers can be unstable, Exness's flexible infrastructure and dedicated mobile apps are often faster to load and maintain stable connections. RoboForex has improved its desktop platform but still receives complaints about slow order tickets on cTrader during peak market hours. For Chinese traders using VPS or running expert advisors on MT5, Exness provides better uptime and lower latency from Hong Kong or Singapore matching engines.
| Factor | Exness | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | RoboForex |
| 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 a No Dealing Desk model with deep liquidity from tier-1 banks. Reported average execution speed is around 0.1 seconds, with zero requotes and instant order confirmation on MT4 and MT5. RoboForex also claims NDD execution, but its ECN latency is higher, typically 0.2–0.5 seconds, and slippage is more common during high-volatility news events.
For China traders, especially scalpers on gold or GBP/USD, this difference means fewer rejected orders and better fills. Exness's dedicated matching engine in Asia reduces network hops from mainland China, while RoboForex's servers are geographically more distant, adding latency.
| Safety Factor | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Exness is regulated by multiple tier-1 bodies including the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, and FSA in Seychelles, with regular external audits of its financial reporting. RoboForex is operated by RoboForex Ltd, licensed by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Belize, with no top-tier oversight. For China traders, neither broker is sanctioned by the CSRC because Chinese law explicitly forbids domestic brokers from offering forex margin trading to residents.
This means you are trading through an offshore entity, and the broker's own regulator is your safety net. Exness's stronger supervisory framework gives Chinese traders better protection against broker insolvency and non-payment. RoboForex has faced negative reviews regarding withdrawal delays, which are more concerning given its weaker licensing. If regulatory security is your first priority as an offshore trader, Exness is clearly ahead.
| Payment Method | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 to 5 business days |
Chinese mainland traders cannot fund brokerage accounts with CNY directly due to capital controls. The most convenient route now is USDT (TRC20 or ERC20), and both Exness and RoboForex accept it. In 2026, USDT transfers settle almost instantly and avoid the traditional banking channels that may be blocked. International bank transfer is also available for traders who hold USD accounts in Hong Kong or have unused annual foreign-exchange quota.
Exness and RoboForex both allow deposits in USD, EUR, and other base currencies via international wire. USDT withdrawals return to your wallet within 2–12 hours at Exness; RoboForex typically processes USDT withdrawals within 24 hours. Bank transfer withdrawals can take 3–7 business days at both, and may incur intermediary bank fees of CNY 150–300. If you need fast liquidity, USDT is the clear winner — and Exness offers zero deposit fees on most digital token methods.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokerages offer Islamic, swap-free accounts. Exness automatically swaps free accounts for clients in Muslim-majority regions and also for those who request it under its terms of service. RoboForex provides the same facility on its Standard, ProCent, and ECN accounts, subject to eligibility and usually no extra cost.
For China's Muslim traders, mainly from the Hui community in Ningxia, Xinjiang, and Gansu, these accounts are essential if they follow Sharia law and want to hold positions overnight. Exness applies zero swap on all currency pairs, metals, and indices, with no management fee. RoboForex applies zero swap but charges a one-time activation fee on certain account types. Exness offers a more straightforward waiver with fewer hidden fees.
| Support Feature | Exness | RoboForex | 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 Chinese-language live chat, email, and a localized client portal. Chinese traders can reach real agents within seconds during Asian and European hours. RoboForex also provides Chinese support, but its live chat opens only on business days and responses average 15–45 minutes.
For traders in China, that delay matters when you need to confirm a USDT transfer or resolve a withdrawal block before the next trading session. Exness also maintains a Chinese FAQ that covers deposit methods, bank wire timelines, and account verification. RoboForex has Chinese content, but with fewer details.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | RoboForex | 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 | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose RoboForex if you...
For China-based offshore traders, Exness is the stronger broker across almost every category that matters: regulation, spreads, execution speed, Chinese support, and USDT payment processing. RoboForex is not a scam, but its weaker regulatory standing and higher effective costs make it a second-tier option. The CSRC remains strict about domestic forex margin, so trading through Exness or RoboForex carries inherent offshore risk. However, if you plan to deposit multiple USDT transactions, trade during Asian hours, and need fast international bank transfers, Exness offers a cleaner and more transparent experience. RoboForex only makes sense if you need cent accounts or cTrader and are willing to accept lower scores.