Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders navigating offshore forex brokers, the choice between FBS and Forex.com depends on access, cost, and trust. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, has gained popularity among Chinese traders for its low spreads, flexible deposit options including USDT (TRC20/ERC20), and support for CNY conversions. Forex.com, scoring 3.4/5, is a globally established broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions, offering a more traditional banking approach. Both operate outside the CSRC's direct oversight, so Chinese traders must consider capital controls and local regulations. FBS appeals to those seeking low-cost entry and crypto-friendly deposits, while Forex.com suits traders who prioritize institutional-grade execution and brand stability. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your offshore trading needs in 2025.
| Instrument | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Forex.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Forex.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Forex.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Forex.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | Forex.com |
For China traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. FBS offers spreads as low as 0.5 pips on EUR/USD for its Cent and Standard accounts, with no commission on most account types. This is particularly beneficial for high-volume traders using USDT deposits, as lower spreads reduce overall costs. Forex.com's standard spreads average 1.0-1.2 pips, but its Raw Pricing account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $5 commission per lot. For China traders trading 10+ lots per month, FBS's no-commission model can save up to $50 per month compared to Forex.com's commission-based account. However, Forex.com's spreads are more stable during volatile Asian sessions.
| Account Type | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:50 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:50 |
| 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 | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are popular among China traders for their custom indicators and EA support. FBS also provides its own FBS Trader app for mobile trading, while Forex.com offers a proprietary web platform with advanced charting tools. For China traders, MT4/5 compatibility is crucial for using local signal providers and VPS services. FBS's platforms are optimized for low latency, which is important for scalpers using USDT deposits. Forex.com's proprietary platform includes features like Trading Central analysis, appealing to traders who want integrated research.
| Factor | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Forex.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FBS uses NDD (No Dealing Desk) execution with average order speeds of 0.1 seconds, suitable for scalpers and EA traders. Forex.com offers DMA (Direct Market Access) execution with speeds under 50 milliseconds, ideal for high-frequency trading. For China traders, FBS's execution is reliable for standard strategies, while Forex.com's institutional-grade execution may appeal to those trading large volumes. However, FBS's slippage during news events can be higher, whereas Forex.com's liquidity providers offer more stable fills.
| Safety Factor | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FBS nor Forex.com is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders operate offshore without local investor protection. FBS is regulated by the IFSC (Belize) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Forex.com is regulated by the FCA (UK), CFTC (US), and ASIC (Australia). Forex.com's multi-jurisdictional oversight provides stronger regulatory safeguards, including negative balance protection and compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS up to £85,000). FBS offers less protection but compensates with faster account opening and fewer restrictions. For China traders, Forex.com's regulatory strength may justify higher costs, while FBS's lower barrier to entry suits those prioritizing access.
| Payment Method | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 1 to 3 business days |
Deposit and withdrawal methods are critical for China traders. FBS supports USDT deposits via TRC20 and ERC20 networks, allowing instant funding with no bank involvement—ideal for bypassing capital controls. International bank transfers are also available but may take 2-5 days. Forex.com does not accept USDT; it relies on international bank transfers and credit/debit cards, which can be slower and subject to Chinese bank scrutiny. For withdrawals, FBS processes USDT withdrawals within 24 hours, while Forex.com's bank transfers take 3-5 business days. Both brokers have minimum deposits of $10-100, but FBS's USDT option is a clear advantage for China traders seeking speed and discretion.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 China, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types automatically after verification, with no swap fees on overnight positions. Forex.com offers Islamic accounts on request, but eligibility may require proof of Muslim faith or residency in a Muslim-majority region. FBS's policy is more inclusive and easier to access, making it the preferred choice for Chinese Muslim traders. However, both brokers may apply administrative fees after a certain holding period (e.g., 10 days for FBS), so traders should check current terms.
| Support Feature | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Chinese-speaking clients. Forex.com provides 24/5 support in English and Chinese, with live chat and phone support during Asian trading hours. For China traders, FBS's round-the-clock support is beneficial given the time zone difference. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections, but FBS's Chinese-language support is more responsive and tailored to local needs.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | Forex.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose Forex.com if you...
For China traders in 2025, FBS is the better choice for those seeking low-cost trading, USDT deposits, and easy access to Islamic accounts. Its higher score of 3.7/5 reflects its appeal to offshore traders who prioritize speed and flexibility over regulatory protection. Forex.com, with a 3.4/5 score, remains a strong option for traders who value institutional-grade regulation and execution, despite higher costs and limited deposit methods. Given that both brokers are unregulated by the CSRC, China traders should use USDT deposits for FBS to avoid bank scrutiny, while Forex.com users must rely on traditional transfers. Ultimately, FBS offers a more tailored experience for Chinese traders, but Forex.com provides a safer regulatory net for larger accounts.