Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders looking to trade forex internationally, choosing between Forex.com and FP Markets requires careful evaluation of costs, payment methods, and regulatory realities. Both brokers accept Chinese clients and offer access to global markets through offshore entities, but they differ in scores – Forex.com at 3.4/5 and FP Markets at 4.7/5 in our rankings. China traders typically face unique challenges: capital controls, limited local payment gateways, and the need for USDT or international bank transfers. This comparison focuses on how each broker serves the offshore Chinese trader, from spreads on CNY-related pairs to support for MetaTrader platforms. While neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, FP Markets’ lower spreads and ECN execution appeal to active traders, whereas Forex.com’s strong brand and research tools suit those who prioritize analysis over cost. We break down every key factor for 2025.
| Instrument | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
Cost is critical for China traders, especially when converting CNY to USD or EUR for trading. FP Markets offers a clear advantage with its Raw ECN account featuring spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs (e.g., EUR/USD) and a commission of $3 per lot round turn. In comparison, Forex.com’s standard account spreads start around 1.0 pips on EUR/USD and can widen during volatile sessions, while its commission-based account (Direct) still has higher all-in costs than FP Markets. For a China trader executing 50 lots per month, FP Markets could save $500-$1,000 in spread costs alone. Additionally, FP Markets provides competitive swap rates, which matters for traders holding positions overnight – a common style for Chinese investors. Forex.com’s larger spread markup makes it less ideal for scalping or algorithmic strategies popular among China’s trading community.
| Account Type | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:500 |
| 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 | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the dominant platforms in China due to their customizability and EA support. FP Markets also provides cTrader for ECN accounts, appealing to traders who prefer depth of market and advanced order types. Forex.com offers its proprietary Web Trader platform alongside MT4/MT5, which includes advanced charting tools and TradingView integration – a plus for traders who want a browser-based solution. For China users who rely on automated strategies, FP Markets’ raw execution on MT4/MT5 provides lower latency, while Forex.com’s platforms are more geared toward manual analysis. Both support mobile trading, but FP Markets’ cTrader mobile app is often preferred for its intuitive interface. Internet stability in China can be an issue – both brokers offer VPS services to mitigate latency, with FP Markets providing free VPS for high-volume accounts.
| Factor | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality matters for China traders who often use scalping or automated EAs. FP Markets offers true ECN execution with no requotes and average execution speed under 30ms on its Raw account. Forex.com uses a hybrid model – market execution on most accounts with occasional requotes during news events. FP Markets’ liquidity providers include multiple banks, ensuring depth even on volatile pairs like USD/CNH. Forex.com’s execution is reliable but slightly slower, and slippage can be higher. For traders who prioritize precision and speed, FP Markets is the stronger choice.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither Forex.com nor FP Markets is regulated by the CSRC (China Securities Regulatory Commission), meaning China traders must trade under overseas regulatory frameworks. Forex.com is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities: FCA (UK), CFTC/NFA (US), and ASIC (Australia). FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), with ASIC oversight providing strong client fund segregation. For China traders, the lack of CSRC regulation means no local dispute resolution, and deposits via USDT or international bank transfer are not covered by Chinese investor protection schemes. However, ASIC and FCA regulations offer a degree of safety. FP Markets also participates in the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for retail clients. China traders should always verify which entity they sign up with – for example, FP Markets’ Vanuatu entity offers looser leverage but less protection. Forex.com’s UK entity is often preferred for negative balance protection.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 24 hours |
China traders can fund both Forex.com and FP Markets using USDT (Tether) on the Ethereum or TRC-20 network – the most popular method due to its speed and ability to bypass capital controls. USDT deposits are typically processed instantly with no fees. International bank transfers (SWIFT) are accepted by both brokers, but can take 3-5 business days and incur intermediary bank charges of $20-$50. Forex.com requires a minimum $50 deposit via USDT, while FP Markets requires $200 for its Raw account, but $100 for Standard. Withdrawals are usually free for USDT and bank transfers, though FP Markets charges no withdrawal fees, while Forex.com may charge for bank wire withdrawals if done more than once a month. For Chinese traders, USDT is the most efficient option – both brokers support this method reliably. Always check that the broker’s cryptocurrency wallet addresses are current to avoid lost funds.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in China who require swap-free (Islamic) accounts will find both brokers accommodating. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw, Cent) with no swap charges on positions held overnight. The account is available upon request after verification, and there is no time limit on how long you can hold positions. Forex.com also provides Islamic accounts, but availability depends on the regulatory entity – clients under the UK entity (FCA) can request swap-free accounts, but those under the US entity (NFA) cannot. For China traders, it is best to contact both brokers directly before opening an account to confirm that the Islamic account remains swap-free for all forex pairs. FP Markets is generally more straightforward with its policy, making it a better choice for Chinese Muslim traders who trade longer-term strategies.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support for China traders is available 24/5 from both brokers. FP Markets offers Chinese-language support via live chat, email, and phone during Asian trading hours, which is convenient for traders in Beijing time. Forex.com also provides 24/5 support but its Chinese-language options are more limited – primarily email and a slower live chat response. FP Markets’ support team is known for faster resolution times, especially on technical issues like platform setup or VPS. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections, but for time-sensitive issues, FP Markets’ multilingual staff gives it an edge for China-based users.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | Forex.com | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For China traders in 2025, FP Markets emerges as the clear winner with a 4.7/5 rating compared to Forex.com’s 3.4/5. The deciding factors are costs, execution, and local payment flexibility. FP Markets’ Raw ECN account offers spreads from 0.0 pips, ideal for high-volume Chinese traders who need to maximize profitability after CNY conversion. Its support for USDT deposits and Chinese-language service further aligns with the needs of offshore traders. Forex.com remains a viable option for those who value brand trust and comprehensive research tools, but its higher spreads and less competitive costs make it harder to recommend for most Chinese traders. Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, so always trade responsibly and use segregated accounts. For cost-conscious scalpers and EA users, FP Markets is the better fit.