Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
China traders looking for offshore forex and CFD brokers have two strong contenders: FP Markets and Capital.com. FP Markets, with a stellar 4.7/5 rating, is known for its deep liquidity, low spreads, and support for USDT deposits—a popular choice for Chinese traders avoiding bank transfer delays. Capital.com, rated 3.8/5, offers a sleek platform with advanced charting and educational resources, but its spreads and payment flexibility lag behind. Both brokers are not regulated by the CSRC, so traders must navigate capital controls carefully. This comparison focuses on what matters to China traders: cost, deposit ease, and regulatory safety. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding these differences helps you choose the right partner for international exposure.
| Instrument | FP Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Capital.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Capital.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Capital.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Capital.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $20 | FP Markets |
For China traders, trading costs are critical. FP Markets offers Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $3 per lot commission, making it ideal for high-volume scalpers. Capital.com has spreads from 0.6 pips on standard accounts with no commission—better for casual traders. On a typical 10-lot monthly volume, FP Markets saves around $30 in spread costs. However, Capital.com’s all-in pricing is simpler. China traders using USDT deposits benefit from FP Markets’ lower spreads, which offset the lack of local CNY funding.
| Account Type | FP Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $20 |
| Entity / Asset | FP Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:200 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:200 |
| 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 | FP Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FP Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FP Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FP Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Capital.com |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader—all popular with China traders for their advanced charting and automated trading. Capital.com offers its proprietary platform and TradingView integration, which is intuitive but less customizable. For China users, MT4/5 remain the gold standard due to EA support and community resources. Capital.com’s platform is mobile-friendly but lacks the depth of cTrader’s order book. Both have web and mobile versions, but FP Markets wins for flexibility.
| Factor | FP Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Capital.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FP Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FP Markets boasts ultra-fast execution with no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and ECN pricing. Capital.com uses a hybrid model with dealing desk intervention, which can cause slippage during volatile news events. For China traders trading high-impact pairs like USD/CNH, FP Markets’ execution is more reliable.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FP Markets nor Capital.com is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders assume offshore risk. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), offering strong investor protection. Capital.com is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC, and ASIC. For China traders, this means deposits are not covered by local schemes, but using USDT provides an extra layer of privacy. Both brokers segregate client funds, but FP Markets’ longer regulatory history (since 2005) offers more confidence.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | 24 hours |
China traders can deposit using USDT (Tether) or international bank transfers with both brokers. FP Markets supports USDT deposits via TRC20 and ERC20 networks, with zero fees and instant processing. Capital.com also accepts USDT but requires a minimum of $50. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary bank charges. Withdrawals are similarly smooth: FP Markets processes USDT withdrawals within 24 hours, while Capital.com takes 1-2 days. No Chinese yuan (CNY) accounts are available, so traders must convert via USDT or bank transfers. FP Markets offers more flexibility with additional e-wallet options like Skrill.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | Capital.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 |
Both FP Markets and Capital.com offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. FP Markets provides swap-free accounts on request, applicable to all account types, with no expiry. Capital.com offers automatic swap-free accounts for clients from majority-Muslim countries, including China. Neither charges extra fees, but FP Markets requires a manual request via support. For China Muslim traders, both are viable, but FP Markets’ flexibility with cTrader may be preferred.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FP Markets |
FP Markets offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with Mandarin-speaking agents available during Asian hours. Capital.com provides 24/5 support in English, with limited Mandarin via email. For China traders, FP Markets’ live chat and phone support in Mandarin is a clear advantage, ensuring faster issue resolution.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FP Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FP Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FP Markets | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FP Markets |
Choose FP Markets if you...
Choose Capital.com if you...
For most China traders, FP Markets is the superior choice due to its lower costs, better execution, and strong support for USDT deposits—a key factor given capital controls. Its 4.7/5 rating reflects reliability and trader satisfaction. Capital.com is a solid alternative for beginners or those who prioritize platform simplicity, but its higher spreads and limited payment options make it less competitive for active traders. Both are unregulated by the CSRC, so due diligence is essential. Ultimately, FP Markets offers better value for offshore Chinese traders seeking international exposure.