Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking offshore forex exposure, choosing the right broker is critical. FP Markets and FxOpen are two well-established international brokers that accept clients from China, support USDT and international Bank Transfer deposits, and offer access to global markets. However, they differ significantly in trading costs, platform features, and overall reliability. FP Markets holds a strong 4.7/5 rating, reflecting its tight spreads, fast execution, and comprehensive educational resources. FxOpen, rated 3.7/5, is a solid alternative with a longer history but higher costs and fewer advanced tools. This comparison helps China traders decide based on local needs—such as deposit methods, regulatory concerns (CSRC not involved), and trading volume. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding these differences is key to maximizing returns while staying compliant with Chinese capital controls.
| Instrument | FP Markets | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxOpen |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxOpen |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxOpen |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxOpen |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
For China traders, spread costs directly impact net profits. FP Markets offers a Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot per side, making it highly competitive for scalpers and day traders. FxOpen's standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, but the all-in cost is higher. On a 10-lot trade, FP Markets saves approximately $20 compared to FxOpen. For high-frequency China traders, this difference adds up quickly. Both brokers also offer ECN accounts, but FP Markets' pricing is consistently tighter across major pairs like EUR/USD and USD/JPY.
| Account Type | FP Markets | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FP Markets | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FP Markets | FxOpen | 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+ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | FxOpen |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and IRESS, giving China traders flexibility for automated trading or advanced charting. FxOpen offers MT4 and MT5 only. For China traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or custom indicators, both brokers support them well. However, FP Markets' IRESS platform is a unique advantage for those trading CFDs on shares or indices, offering Level 2 data and direct market access. FxOpen's platform suite is simpler but reliable for standard forex trading.
| Factor | FP Markets | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxOpen |
| 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 provides ultra-fast execution with low latency, ideal for scalping and EA trading. Average execution speed is under 40ms on its Raw account. FxOpen's execution is reliable but slightly slower, averaging 60-80ms. For China traders who trade high volumes or use automated strategies, FP Markets' superior execution reduces slippage and improves fill rates.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FP Markets nor FxOpen is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). Instead, FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while FxOpen is regulated by FCA (UK) and CySEC. For China traders, this means funds are not protected under local laws, but both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated accounts. FP Markets' ASIC regulation provides a higher tier of oversight, which is reassuring for offshore traders. Always verify the broker's license and consider using a separate offshore bank account or USDT wallet for added security.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Transfer at both brokers. USDT is the fastest option—funds appear within minutes and fees are minimal (network fee only). Bank Transfer takes 2-5 business days and may incur intermediary bank charges. FP Markets also supports Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. FxOpen adds PayPal and Perfect Money. Withdrawals follow the same methods. USDT is particularly popular among China traders for avoiding capital control delays. Minimum deposits are $100 at FP Markets and $50 at FxOpen. Both brokers process withdrawals within 24 hours for USDT.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FxOpen offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China who cannot earn or pay interest. FP Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types without any extra fees or time limits. FxOpen offers Islamic accounts upon request, but after 30 days, a small administration fee may apply. For long-term position traders, FP Markets is the better option. Ensure you request the account before trading to avoid swap charges.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | FxOpen | 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 dedicated support for Chinese-speaking clients. FxOpen also has 24/5 support but limited Chinese-language resources. FP Markets' response time is faster (under 1 minute on live chat), which is crucial for China traders who need quick assistance during Asian trading hours.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | FxOpen | 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 | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | FP Markets | FxOpen | 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 FxOpen if you...
For China traders looking for the best overall offshore broker, FP Markets is the clear winner with a 4.7 rating, lower trading costs, faster execution, and better support for Chinese clients. FxOpen remains a viable alternative for beginners or those with smaller deposits, but its higher spreads and slower execution make it less competitive for active traders. Both brokers accept USDT and international Bank Transfer, so China traders can deposit easily. However, given the lack of CSRC regulation, always trade with caution and use segregated accounts. FP Markets' ASIC regulation and comprehensive offering make it the preferred choice for serious China traders seeking international exposure in 2025.