Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders venturing into international forex and CFD markets, choosing the right offshore broker is critical. FP Markets (rated 4.7/5) and Tickmill (rated 4/5) are two well-regarded options that accept Chinese clients via USDT and international bank transfers. Both brokers operate without direct CSRC regulation, meaning traders must rely on offshore licenses from authorities like ASIC, FCA, or FSA. This comparison focuses on how each broker serves China-based traders, covering spreads, platforms, deposit flexibility, and regulatory considerations. Whether you are a scalper in Shanghai or a swing trader in Shenzhen, understanding these differences will help you align your trading style with the right broker. We also examine local payment methods and the impact of China’s capital controls on your trading experience.
| Instrument | FP Markets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for China traders, Tickmill’s Pro account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $2 per side per lot, making it highly cost-effective for high-frequency traders. FP Markets’ Raw account starts from 0.0 pips but charges a slightly higher commission of $3 per side per lot. For China traders trading 5-10 standard lots per week, Tickmill can save approximately $20-40 monthly. However, FP Markets offers more competitive spreads on indices and commodities, which may benefit diversified portfolios. Both brokers have no deposit or withdrawal fees for USDT, but bank transfers may incur intermediary charges that vary by Chinese bank.
| Account Type | FP Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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+ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FP Markets and Tickmill provide MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the platforms of choice for China traders due to their familiarity and advanced charting tools. FP Markets also offers its proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps, while Tickmill focuses exclusively on MT4/MT5. For China traders who rely on algorithmic trading or Expert Advisors (EAs), both brokers support VPS hosting and EA compatibility. FP Markets has a slight edge with more integrated educational tools and market analysis, which can benefit newer traders in China. Tickmill’s platform experience is leaner but equally reliable for execution-focused traders.
| Factor | FP Markets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 |
Both FP Markets and Tickmill offer ultra-fast execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring China traders get the best available prices. FP Markets reports an average execution speed of 40ms, while Tickmill claims 30ms on its Pro account. For scalpers in China, Tickmill’s slightly faster execution can be beneficial for high-frequency strategies. Both brokers use top-tier liquidity providers, minimizing slippage. FP Markets offers more liquidity depth for exotic pairs, which may appeal to traders in China exploring less common currency crosses.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Tickmill is regulated by the FSA (Seychelles) and FCA (UK). Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders must accept that their accounts are offshore and not protected by Chinese investor compensation schemes. FP Markets’ ASIC regulation provides a higher tier of oversight, which may appeal to risk-averse traders. Tickmill’s FCA regulation offers strong protection but applies only to UK clients; international clients fall under FSA. For China traders, the key is to verify the specific entity handling their account and understand the level of regulatory protection available.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
China traders can fund both FP Markets and Tickmill using USDT (Tether) and international bank transfer (SWIFT). USDT deposits are instant and fee-free, making them the preferred method for avoiding China’s capital controls. Bank transfers are slower (2-5 days) and may incur fees from both the sending Chinese bank and intermediary banks. FP Markets supports USDT deposits on ERC-20 and TRC-20 networks, while Tickmill accepts USDT on ERC-20 and BEP-20. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for USDT and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers require identity verification (KYC) before processing withdrawals, which is standard for offshore brokers serving China traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. FP Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw, and Pro) without additional fees, while Tickmill offers them on Standard and Pro accounts only. China traders must request the Islamic account during registration and may need to provide a declaration of faith. It is important to note that swap-free accounts may have holding period limits (e.g., 30-60 days) to prevent abuse. Both brokers treat Islamic accounts with the same execution quality as standard accounts.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | Tickmill | 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated account managers for VIP clients. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, but phone support is limited. For China traders, both brokers support English communication, but FP Markets has a slight advantage with more responsive live chat and faster query resolution. Tickmill’s support team is knowledgeable but may have longer wait times during peak trading hours in Asia.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 Tickmill if you...
For China traders seeking international exposure, both FP Markets and Tickmill are solid choices, but the decision hinges on your trading style. FP Markets (4.7/5) is the better all-rounder with stronger regulation (ASIC), more instruments, and superior educational support—ideal for traders who value safety and variety. Tickmill (4/5) wins on cost and execution speed, making it the go-to for scalpers and EA traders. Both accept USDT and international bank transfers, easing deposit challenges for China clients. While neither is CSRC-regulated, FP Markets’ higher tier of oversight may offer peace of mind. Ultimately, choose FP Markets for versatility and Tickmill for raw efficiency.