Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international forex exposure, choosing between FxOpen and Tickmill is a critical decision. Both brokers are well-established offshore providers that accept Chinese clients and support USDT deposits—a popular method for bypassing China’s strict capital controls. FxOpen, founded in 2005, offers a wide range of account types and leverages up to 1:500, appealing to traders with diverse strategies. Tickmill, launched in 2014, has built a strong reputation for low-cost trading and regulatory oversight from the FCA and CySEC. While neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, they are widely used by Chinese traders operating internationally. This comparison focuses on spreads, platforms, deposit methods (USDT and international bank transfer), and other local factors to help you decide which broker fits your trading style.
| Instrument | FxOpen | 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, Tickmill has a clear edge for China traders. Its Pro account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD with a commission of $3 per lot per side, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. FxOpen’s ECN account starts at 0.1 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot, slightly higher overall. For standard account users, Tickmill’s Classic account has spreads from 1.6 pips with no commission, while FxOpen’s Standard account starts at 1.5 pips. Over 100 lots per month, Tickmill can save Chinese traders $50–100 in total costs.
| Account Type | FxOpen | 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 | FxOpen | 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 | FxOpen | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FxOpen |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FxOpen |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FxOpen |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FxOpen | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the most popular platforms among China traders. FxOpen also provides its own web trader and mobile app, while Tickmill offers a cTrader platform for advanced charting and order execution. For Chinese traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or custom indicators, MT4/MT5 are fully supported by both brokers. Tickmill’s cTrader is a bonus for traders who prefer a more modern interface with depth of market (DOM) and faster execution. FxOpen’s platform range is slightly broader, but Tickmill’s focus on performance appeals to active traders.
| Factor | FxOpen | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FxOpen |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is a key differentiator. Tickmill uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with STP execution, offering average execution speeds of 0.2 seconds and no requotes. FxOpen also uses NDD and STP execution but has slightly higher latency, averaging 0.3–0.4 seconds. For China traders using VPS or automated strategies, Tickmill’s faster execution can reduce slippage and improve trade outcomes. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, but Tickmill’s execution is consistently rated higher by users.
| Safety Factor | FxOpen | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FxOpen is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA). For China traders, neither broker holds a CSRC license, which is common for offshore forex brokers. Tickmill’s FCA regulation provides stronger client fund protection (up to £85,000) compared to FxOpen’s ASIC regulation, which offers similar safeguards. However, Chinese traders should note that offshore regulation does not offer the same level of protection as local oversight. Both brokers segregate client funds and participate in compensation schemes, adding a layer of security.
| Payment Method | FxOpen | 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. |
For China traders, deposit and withdrawal methods are crucial. Both FxOpen and Tickmill accept USDT (Tether) deposits, which allow instant funding without relying on traditional banking. USDT is especially popular in China for its speed and low cost. International bank transfers are also supported, but they can take 1–3 business days and may involve intermediary fees of $10–$30 per transaction. FxOpen supports additional methods like Skrill and Neteller, while Tickmill offers similar e-wallet options. Minimum deposits are low: $100 for FxOpen and $100 for Tickmill. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for USDT and 1–3 days for bank transfers. Neither broker directly supports Alipay or WeChat Pay, so USDT is the most practical method for Chinese traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | FxOpen | 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 |
Both FxOpen and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. These accounts comply with Sharia law by waiving overnight swap fees on positions held beyond one day. FxOpen provides Islamic accounts on all account types, while Tickmill offers them on its Classic and Pro accounts. Chinese Muslim traders must request these accounts via customer support, and eligibility may require proof of faith or a minimum deposit. Tickmill’s Islamic account has no extra charges, but FxOpen may apply a small administration fee after a holding period. Both brokers are accommodating, but Tickmill’s policy is slightly more transparent.
| Support Feature | FxOpen | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FxOpen |
Customer support for China traders is available 24/5 from both brokers. FxOpen offers live chat, email, and phone support in English and Chinese, though Chinese-language support may have limited hours. Tickmill also provides 24/5 live chat and email support with Chinese-speaking agents during Asian trading hours. Tickmill’s response times are generally faster, averaging under 30 seconds for live chat. FxOpen’s support is reliable but can be slower during peak times. Neither broker offers 24/7 support, which is a limitation for traders in different time zones.
| Mobile Feature | FxOpen | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FxOpen |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FxOpen |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FxOpen |
| Resource | FxOpen | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FxOpen |
Choose FxOpen if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For China traders, Tickmill is the stronger choice overall due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and higher regulatory standing. Its support for USDT deposits and international bank transfers makes it easy to fund from China, and its Islamic account option caters to Muslim traders. FxOpen remains a solid alternative for those who need more account variety or higher leverage, but its slightly higher costs and slower execution may deter active traders. Given the absence of CSRC regulation, both brokers are suitable for offshore trading, but Tickmill’s combination of cost efficiency and reliability gives it the edge in 2025. Chinese traders should always consider their own trading style and capital control requirements before choosing.