Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
China traders seeking offshore forex exposure often compare Global Prime and Plus500 for their international reach and support for CNY-related payment methods. Both brokers are popular among Chinese traders who want to trade major forex pairs, indices, and commodities without CSRC oversight. Global Prime, rated 3.6/5, is known for its raw spreads and institutional-grade execution, appealing to active traders. Plus500, rated 3.7/5, offers a user-friendly platform with fixed spreads and no commission, ideal for beginners. For China traders, key factors include deposit options like USDT and Bank Transfer (international), regulatory safety under ASIC/FCA, and the ability to trade with leverage. This comparison helps you decide which broker suits your offshore trading needs in 2025.
| Instrument | Global Prime | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 | Global Prime |
For China traders, trading costs vary significantly between Global Prime and Plus500. Global Prime offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $7 round-turn commission per lot, making it cheaper for high-volume traders. Plus500 uses fixed spreads averaging 0.6-1.2 pips on major pairs with no commission, which is simpler but more expensive for frequent trading. A China trader executing 50 lots per month would pay about $350 with Global Prime vs $600+ with Plus500. However, Plus500’s predictable costs suit those who trade less frequently or prefer all-in pricing.
| Account Type | Global Prime | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Global Prime | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Global Prime | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Global Prime |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | Global Prime |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Global Prime |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Global Prime | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Global Prime provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, along with cTrader, giving China traders powerful charting tools, custom indicators, and automated trading via Expert Advisors. This suits experienced traders who need advanced analysis. Plus500 offers its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is intuitive and fast, with built-in risk management features like guaranteed stop-loss. For China traders using VPNs, both platforms work reliably, but Global Prime’s MT4/5 ecosystem is more familiar to those who trade with other brokers.
| Factor | Global Prime | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Global Prime |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Global Prime uses STP/ECN execution with no dealing desk, offering fast order fills and low slippage, ideal for scalpers in China. Plus500 uses market maker execution with fixed spreads, which can lead to requotes during volatile news events. For China traders trading during Asian session overlaps, Global Prime’s execution is more reliable for high-frequency strategies, while Plus500 suits longer-term positions.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and VFSC (Vanuatu), while Plus500 holds licenses from FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC. Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders do not have local investor protection. However, ASIC and FCA regulations offer a degree of safety through segregation of client funds and negative balance protection. China traders should be aware that offshore brokers are not covered by China’s financial dispute resolution mechanisms, so due diligence is essential.
| Payment Method | Global Prime | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. | 1 to 3 business day |
China traders can fund accounts at both Global Prime and Plus500 using USDT and Bank Transfer (international). USDT deposits via TRC20 or ERC20 are popular due to speed (usually within minutes) and low fees (under $2). Global Prime accepts USDT directly, while Plus500 uses third-party processors. Bank Transfers from Chinese banks to international accounts are possible but may take 1-3 days and incur intermediary fees of $10-30. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for USDT and 1-3 days for bank wires. Minimum deposit is $200 for Global Prime and $100 for Plus500. No deposit fees are charged by either broker, but bank fees may apply.
| Islamic Account Feature | Global Prime | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Global Prime and Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China who require Sharia-compliant trading without interest charges. Global Prime provides swap-free status upon request after account verification, applicable to forex and major indices. Plus500 automatically applies swap-free conditions for eligible clients, but positions held beyond a certain period (e.g., 10 days) may incur a fee. China traders should confirm the specific terms with each broker to ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles.
| Support Feature | Global Prime | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Global Prime |
Global Prime offers 24/5 live chat and email support in English, with response times under 2 hours. Plus500 provides 24/7 multilingual support via live chat and phone, including Mandarin Chinese. For China traders, Plus500’s Mandarin support is a clear advantage, while Global Prime relies on English-only communication. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | Global Prime | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Global Prime |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Global Prime |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Global Prime | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Global Prime |
Choose Global Prime if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For China traders in 2025, the choice between Global Prime and Plus500 depends on your trading style and experience. Plus500 wins on ease of use, Mandarin support, and lower entry barrier, making it suitable for beginners. Global Prime excels in cost efficiency for active traders, with tighter spreads and direct USDT deposits. Both brokers are offshore and not CSRC-regulated, so China traders must accept the risks. If you trade frequently and need advanced tools, Global Prime is better. If you prefer simplicity and fixed costs, Plus500 is the safer bet. Always test with a demo account first.