IC Markets vs Exness for China Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail Forex traders in China, choosing between IC Markets and Exness is a common dilemma. Both brokers are globally recognized with a 4.8/5 rating, but they cater to slightly different needs. IC Markets is known for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it a favorite among scalpers. Exness, on the other hand, offers flexible leverage up to unlimited and instant withdrawals, which appeals to traders who value liquidity and convenience. In China, where local financial regulator oversight is absent, traders rely on international licenses and reputation. Both brokers accept Chinese clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, whether you prioritize cost efficiency or flexibility.
| Instrument | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Exness |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Exness |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Exness |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Exness |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | Exness |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for China traders, IC Markets typically has the edge on spreads. Its Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $7 round-turn commission, while Exness standard accounts have spreads around 0.3 pips with no commission. For high-volume traders, IC Markets can be significantly cheaper. However, Exness offers zero spreads on certain accounts during specific hours. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but IC Markets is better for scalpers using automated strategies in China.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Exness |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and Exness offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are the most popular platforms among China traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader for advanced users, while Exness offers a proprietary web platform. For China traders, MT4/MT5 support for Expert Advisors (EAs) is critical, and both brokers excel here. IC Markets has faster execution speeds, which is vital for algorithmic trading in China’s high-frequency environment.
| Factor | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Exness |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is known for its low-latency execution, with servers located in the NY4 data center and average execution speeds under 40ms. Exness also offers fast execution with servers in London and New York, but its speeds are slightly higher. For China traders using VPS or automated strategies, IC Markets provides a more reliable edge with consistent fills.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #730729 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Exness is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). For China traders, neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, so they must rely on these international bodies. Both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated accounts, providing a safety net for Chinese clients.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
China traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and Exness using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Exness stands out for its instant withdrawal processing, often completing requests within seconds. IC Markets processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days. Minimum deposits are $10 for Exness standard account and $200 for IC Markets. USDT deposits are particularly popular in China due to lower fees and faster settlement. Both brokers support Chinese Yuan via third-party processors, but USD is the base currency for trading.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. IC Markets requires a request to convert an account to swap-free, while Exness automatically applies it for eligible clients. No additional fees are charged, but Exness may impose a holding period for certain instruments. For China’s Muslim minority, both brokers provide Sharia-compliant trading without interest charges.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✓ | Exness |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat and email support in multiple languages, including Mandarin. Exness also provides 24/7 support with a dedicated Chinese team via live chat, email, and phone. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections in Chinese. Exness has a slight edge with faster response times and phone support, which is preferred by many China traders.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or day trader who values ultra-low spreads
- Use Expert Advisors (EAs) and need fast execution
- Prefer MetaTrader platforms with cTrader option
- Trade high volumes and want competitive commission structures
Choose Exness if you...
- Want flexible leverage up to unlimited
- Need instant withdrawals via USDT or e-wallets
- Prefer a lower minimum deposit ($10)
- Value 24/7 phone support in Chinese
For China traders, the choice between IC Markets and Exness depends on your priorities. If you are a scalper or algorithmic trader focused on cost efficiency and execution speed, IC Markets is the better option with its tight spreads and low latency. If you value flexibility with leverage, instant withdrawals, and lower entry barriers, Exness is more suitable. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making them accessible to Chinese clients. Given that neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, traders should choose based on their specific trading style and risk tolerance. Both are excellent choices, but IC Markets wins for cost-focused traders, while Exness excels for convenience and speed.