Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing IC Markets vs FxPro for China traders in 2026, the choice often comes down to cost and convenience. IC Markets, with a score of 4.8/5, is widely preferred by retail traders across China for its ultra-low spreads and extensive deposit options, including USDT via TRC20. FxPro, scoring 4.1/5, offers a polished platform suite but at a higher trading cost. For China traders who face strict capital controls, the ability to fund accounts with USDT, Skrill, or Neteller is a critical factor. Both brokers operate under international licenses, meaning they accept Chinese clients but are not regulated by the local financial regulator. This comparison highlights the key differences in spreads, platforms, and payment methods to help you decide which broker fits your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | FxPro |
For China traders, trading costs are a major deciding factor. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its True ECN account with a commission of $3.5 per lot per side. In contrast, FxPro's standard account has spreads starting at 0.6 pips with no commission. Over 100 lots per month, IC Markets can save you $70–$100 compared to FxPro, depending on the pair. For high-frequency or scalping strategies common among China retail traders, IC Markets' lower spreads are a clear advantage. However, FxPro's fixed spreads on some accounts provide predictability, which may appeal to beginners.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 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 | IC Markets | FxPro | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are the most used platforms by China traders. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a popular choice for ECN trading with advanced charting. FxPro provides its proprietary FxPro Edge platform in addition to MT4/5. For China traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom indicators, both brokers are fully compatible. IC Markets' cTrader is favored by scalpers for its speed, while FxPro's Edge platform offers a clean interface for manual traders. Mobile trading apps from both brokers are available in Chinese language.
| Factor | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is critical for China traders, especially scalpers and day traders. IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers and offers true ECN execution with no requotes, achieving average execution speeds under 40ms. FxPro also provides fast execution with its No Dealing Desk (NDD) model, but speeds average around 60ms. IC Markets' lower latency and direct market access give it an advantage for high-frequency strategies. Both brokers have 99.9% uptime, but IC Markets' infrastructure is more optimized for algorithmic trading.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| 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). FxPro is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and CySEC. For China traders, these offshore regulations mean that client funds are held in segregated accounts, but there is no local regulator oversight. The local financial regulator in China does not supervise foreign forex brokers, so traders must rely on the broker's reputation and international licensing. Both brokers have a strong track record, but IC Markets' higher score reflects greater trust among China users.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | 1 business day |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is a key concern for China traders due to capital controls. Both IC Markets and FxPro accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets excels with instant USDT deposits via TRC20, which is fast and low-cost for Chinese users. FxPro also supports USDT but may take up to 24 hours for processing. Bank transfers from China can take 3–5 business days and incur higher fees, so Skrill and Neteller are popular alternatives. For withdrawals, IC Markets processes most requests within 24 hours, while FxPro may take 1–2 business days. Both brokers do not charge internal fees, but bank intermediaries may apply charges.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IC Markets and FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. IC Markets requires clients to submit a request after account opening and may apply a small administration fee after a certain holding period. FxPro automatically provides swap-free accounts for eligible clients from predominantly Muslim regions, including China. Both accounts remove overnight interest on positions, making them suitable for long-term trading. However, IC Markets' policy is more flexible for scalpers, while FxPro's automatic setup is more convenient.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
Customer support for China traders is available 24/5 from both brokers via live chat, email, and phone. IC Markets offers Chinese-speaking support during Asian trading hours, while FxPro provides multilingual support including Mandarin. Response times are generally under 5 minutes for live chat. IC Markets has a slight edge with faster email replies, often within 2 hours, compared to FxPro's 4–6 hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections in Chinese.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose FxPro if you...
For China retail traders in 2026, IC Markets is the stronger choice due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and superior deposit options including USDT via TRC20. While FxPro offers reputable regulation and a user-friendly platform, its higher costs and slower payment processing make it less competitive for cost-conscious traders. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, but IC Markets processes USDT deposits instantly. Given that the local financial regulator does not oversee foreign brokers, traders should prioritize brokers with strong international licenses and transparent policies. IC Markets' 4.8/5 score reflects its consistent performance for China traders, making it the recommended option for most retail traders.