Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders looking to access global markets from offshore, choosing between IG and Capital.com is a critical decision. Both brokers are well-established international providers, but they cater to different trading styles and preferences. IG, with a 4.2/5 rating, is a London-based giant with over 50 years of history, offering a vast range of forex pairs, indices, and commodities. Capital.com, rated 3.8/5, is a newer fintech-driven broker known for its intuitive platform and educational tools. For China traders, key factors include the ability to deposit via USDT or international bank transfer, low spreads on high-volume trading, and regulatory protection from reputable bodies. Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, so traders must operate through offshore entities. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit methods specifically for the China market in 2026.
| Instrument | IG | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Capital.com |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Capital.com |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Capital.com |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Capital.com |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $20 | IG |
When comparing trading costs for China traders, IG generally offers lower spreads on major forex pairs like EUR/USD (from 0.6 pips) compared to Capital.com (from 0.7 pips). For high-volume traders, this 0.1 pip difference can translate into significant savings over time. IG also provides tiered spreads based on trading volume, rewarding active China traders with tighter pricing. Capital.com, however, offers commission-free trading on standard accounts, making it more cost-effective for smaller trades. Both brokers have no hidden fees for deposits or withdrawals via USDT or bank transfer, but IG charges an inactivity fee after two years of dormancy, while Capital.com does not. China traders should consider their average trade size and frequency to determine which cost structure suits them best.
| Account Type | IG | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Entity / Asset | IG | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:200 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:30 | 1:200 |
| 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 | IG | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IG |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IG |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IG |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Capital.com |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | IG | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IG offers its proprietary web platform and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which is popular among China traders for its advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Capital.com provides a custom web platform and mobile app, known for its clean interface and integrated educational content. For China traders, IG's MT4 support is a major advantage, as many local traders are familiar with it. Capital.com's platform, while more user-friendly, lacks the depth of customization that experienced traders may need. Both brokers offer demo accounts and mobile trading, but IG's platform is more robust for professional use, while Capital.com's is ideal for beginners.
| Factor | IG | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Capital.com |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IG |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
IG provides fast execution with no requotes on most orders, using a market maker model with access to multiple liquidity providers. Capital.com uses an ECN/STP model, offering direct market access and low latency execution. For China traders, IG's execution is reliable for high-frequency trading, while Capital.com's model may offer better transparency. Both brokers have average execution speeds under 100ms, suitable for scalping strategies.
| Safety Factor | IG | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IG is regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CFTC (US), offering strong client protection and compensation schemes. Capital.com is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, but lacks US regulation. For China traders, neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, so they must accept that their accounts are held offshore. IG's longer regulatory history and multiple licenses provide greater reassurance for China traders concerned about fund safety. Capital.com's regulation is still solid but less comprehensive. Both brokers segregate client funds and offer negative balance protection, which is crucial for volatile markets.
| Payment Method | IG | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | 24 hours |
China traders can fund their IG or Capital.com accounts using USDT (Tether) or international bank transfers. USDT deposits are processed instantly with no fees, making them ideal for quick funding. International bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary bank fees. For withdrawals, both brokers process requests within 24 hours, with funds arriving in 1-5 business days for bank transfers. Capital.com supports USDT withdrawals directly, while IG requires conversion to fiat first. Minimum deposits are $250 for both brokers. China traders should use offshore bank accounts or crypto wallets to avoid capital control restrictions imposed by the Chinese government.
| Islamic Account Feature | IG | Capital.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IG and Capital.com offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. IG provides swap-free accounts upon request for eligible clients, with no overnight interest charges on positions. Capital.com automatically applies swap-free status to accounts flagged as Islamic. Both brokers comply with Sharia law, but IG requires a minimum deposit of $500 for Islamic accounts, while Capital.com has no such requirement. China Muslim traders should note that swap-free accounts may have restrictions on certain instruments or holding periods. Overall, both brokers accommodate Islamic trading needs effectively.
| Support Feature | IG | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IG |
IG offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with Mandarin-language support available during Asian trading hours. Capital.com provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but phone support is limited. For China traders, IG's dedicated Mandarin support is a key advantage, as it ensures clear communication for account issues and trading queries. Capital.com's support is responsive but may lack the same level of language assistance.
| Mobile Feature | IG | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IG |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IG |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | IG |
| Resource | IG | Capital.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | IG |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IG |
Choose IG if you...
Choose Capital.com if you...
For China traders in 2026, IG is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its lower spreads, MT4 support, and robust regulation. Its 4.2/5 score reflects its reliability for offshore trading, especially for experienced traders seeking international exposure. Capital.com, with a 3.8/5 rating, is a solid alternative for beginners or those prioritizing simplicity and commission-free trading. Both brokers support USDT and international bank transfers, making them accessible for China traders navigating capital controls. However, neither is regulated by the CSRC, so traders must accept offshore risks. Ultimately, IG wins for advanced traders, while Capital.com suits those starting out.