Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders navigating the offshore forex market, choosing between IG and InvestoPro is a critical decision. Both brokers allow international exposure, accept USDT and bank transfers, and cater to traders seeking to bypass local restrictions. IG, with a Trustpilot score of 4.2/5, is a London-listed giant offering over 17,000 markets, advanced charting, and robust regulation from the FCA and ASIC. InvestoPro, rated 3.8/5, is a newer offshore broker focusing on tight spreads, crypto-friendly deposits, and flexible leverage. Neither is regulated by the CSRC, so China traders must consider their own risk tolerance, trading volume, and need for local payment methods. This comparison highlights key differences in costs, platforms, and deposit options to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in 2025.
| Instrument | IG | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | InvestoPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | InvestoPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | InvestoPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | InvestoPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for China traders, InvestoPro typically offers lower spreads on major forex pairs like EUR/USD (as low as 0.0 pips with commission) compared to IG's floating spreads from 0.6 pips. For high-volume traders, this can translate to significant savings. However, IG's spreads are more consistent and backed by deep liquidity, reducing slippage risk. China traders should also consider swap rates and inactivity fees—IG charges after two years of inactivity, while InvestoPro has no such fee. Overall, InvestoPro is more cost-efficient for active scalpers, while IG suits those who prioritize transparency and reliability.
| Account Type | IG | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | IG | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:30 | 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 | IG | InvestoPro | 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+ | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IG | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IG offers its proprietary web platform, MT4, and the advanced L2 Dealer for professional traders, all available in simplified Chinese. This is ideal for China traders who want robust charting and automated trading. InvestoPro provides MT4, MT5, and a web trader, with limited Chinese language support. For traders relying on algorithmic strategies or EA trading, both brokers support expert advisors. IG's platform is more comprehensive for multi-asset trading, while InvestoPro focuses on forex and CFDs with a cleaner interface. Mobile apps from both work well on iOS and Android, but IG's app offers more analysis tools.
| Factor | IG | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | InvestoPro |
| 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 boasts ultra-fast execution with no requotes, thanks to its STP/ECN model and multiple data centers. Average execution speed is under 40ms. InvestoPro also offers ECN execution with speeds around 50ms, but slippage can occur during volatile news events. For China traders trading during Asian sessions, both brokers perform well, but IG's infrastructure is more reliable for high-frequency strategies.
| Safety Factor | IG | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| 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), providing strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. InvestoPro is regulated by the FSA (SVG) and operates under an offshore license, which offers less investor protection. For China traders, neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, meaning deposits are not covered by local schemes. IG's robust regulation offers greater peace of mind for larger investments, while InvestoPro's lighter oversight allows more flexibility in leverage and trading conditions. China traders should assess their risk appetite accordingly.
| Payment Method | IG | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days |
Depositing funds as a China trader is straightforward with both brokers. IG supports international bank transfers (SWIFT) in USD, EUR, or GBP, and also accepts USDT via third-party processors. Minimum deposit is $250. InvestoPro is more crypto-native, directly accepting USDT (ERC20/TRC20) and bank transfers with a lower minimum of $100. Bank transfers from China may take 2-5 business days and incur intermediary fees. USDT deposits are near-instant with minimal fees. Withdrawals at IG are processed within 1-2 days via bank transfer; InvestoPro processes within 24 hours for crypto. Both brokers require verification documents compliant with international KYC standards.
| Islamic Account Feature | IG | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 requiring swap-free accounts, both IG and InvestoPro offer Islamic accounts. IG provides them upon request with proof of Islamic faith, and they are available for forex and indices CFDs. InvestoPro offers automatic swap-free accounts for all new clients from Muslim-majority regions, including China, with no extra documentation. However, InvestoPro may charge an administrative fee after holding positions for more than a few days, while IG does not. China traders should confirm terms with support before opening an Islamic account to avoid unexpected costs.
| Support Feature | IG | InvestoPro | 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 multilingual customer support via live chat, phone, and email, with Chinese-speaking agents available during Asian trading hours. InvestoPro provides 24/7 live chat and email support, but Chinese language support is limited to email only. For China traders who prefer phone support in Mandarin, IG is the better choice. InvestoPro's support is responsive but may have longer wait times for complex queries.
| Mobile Feature | IG | InvestoPro | 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 | InvestoPro | 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 InvestoPro if you...
For China traders in 2025, IG is the safer choice due to its top-tier regulation, robust platform, and Chinese language support, making it ideal for those who value security and transparency. InvestoPro appeals to cost-conscious traders who prioritize tight spreads and USDT deposits for fast, low-fee transactions. Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, so China traders must manage their own compliance with local capital controls. If you trade high volumes and prefer crypto payments, InvestoPro offers better value. For long-term, multi-asset investing with reliable support, IG is the winner. Always test with a demo account first.