Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking reliable offshore forex brokers, XM Group and AvaTrade stand out as two of the most popular choices in 2026. Both brokers cater to international clients, offering competitive trading conditions, multi-asset platforms, and support for local deposit methods like USDT and international bank transfers. XM Group, with a rating of 4.7/5, is known for its low-cost variable spreads, zero-commission accounts, and extensive educational resources. AvaTrade, rated 4.6/5, excels with its fixed spread options, advanced trading tools (including AvaOptions), and strong regulatory oversight from authorities like ASIC and the FCA. While neither broker is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), they operate legally as offshore entities, allowing China traders to access global forex, indices, commodities, and crypto markets. This comparison helps you decide which broker better aligns with your trading style, deposit preferences, and risk tolerance.
| Instrument | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | AvaTrade |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | AvaTrade |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | AvaTrade |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | AvaTrade |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | AvaTrade |
For China traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for high-volume strategies. XM Group offers variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts, with zero commission on Micro and Standard accounts. The XM Zero account reduces spreads to 0.0 pips but charges a $5 commission per lot. AvaTrade, on the other hand, provides fixed spreads starting from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission on standard accounts. For scalpers and day traders, XM Group’s variable spreads can be more cost-effective during liquid market hours. However, AvaTrade’s fixed spreads offer predictability, which may benefit traders who prefer stable costs during volatile periods. Overall, XM Group typically has lower average spreads for major pairs, making it more attractive for cost-sensitive China traders.
| Account Type | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:400 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:400 |
| 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 | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer robust trading platforms tailored to China traders. XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are widely used in China for their advanced charting, automated trading (EA support), and fast execution. AvaTrade also supports MT4 and MT5, but additionally offers its proprietary AvaTradeGO app and AvaOptions for forex options trading. For China traders, AvaTrade’s platform selection is slightly broader, especially for those interested in options strategies. However, XM Group’s platforms are more streamlined and familiar to the majority of Chinese retail traders, with strong mobile support for Android and iOS. Both brokers offer demo accounts for practice, and XM Group provides additional trading tools like XM WebTrader for browser-based trading.
| Factor | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | AvaTrade |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is crucial for China traders, especially scalpers and day traders. XM Group offers No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds and no requotes. AvaTrade also uses NDD execution but with a slightly higher average speed of 0.3 seconds. Both brokers have 99.9% order fill rates. XM Group’s faster execution and lower latency make it preferable for high-frequency trading strategies. AvaTrade’s execution is still reliable for most retail traders, but may not suit ultra-fast scalping.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CBI |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key consideration for China traders choosing between XM Group and AvaTrade. XM Group is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). AvaTrade holds licenses from the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FCA, and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in the BVI. Neither broker is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), which means China traders must rely on offshore protections. Both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds. AvaTrade’s multiple Tier-1 licenses provide an extra layer of security, while XM Group’s FCA regulation ensures strong client fund protection. For China traders, AvaTrade’s broader regulatory coverage may inspire more confidence, but both are considered reliable offshore brokers.
| Payment Method | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for China traders at both XM Group and AvaTrade. XM Group accepts USDT deposits via third-party processors like AdvCash and Perfect Money, with no deposit fees and processing times under 1 hour. International bank transfers are also supported, with minimum deposits of $100 (or equivalent in CNY via conversion). Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours for USDT and 1-3 business days for bank transfers. AvaTrade similarly supports USDT deposits through its AvaOptions platform, with instant processing and no fees. Bank transfers (international) require a minimum of $500 and take 1-3 business days. Both brokers charge no internal withdrawal fees, but intermediary bank fees may apply for wire transfers. For China traders, USDT deposits are the fastest and most cost-effective method, while bank transfers are suitable for larger sums.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| 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 China Muslim traders, both XM Group and AvaTrade offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Micro, Standard, XM Zero) with no additional fees, though some instruments may have a small administration fee after a certain holding period. AvaTrade offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw Spread accounts, with the same swap-free feature but no extra administration fees. Both brokers require traders to submit a request after account opening, and eligibility is typically granted based on religious or location criteria. For China traders, AvaTrade’s Islamic account is slightly more favorable due to the absence of administration fees, while XM Group offers broader account type flexibility.
| Support Feature | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
Customer support is available 24/5 for both brokers, with multilingual teams including Mandarin Chinese support. XM Group offers live chat, email, and phone support, with response times typically under 1 minute for live chat. AvaTrade also provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Chinese-speaking team. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources in Chinese. XM Group’s support is slightly more responsive, while AvaTrade offers more comprehensive phone support for account-specific issues.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose AvaTrade if you...
For China traders, both XM Group and AvaTrade are excellent offshore brokers, but the best choice depends on your trading style and priorities. XM Group (4.7/5) excels with lower variable spreads, faster execution, and a wider range of account types, making it ideal for cost-conscious scalpers and day traders. AvaTrade (4.6/5) offers fixed spreads, stronger multi-regulator oversight, and broader platform options, including forex options trading. Both support USDT and international bank transfers, which are convenient for China traders. While neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, they operate under reputable offshore licenses. If you prioritize low costs and flexibility, choose XM Group. If you value regulatory safety and predictable spreads, AvaTrade is the better fit.