Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international forex exposure, XM Group and FXTM are two of the most trusted offshore brokers. XM Group, with a score of 4.7/5, is known for its tight spreads, zero-commission trading, and extensive deposit methods including USDT and international bank transfers. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a robust trading environment with strong educational resources and a wide range of account types. Both brokers are not regulated by the CSRC but hold licenses from top-tier regulators like the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSCA (South Africa). This makes them suitable for China traders who want to trade forex, CFDs, and commodities with global liquidity. In 2026, choosing between XM Group and FXTM depends on your trading style, deposit preferences, and need for local payment options. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit methods, and more to help you decide.
| Instrument | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 | FXTM |
When comparing trading costs for China traders, XM Group generally offers lower spreads than FXTM. XM's Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, while FXTM's Standard account starts at 1.3 pips. For high-volume traders, XM's Zero account provides spreads as low as 0.0 pips with a $5 commission per lot, which is cheaper than FXTM's ECN account (0.1 pips spread + $4 commission per lot). Over 100 trades per month, XM can save China traders 20-30% in costs. Both brokers have no deposit or withdrawal fees for USDT and bank transfers, making them cost-effective for China-based traders.
| Account Type | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | 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+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and FXTM offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are popular among China traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and EA support. XM Group also provides a proprietary XM WebTrader for browser-based trading, while FXTM offers FXTM Trader, a mobile-friendly platform. For China traders who rely on algorithmic trading, both brokers support Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5. FXTM's educational platform includes webinars and tutorials in Mandarin, which is a plus for less experienced traders.
| Factor | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 |
XM Group offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 0.07 seconds, while FXTM averages 0.1 seconds. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution on most account types, ensuring no requotes or slippage during normal market conditions. For China traders trading high-volatility assets like gold or indices, XM's faster execution reduces the risk of slippage. FXTM's execution is still reliable, but XM has a slight edge in speed and consistency.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither XM Group nor FXTM is regulated by the CSRC (China Securities Regulatory Commission). However, both brokers hold licenses from respected international regulators: XM Group is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), while FXTM is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA (South Africa). For China traders, this means your funds are protected by tier-1 regulatory frameworks, such as the FCA's Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. Trading with these brokers is legal for offshore accounts, but they cannot actively market to mainland China residents.
| Payment Method | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
China traders have multiple deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. XM Group accepts USDT (Tether) via TRC20 and ERC20 networks, international bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. FXTM accepts the same, plus local Chinese payment methods like UnionPay. USDT deposits are processed instantly and are fee-free, making them ideal for China traders who want to avoid bank delays. International bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at both brokers, with USDT withdrawals being the fastest. Minimum deposits are low: $5 for XM Group and $10 for FXTM, making both accessible for retail traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for China's Muslim traders who follow Sharia law. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Zero, and Ultra Low) with no time limit or administrative fees. FXTM offers Islamic accounts on Standard and ECN accounts but may charge a small administrative fee after 30 days of holding a position overnight. To activate an Islamic account, China traders simply need to contact customer support after registration. XM's policy is more favorable for long-term traders who hold positions for extended periods.
| Support Feature | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group provides 24/5 customer support in Mandarin via live chat, email, and phone. FXTM also offers Mandarin support during market hours but with slightly longer response times. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections in Chinese. XM's support team is known for faster response times (under 1 minute on live chat), while FXTM offers more personalized account management for VIP clients. For China traders, XM's round-the-clock support is a clear advantage.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For China traders in 2026, XM Group is the stronger choice overall, scoring 4.7/5 vs FXTM's 4.3/5. XM Group offers lower spreads, faster execution, and more flexible deposit methods including USDT and international bank transfers. Its swap-free Islamic account policy is also more favorable for long-term traders. While FXTM excels in educational resources and offers UnionPay support, XM's cost efficiency and regulatory strength make it the preferred broker for offshore China traders. Both brokers are not CSRC-regulated, but they operate under top-tier international licenses. If you prioritize low costs and fast funding, go with XM Group. If you need more learning tools and local payment options, FXTM is a solid alternative.