Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders operating offshore, choosing the right broker is critical to navigating international markets while managing capital controls. Exness and IG are two leading options, but they cater to different needs. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is favored for its ultra-low spreads, high leverage up to 1:2000, and seamless support for USDT deposits—a game-changer for Chinese traders who prefer cryptocurrency payments. IG, scoring 4.2/5, is a globally regulated broker with a strong reputation, offering a vast range of markets (forex, indices, shares) and advanced platforms like MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime. However, IG lacks USDT support and has higher minimum deposits, which can be a barrier for China-based traders. Both brokers are unregulated by the CSRC, meaning traders must use them at their own risk, but their international licenses (FCA, FSA) provide a layer of security. This comparison focuses on costs, payment methods, and regulation to help China traders decide which broker aligns with their offshore trading goals in 2026.
| Instrument | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | IG |
For China traders, trading costs are a major factor, especially when trading high volumes. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread accounts with a $3.5 commission per lot, making it ideal for scalpers and day traders. In contrast, IG's standard spreads start at 0.8 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, but its active trader program offers rebates for high-volume traders. When trading 10 standard lots per month, Exness's total cost (spread + commission) is roughly $35, while IG's cost is around $80—a 56% savings with Exness. For China traders using USDT deposits, Exness's lower costs compound the benefit, as they avoid forex conversion fees. IG's costs are higher but include access to over 17,000 markets, which may justify the premium for diversified portfolios.
| Account Type | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| 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 | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and IG offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among China traders for their custom indicators and automated trading. IG additionally provides its proprietary web platform and ProRealTime, a charting tool with advanced technical analysis, which appeals to traders who need in-depth market research. Exness also offers a mobile app with one-click trading and social trading features, but its platform selection is more streamlined. For China traders, IG's platform diversity is a plus for those trading indices and shares, while Exness's simplicity and fast execution suit forex-focused traders. Both platforms support English and Chinese languages, ensuring accessibility.
| Factor | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| 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 using high-leverage strategies. Exness boasts an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds with 99.9% order fill rate, minimizing slippage during volatile markets. IG's execution speed is also fast (under 0.2 seconds) but may vary during peak times. Exness's No Dealing Desk (NDD) model ensures transparent pricing, while IG uses a hybrid model. For scalping and news trading, Exness's superior execution gives it an edge.
| Safety Factor | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for China traders, as the CSRC does not oversee offshore forex brokers. Exness is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles), offering tiered client protection. IG is regulated by the FCA, ASIC (Australia), and other top-tier bodies, providing stronger investor protection schemes (e.g., FSCS up to £85,000). However, for China traders, neither broker holds CSRC authorization, meaning deposits are not protected under Chinese law. Exness's regulation in Seychelles (FSA) is less strict, allowing higher leverage, while IG's FCA regulation limits leverage to 1:30 for retail clients. China traders should assess their risk tolerance—Exness offers more flexibility, while IG provides a more regulated environment with lower leverage.
| Payment Method | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
Deposit and withdrawal methods are critical for China traders facing capital controls. Exness supports USDT (Tether) deposits, which are instant and fee-free, allowing traders to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Bank Transfer (international) is also available but may take 1-3 business days. IG only accepts Bank Transfer (international) and credit/debit cards, with no USDT support. For China traders, Exness's USDT option is a major advantage, as it enables quick funding without currency conversion. Withdrawals with Exness are processed within 24 hours for USDT, while IG's bank transfers can take up to 5 business days. Exness also offers local currency options (USD, EUR) via Bank Transfer, but IG's minimum deposit of $250 (vs Exness's $10) may be prohibitive for small traders. Overall, Exness's payment flexibility is superior for China traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness and IG provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for China Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. Exness offers Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, Zero) with no swap charges on overnight positions, except for certain CFDs on commodities and indices. IG provides Islamic accounts upon request, but they may require a minimum deposit of $500 and are limited to forex pairs only. Exness's Islamic account is more accessible, with no minimum deposit requirement and broader instrument coverage. For China Muslim traders, Exness is the clear choice due to its ease of setup and lower barriers.
| Support Feature | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support is vital for China traders facing time zone differences. Exness offers 24/7 live chat and email support in Chinese (Mandarin), with quick response times (under 2 minutes). IG provides 24/5 phone and live chat support in English and Chinese, but weekend support is limited. Exness's round-the-clock availability is beneficial for traders using USDT deposits, as issues can be resolved instantly. IG's support is professional but less accessible during Chinese holidays.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose IG if you...
For China traders operating offshore, Exness emerges as the better choice in 2026 due to its cost efficiency, USDT deposit support, and high leverage. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects its suitability for active forex traders who prioritize low spreads and fast funding. IG, with a 4.2/5 rating, is ideal for traders seeking a regulated, multi-asset platform with strong investor protection, but its lack of USDT and higher costs limit its appeal for China-based users. While neither broker is CSRC-regulated, Exness's flexible payment methods and execution quality make it the top pick for China traders looking to maximize returns in international markets. Always consider your trading style and risk tolerance before choosing.