Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Chinese traders seeking international forex exposure, choosing between Exness and Plus500 is a critical decision. Both brokers are popular among offshore traders in China, but they cater to different needs. Exness, with a stellar 4.8/5 Trustpilot score, is known for its low spreads, flexible deposit methods including USDT and international bank transfers, and high leverage options. Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, offers a user-friendly platform but has higher costs and fewer local payment options. Given China's strict capital controls, the ability to deposit via USDT and international bank transfers is a major advantage for Exness. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local requirements.
| Instrument | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Plus500 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Plus500 |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Plus500 |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Plus500 |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for China traders, Exness clearly outperforms Plus500. Exness offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account for major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.5 per lot. Plus500's variable spreads start around 0.6 pips with no commission, but for high-volume traders, Exness's lower spreads save significant costs. For example, trading 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, Exness costs about $35 in commission versus Plus500's $60 in spread costs. Additionally, Exness charges no overnight fees on Islamic accounts, while Plus500 may apply administrative fees. Chinese traders who trade frequently will benefit more from Exness's cost structure.
| Account Type | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:300 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:300 |
| 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 | Plus500 | 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+ | Plus500 |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
Exness provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely used by Chinese traders for their advanced charting tools, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and custom indicators. Plus500 offers its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which are simpler and more intuitive but lack advanced features like EAs. For Chinese traders who rely on algorithmic trading or complex analysis, Exness is the clear winner. However, beginners may prefer Plus500's straightforward interface. Both platforms are available in Chinese language, but Exness's MT4/MT5 are more customizable for professional use.
| Factor | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Plus500 |
| 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 |
Exness boasts ultra-fast execution with an average order speed of 0.1 seconds and no requotes on most accounts. It offers true ECN/STP execution with direct market access. Plus500 uses a market maker model, which may result in slightly slower execution and potential slippage during volatile markets. For Chinese traders trading high-frequency or news-based strategies, Exness's execution quality is superior. Plus500's execution is adequate for casual traders but less reliable for scalping.
| Safety Factor | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Exness and Plus500 operate under multiple international regulators, but neither is licensed by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). Exness is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles), offering strong client fund protection. Plus500 is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC (Australia). For Chinese traders, this means funds are held in segregated accounts and protected under the respective regulatory frameworks. However, Exness's higher regulatory tier and transparent reporting give it an edge. Both brokers accept Chinese clients as international traders, but Exness's broader regulatory coverage provides additional confidence for offshore trading.
| Payment Method | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3 business day |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a Chinese trader is where Exness excels. Exness supports USDT (Tether) deposits, allowing instant transactions without traditional banking delays, plus international bank transfers in CNY. Minimum deposit is just $10 (approx. 70 CNY). Plus500 accepts credit/debit cards and bank transfers, but does not directly support USDT, forcing Chinese users to rely on slower bank transfers. Withdrawal times for Exness are typically instant for USDT and 1-3 days for bank transfers. Plus500 withdrawals take 3-5 business days. For Chinese traders facing capital controls, Exness's USDT option is a game-changer, enabling fast, low-cost funding directly from crypto exchanges.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China, but Exness provides a more seamless experience. Exness automatically converts standard accounts to swap-free upon request, with no additional fees or restrictions. Plus500 also offers Islamic accounts, but traders must contact customer support to activate them, and certain instruments may incur administrative charges. For Chinese Muslim traders, Exness's automatic conversion and zero-cost policy make it the preferable choice. Both brokers ensure no overnight interest is charged or paid, complying with Sharia law. Exness's Islamic accounts also support the same low spreads and deposit methods, including USDT.
| Support Feature | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Exness offers 24/7 multilingual customer support in Chinese via live chat, email, and phone. Response times are typically under 30 seconds for live chat. Plus500 also provides 24/7 support in Chinese, but mainly through live chat and email, with slower response times. Exness's dedicated Chinese-speaking team and faster support give it an edge for China traders who need immediate assistance with deposits, withdrawals, or technical issues.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | Plus500 | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Exness | Plus500 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | Exness |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose Plus500 if you...
For Chinese traders, Exness is the clear winner due to its superior cost structure, flexible deposit methods (especially USDT), and advanced trading platforms. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects strong user satisfaction among offshore traders. Plus500, with a 3.7/5 score, is a simpler alternative but falls short on costs and local payment options. Given China's capital controls, Exness's USDT support is a critical advantage that Plus500 lacks. While neither broker is CSRC-regulated, Exness's higher regulatory standards and better execution make it the preferred choice for Chinese traders seeking international exposure. We recommend Exness for most traders, but Plus500 may suit beginners who prioritize simplicity.