Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international forex exposure, choosing the right offshore broker is crucial. FBS and FP Markets are two popular options, but they cater to different trader profiles. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, is known for its low minimum deposits (as low as $5) and diverse account types, making it accessible for beginners. FP Markets, scoring 4.7/5, excels in low spreads, fast execution, and institutional-grade trading conditions, appealing to experienced traders. Both brokers accept deposits via USDT and international bank transfers, which are essential for China traders navigating capital controls. However, neither is regulated by the CSRC, so traders must operate through international entities and understand the associated risks. This comparison dives deep into trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods to help you decide which broker aligns with your offshore trading strategy in 2025.
| Instrument | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FP Markets |
For China traders, trading costs are a major factor. FP Markets offers raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a commission of $3 per lot per side, ideal for high-volume scalpers. FBS standard spreads start at 1.0 pips with no commission, but its ECN account has spreads from 0.3 pips plus a commission of $6 per lot. Over 100 lots per month, FP Markets saves approximately $300 in spreads alone. FBS also charges a withdrawal fee of up to $30 for bank transfers, adding to costs. For China traders trading in CNY-equivalent lots, FP Markets provides better value, especially for those using USDT to avoid conversion fees.
| Account Type | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are widely used by China traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FP Markets also provides cTrader, a platform known for its intuitive interface and depth of market, appealing to algorithmic traders. FBS offers its proprietary FBS Trader app, which is mobile-friendly but lacks the depth of MT4/MT5. For China traders who rely on EA strategies, both brokers support VPS hosting, but FP Markets offers lower latency connections to major liquidity providers. FBS's platform selection is adequate for beginners, while FP Markets gives professional traders more flexibility.
| Factor | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is a key differentiator. FP Markets offers ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, providing fast order execution (typically under 10ms) and deep liquidity from multiple banks. FBS uses a market execution model with some re-quotes during volatile periods. For China traders using scalping or EA strategies, FP Markets' execution is superior, with minimal slippage. FBS is acceptable for swing traders, but its execution may not suit high-frequency trading. FP Markets also offers a dedicated VPS service for algorithmic traders, reducing latency further.
| Safety Factor | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical concern for China traders, as neither FBS nor FP Markets is regulated by the CSRC. FBS is regulated by the IFSC (Belize) and CySEC, while FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC. ASIC regulation is considered more stringent, offering negative balance protection and client fund segregation. For China traders, operating under ASIC or CySEC means the broker must comply with international standards, but there is no local CSRC protection. Traders should verify the specific entity they open an account with—for example, FP Markets' ASIC-regulated entity is suitable for offshore traders. Always use the broker's international website and avoid any promises of CSRC compliance.
| Payment Method | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 24 hours |
For China traders, deposit and withdrawal methods are key. Both FBS and FP Markets accept USDT (ERC-20 or TRC-20) and international bank transfers. USDT deposits are processed within minutes and are ideal for avoiding China's capital controls, with no fees from the broker. FBS also supports local methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay through third-party processors, but these may have lower limits and additional fees. FP Markets focuses on USDT and bank wires, with a minimum deposit of $100 for bank transfers. Withdrawals at FBS can be done via USDT or bank transfer, but bank transfers may take 2-5 business days and incur a $30 fee. FP Markets offers free withdrawals for USDT, while bank transfers have a $20 fee. For frequent traders, USDT is the most efficient method.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FBS and FP Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. FBS provides swap-free accounts upon request for all account types, with no expiry or additional fees. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts for Standard and Raw ECN accounts, but they may charge a small administrative fee after holding positions for a certain period (e.g., 10 days). China traders should confirm the specific terms, as swap-free accounts are designed to comply with Sharia law by eliminating interest on overnight positions. FBS's policy is more straightforward, while FP Markets may be more suitable for short-term traders.
| Support Feature | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
Customer support is vital for China traders. FBS offers 24/7 live chat and email support in Chinese, with a dedicated WeChat account for faster communication. FP Markets provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, with Chinese language available during business hours (UTC+8). FP Markets' support is more professional for complex queries, while FBS is more accessible for instant help. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections, but FBS's WeChat integration gives it an edge for China traders who prefer mobile messaging.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FBS | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For China traders seeking international exposure, FP Markets is the superior choice in 2025 due to its higher overall score (4.7/5), tighter spreads, and ASIC regulation. Its support for USDT deposits and low-cost trading aligns well with offshore trading needs, especially for experienced traders. FBS (3.7/5) is a viable alternative for beginners with smaller capital, thanks to its low minimum deposit and local payment options like Alipay. However, both brokers operate outside CSRC regulation, so traders must use USDT or international bank transfers and understand the legal risks. Ultimately, FP Markets offers better value for cost-conscious traders, while FBS suits those prioritizing accessibility. Always test both with a demo account before committing funds.