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Best Day Trading Platforms and Brokers in China 2025

Written By

Jemma Grist

Written By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

» Jemma Grist Profile Page

Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Updated

Oct 4, 2024

China’s highly volatile Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets, frequent government interventions leading to sharp market movements, and rapid economic growth making it the world’s second-largest economy with a GDP of $17.7 trillion, create an attractive environment for short-term traders.

We’ve identified the best day trading platforms in China following hands-on tests. Many of these platforms cater to Chinese day traders, offering local markets like currency pairs containing the Chinese yuan (CNH) and stocks listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), as well as convenient payment methods, such as Hangzhou-based Alipay.

Note, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has tightened restrictions surrounding online trading in recent years. This is to keep a handle on capital outlfows and stabilize the yuan. We recommend checking Beijing’s latest rules to make sure you only trade with authorized brokers.

Methodology

To uncover the best day trading brokers in China, we searched our database of 219 online platforms and narrowed it down to all those that accept Chinese traders.

We then ranked them by their overall score, leveraging 100+ data points and findings from our in-depth assessments.

How To Choose A Day Trading Broker In China

Our years in the industry have shown that there are several important factors to consider when choosing a broker:

Choose A Trustworthy Broker

A trusted brokerage will be regulated by a credible authority and provide a secure environment to help protect you from trading scams.

Unfortunately, trading scams are prevalent in China, with the infamous ‘Pig Butchering’ operation sweeping through Asia in recent years. As reported by CNN, this is a “type of confidence fraud in which victims are lured by scammers often impersonating young women on the internet. The scammers then spend weeks building a relationship with their victim, introducing them to cryptocurrency and encouraging them to invest on a fake platform.”

That’s why day trading with a regulated broker is crucial if you want peace of mind and security. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) oversees domestic financial markets.

Some overseas brokers also accept Chinese traders, though it’s important to check for any legal restrictions before signing up.

If you do opt for this route, it’s advisable to select a broker authorized by a ‘green tier’ regulator, such as the UK’s FCA. We also recommend picking a broker with a long, clean track record.

Choose A Broker With Diverse Market Coverage

Day traders may be interested in a range of asset classes, typically traded via short-term products like contracts for difference (CFDs).

For Chinese traders, exotic currency pairs involving the Chinese yuan renminbi (CNY or CNH in the offshore market) such as the USD/CNH, exhibit significant volatility that can make them attractive to short-term trading strategies.

You may also be interested in Chinese shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), such as Kweichow Moutai Co and PetroChina.

Additionally, as the world’s number one exporter of goods, China offers opportunities to speculate on prominent commodities, such as oil, iron ore and aluminium.

Choose A Broker With Excellent Pricing

Low brokerage fees are important if you’re actively trading, as transaction costs can accumulate quickly.

That’s why we assess spreads and commissions on popular assets, the most common day trading fees. We also consider non-trading fees such as deposit and withdrawal charges, plus conversion costs if transferring Chinese yuan.

Choose A Broker With Reliable Charting Platforms

Short-term traders require a stable charting environment to build strategies and execute trades.

Crucially, the best charting platforms are user-friendly, easy to navigate and deliver a wide range of technical tools.

Popular options include MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which have pioneered online trading software since 2005. However, more contemporary options like cTrader and TradingView stand out for their sleeker designs, with limited compromises in terms of quality and features.

I particularly love that you can view chart patterns from Autochartist directly in the cTrader workspace alongside your chosen asset. For example, I was able to seamlessly analyze potential opportunities in the HK50 Index, as can be seen below.

Jemma Grist

Author

Choose A Broker With Clear Leverage Requirements

Leverage is a key component of many day trading strategies, allowing you to magnify your gains while only putting down a small deposit (margin).

Let’s say I want to speculate on PetroChina shares with leverage of 1:5, this means that my gains from a 500 CNH deposit would multiply x5, to 2,500 CNH.

That said, leverage can also contribute to significant losses, so understand your broker’s margin requirements upfront and take a proactive approach to risk management.

Choose A Broker With Fast Execution

Successful day trading requires reliable order execution, ensuring that positions are filled quickly and at the desired price.

We examine brokers’ execution data where possible, including speeds (ideally meeting our <100-millisecond benchmark).

We also take into account latency and slippage rates – the measures of time delay and price difference per order executed, respectively.

Choose A Broker With Convenient Account Funding

You can usually open a day trading account with less than 250 USD (approximately 1,810 CNY), though some brokers let you sign up with no minimum.

Having access to convenient local payment methods can also help keep transaction costs and processing times down.

According to research by Adyen, 92% of Chinese consumers use Alipay and WeChat Pay as their primary funding methods, while Union Pay is a prominent card solution. These are offered by various day trading platforms, as firms look to attract Chinese traders.

FAQ

Who Regulates Day Trading Platforms In China?

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) regulates the financial markets in China, including participants like online trading platforms.

We recommend checking the latest rules and regulations from the Chinese government before choosing a broker, as there may be restrictions on using international platforms in certain instances.

Which Is The Best Broker That Accepts Day Traders In China?

See our list of the best day trading platforms in China to find a suitable option for your needs.

For example, Pepperstone offers a great range of Chinese markets, from CNH currency pairs to Chinese ETFs, while RoboForex is a top pick for those looking for hassle-free account funding using Chinese payment solutions like Alipay.

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