Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When choosing a forex broker in Australia, ASIC regulation is non-negotiable for experienced traders who value transparency and investor protection. EasyMarkets (overall score 3.4/5) and Hantec Markets (3.6/5) are two established brokers that hold Australian Financial Services licences, allowing them to legally serve Australian clients under strict leverage and client money rules. Both accept AUD deposits via local payment methods such as BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card—a major convenience for Australia traders. However, their offerings differ significantly in trading costs, platform features, and account flexibility. EasyMarkets appeals to traders who want fixed spreads and a simple, all-in-one platform with a unique deal cancellation tool. Hantec Markets, on the other hand, attracts experienced traders with its competitive raw spreads, deeper liquidity, and MetaTrader 4/5 integration. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your Australian trading style, whether you are a scalper, swing trader, or long-term investor.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Hantec Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Hantec Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Hantec Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Hantec Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For Australia traders, trading costs are critical given the AUD-base and volatility of currency pairs. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads—typically 1.2 pips on EUR/USD—which provides predictability but is higher than the industry average for raw spreads. Hantec Markets offers raw spreads from 0.2 pips with a small commission per lot (AUD 7 round turn), making it far more cost-effective for high-volume traders. On a 10-lot trade, EasyMarkets would cost roughly AUD 120 in spread (at 1.2 pips), while Hantec Markets would cost about AUD 20 spread plus AUD 70 commission, saving AUD 30. Scalpers and day traders who execute multiple trades per day will find Hantec Markets significantly cheaper, while occasional traders may prefer EasyMarkets' fixed spread simplicity.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Australia traders need platforms that offer reliable charting, fast execution, and compatibility with local internet speeds. EasyMarkets provides its own web-based platform and a mobile app, which are user-friendly but limited in advanced tools like custom indicators or algorithmic trading. Hantec Markets supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 across desktop, web, and mobile, giving experienced traders access to Expert Advisors (EAs), depth of market, and advanced charting. For Australia traders who use automated strategies or need full control over their analysis, Hantec Markets is the clear winner. EasyMarkets' platform is better suited for beginners or traders who prefer a streamlined, no-fuss experience.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality matters for scalpers and news traders. EasyMarkets uses its own dealing desk and offers fixed spreads with no requotes, but execution is not as fast as ECN models. Hantec Markets offers straight-through processing (STP) via its raw spread accounts, providing faster execution with minimal slippage. Hantec Markets also supports depth of market and VPS for algorithmic traders. For Australia traders who prioritise speed and market depth, Hantec Markets is superior. EasyMarkets is acceptable for lower-frequency trading where execution speed is less critical.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets are regulated by ASIC, which is one of the strictest regulators globally. For Australia traders, this means the broker must hold client money in segregated trusts accounts, adhere to leverage caps (usually 1:30 for majors), and provide negative balance protection. EasyMarkets holds an AFS licence (number 246566) and is also regulated in Cyprus, while Hantec Markets holds AFS licence 403322. Both brokers must comply with ASIC’s product intervention orders that limit CFD leverage for retail clients. This regulatory environment gives Australian traders peace of mind but also limits the aggressive trading conditions sometimes found with offshore brokers. If you are an experienced trader seeking higher leverage, neither ASIC broker offers it; you would need to consider a professional client upgrade under strict criteria.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
Funding your trading account from Australia is straightforward with both brokers, thanks to support for BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). EasyMarkets allows a minimum deposit of AUD 150 equivalent (USD 100) and processes deposits instantly via POLi and BPAY. Hantec Markets requires a higher minimum deposit of AUD 500 and also supports instant AUD deposits through POLi and BPAY. Bank transfers are free on both but take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days back to the same method, though credit card withdrawals may have limits. Hantec Markets does not charge internal fees for withdrawals, while EasyMarkets may apply a fee after a certain number of free withdrawals per month. For active Australian traders, Hantec Markets offers more flexible withdrawal options with no monthly limit.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Hantec 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 |
For Muslim traders in Australia who require swap-free accounts, both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets offers indefinite swap-free status upon request, with no additional fees or time limitations. Hantec Markets also provides a swap-free account, but it is limited to 90 days of consecutive holding, after which the account requires re-funding to reset the period. Both require the account to be opened by contacting support and are available on standard account types. EasyMarkets is more accommodating for long-term position traders who hold overnight positions, while Hantec Markets' 90-day limit may be less restrictive for short-term traders who close positions frequently.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Australian traders expect responsive support during Sydney business hours. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with an Australian phone number (1800 number). Hantec Markets also provides 24/5 support via live chat and phone, with an Australian local number. Both brokers support English well. EasyMarkets averages a 30-second response time on chat, while Hantec Markets is slightly slower at around 1 minute. For Australia traders, the difference is marginal, but EasyMarkets has a slight edge in real-time availability.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For experienced Australia traders who need ASIC regulation and local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, Hantec Markets (score 3.6) is the better choice overall. Its raw spreads, MT4/5 platforms, and lower trading costs make it ideal for active and professional traders. EasyMarkets (score 3.4) remains a strong alternative for those who want fixed spreads, a beginner-friendly platform, and unique risk-management features. However, given the higher score and greater flexibility for experienced traders, Hantec Markets edges ahead. Both brokers are fully compliant with ASIC requirements, ensuring your AUD funds are segregated and protected. Choose based on whether you prioritise cost efficiency and platform power (Hantec) or simplicity and fixed costs (EasyMarkets).