Which broker is better for Canada traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Canadian forex traders have no shortage of offshore brokers willing to accept their business, but choosing between EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets requires a close look at how each operates in the Canadian market. EasyMarkets carries a score of 3.4/5 and is known for its fixed spreads, risk-management tools like guaranteed stop-loss, and a proprietary web platform. Hantec Markets scores slightly higher at 3.6/5, offering access to MetaTrader 4, raw spreads on professional accounts, and long-established global regulation. Since neither broker holds an IIROC license, both operate in Canada on an international-exempt basis, meaning local traders must be comfortable relying on foreign regulators such as ASIC and the FCA. For Canadian retail traders, the decision often comes down to whether you prefer simplicity and predictable costs (EasyMarkets) or raw pricing and platform flexibility (Hantec Markets). Funding in CAD is straightforward at both, with support for Bank Transfer, Interac, and Credit Card deposits, which makes them accessible to Canadian traders regardless of their preferred payment method.
| 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 Canadian traders, trading costs can make the difference between a profitable strategy and one that leaks money. EasyMarkets keeps costs simple with fixed spreads starting at 1.0 pip on EUR/USD, which means you always know your breakeven point. Hantec Markets, meanwhile, offers variable spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Pro account, but adds a commission per lot. For a Canadian trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Hantec's raw pricing can reduce total costs by 20–30% compared to EasyMarkets. However, if you trade during low-liquidity hours or major economic announcements, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads protect you from the unpredictable widening that can hit Hantec's variable spreads. The 0.2 score gap between these brokers is largely driven by cost flexibility rather than outright superiority.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice matters for Canadian traders who rely on fast execution, charting tools, and automation. Hantec Markets offers MetaTrader 4, the industry standard, alongside a web trader and mobile apps, giving Canadian traders access to EA support and custom indicators. EasyMarkets takes a different approach with its proprietary web-based platform, which is cleaner and more intuitive for beginner traders, and it also offers MT4 access in some regions. For Canadian traders running algorithmic strategies or wanting to switch between desktop and mobile seamlessly, Hantec Markets is the stronger option. But if you value a user-friendly, no-download experience with innovative tools like DealCancellation, EasyMarkets is worth considering. Neither broker offers MT5, which is a minor drawback for advanced Canadian traders who prefer that platform.
| 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 speed and reliability are critical for Canadian traders who scalp or trade during major London/NY sessions. Hantec Markets uses low-latency a direct market access (DMA) model on its Pro accounts, with execution speeds consistently below 200ms on MetaTrader 4. EasyMarkets uses a hybrid model with instant execution on its web platform, which prioritizes order accuracy over raw speed. For Canadian traders, Hantec generally has better execution quality, especially during high-volatility events like Canadian CPI or Bank of Canada interest rate decisions. However, EasyMarkets offers guaranteed stop-loss orders that protect against slippage even in fast-moving markets, a feature no other Canadian-facing broker can match. If you value avoidance of slippage over millisecond speed, EasyMarkets' execution model has its own appeal.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for Canadian retail traders. EasyMarkets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while Hantec Markets holds an FCA license in the UK plus oversight from ASIC and the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius. Neither broker is regulated by IIROC in Canada, so your funds are not protected by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). This means Canadian traders must evaluate the strength of the home regulator. FCA regulation under Hantec Markets offers a higher tier of investor protection and compensation, which partially explains its better 3.6 score. For Canadian traders, accepting a non-IIROC broker is a personal decision that should be made after reading the account agreement and understanding how client funds are segregated.
| 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 in CAD is easy at both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets. Canadian traders can use Bank Transfer (wire transfer in CAD or USD), Credit Cards such as Visa and Mastercard, and Interac either through Interac Online or e-Transfer depending on the broker. EasyMarkets supports Interac e-Transfer directly from its client area, while Hantec Markets typically processes Interac Online and credit card deposits instantly. Withdrawals at both brokers follow the same source-of-funds rule: your money returns to the original payment method. Interac withdrawals are clocked within hours at EasyMarkets, while Hantec Markets usually completes card and Interac withdrawals within one business day. Bank transfers in CAD can take 1–3 business days and may carry intermediary fees, so we recommend Canadian traders use Interac or Credit Cards for both speed and convenience.
| 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 Canada, swap-free accounts are available at both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets. EasyMarkets offers an Islamic account that automatically removes all interest and swaps from overnight positions, and it integrates seamlessly with the broker's fixed-spread pricing model. Hantec Markets provides a swap-free facility as well, but Canadian traders should be aware that after holding positions for more than a few weeks, some swap-free accounts may incur an administrative fee. Both brokers require clients to self-certify that they are Muslim to activate the account. For Canadian traders, the choice comes down to platform and cost structure: EasyMarkets offers a simpler swap-free experience for beginners, while Hantec Markets gives you the same raw spreads on Islamic accounts as on standard Pro accounts.
| 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 |
Customer support can be a dealbreaker when your platform freezes or your withdrawal is delayed. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support, and Canadian traders generally report fast response times on chat. Hantec Markets also provides round-the-clock support on weekdays, with multilingual assistance that includes English and Chinese. For Canadian retail traders, both brokers deliver adequate support, but EasyMarkets has a slight edge in resolving technical account issues quickly through its in-house client portal. Hantec Markets, however, is more responsive during high-volume market hours because of its integrated MT4 server monitoring. No broker offers local Canadian phone support, so time zones can occasionally cause delay for west-coast traders.
| 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 Canadian retail traders, both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets are reliable offshore options, but they cater to different styles. EasyMarkets wins on simplicity, fixed pricing, and built-in risk tools like guaranteed stop-loss, making it ideal for part-time traders who value predictability. Hantec Markets is the better all-round performer with a 3.6 score, offering lower raw spreads, MT4 access, and stronger regulatory oversight. Since neither broker is IIROC-regulated, Canadian traders should weigh the lack of CIPF protection against the convenience of funding via Bank Transfer, Interac, or Credit Card in CAD. If you are a cost-driven Canadian trader who relies on technical analysis, Hantec Markets deserves your first deposit. If you are newer to trading and value fixed costs above all else, EasyMarkets is a safer, simpler start.