Which broker is better for France traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For French traders looking for a reliable online broker, comparing EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets is essential. Both brokers are well-established and accept French clients under ESMA-regulated frameworks, ensuring strong investor protection. EasyMarkets, founded in 2001, is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, while Hantec Markets, established in 2013, offers tighter spreads and a wider range of instruments. As a French trader, you benefit from local payment methods like SEPA, bank transfer, and PayPal, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. The French financial regulator AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) oversees all EU-based brokers, and both firms comply with ESMA rules, including leverage limits and negative balance protection. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading style, whether you prioritise simplicity and fixed costs or lower spreads and more asset classes. We will examine trading costs, platforms, regulation, deposits, Islamic accounts, and customer support, all tailored to the needs of France-based retail traders.
| 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 France traders, spread costs directly impact profitability, especially for frequent traders. Hantec Markets offers variable spreads starting at 0.8 pips on EUR/USD, while EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads from 1.5 pips. On a standard lot size of 100,000 units, the cost difference is significant: Hantec’s spread equates to around €7 per round turn, whereas EasyMarkets costs about €13. Over hundreds of trades, this adds up. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads offer predictability, which can be valuable during volatile news events. Hantec also charges lower commissions on certain account types, further reducing costs for high-volume traders. For French traders trading EUR-denominated pairs, both brokers convert fees transparently. Consider your trading volume and frequency when evaluating which cost structure suits you best.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| France (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and mobile apps, known for simplicity, one-click trading, and built-in risk management tools like DealCancellation and Freeze Rate. Hantec Markets offers the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely preferred by French traders for advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and custom indicators. For French traders who want a straightforward experience without learning curves, EasyMarkets is ideal. For those needing advanced analysis and algorithmic trading capabilities, Hantec’s MT4/MT5 suite is superior. Both platforms are available in French language and support local desktop and mobile usage.
| 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 is critical for French traders, especially those using scalping or EA strategies. EasyMarkets offers instant execution with no requotes, but its fixed spreads may widen during volatile market conditions. Hantec Markets uses variable spreads and supports both market execution and instant execution depending on the account type. Hantec reports average execution speeds under 30 milliseconds, ideal for fast-paced trading. For French traders who prioritise speed and minimal slippage, Hantec is better. EasyMarkets’ execution is reliable for slower strategies but may experience delays during high-impact news.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) under license 079/07, and by ASIC in Australia. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in the UK and the FSA in Japan. For French traders, the key is ESMA compliance: both brokers adhere to European leverage caps (max 30:1 for retail forex), negative balance protection, and standardised risk warnings. The AMF recognises these foreign regulators under the European passport system, so French clients have recourse to their respective compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS for Hantec’s FCA clients). Although neither broker is directly regulated by the AMF, they operate legally in France. Hantec’s FCA regulation may offer slightly higher compensation limits (up to £85,000) compared to EasyMarkets’ ICF up to €20,000. Always verify current protection details.
| 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 |
French traders can fund both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets using SEPA bank transfer, bank transfer, and PayPal, plus credit/debit cards. EasyMarkets has a minimum deposit of €100, while Hantec Markets requires €50. SEPA transfers are free for both brokers, though bank transfer fees may apply from the sender’s side. PayPal deposits are instant and usually free. Withdrawals: EasyMarkets processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days, with fees waived for bank transfers (but PayPal withdrawals may incur a 2% fee). Hantec Markets offers free withdrawals via bank transfer and e-wallets, typically processed within 1 day. For French traders, SEPA is the most convenient and cost-effective method, with Euro holdings avoiding conversion costs. Always check each broker’s latest terms for any minimum withdrawal thresholds.
| 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 France seeking Sharia-compliant accounts, both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets offer swap-free (Islamic) accounts. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts with no swap charges on overnight positions, available on request. Hantec Markets also offers swap-free accounts, but traders may incur a small administrative fee if positions are held for an extended period (e.g., over 10 days). French traders should review each broker’s policy carefully: EasyMarkets is more straightforward with no hidden fees, while Hantec’s terms may be less favourable for long-term positions. Both brokers require verification of the trader’s Muslim faith. Islamic accounts are subject to ESMA leverage rules, same as standard 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 is crucial for French traders, especially when dealing with account issues or technical problems. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support in multiple languages, including French. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with phone support during business hours. French language support is available from both brokers, but Hantec’s live chat response tends to be slightly slower during peak times. EasyMarkets also has an extensive FAQ in French. Overall, EasyMarkets edges ahead for French-speaking clients due to round-the-clock live chat 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 French retail traders, both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets are solid choices, but your final pick depends on your priorities. Hantec Markets scores higher overall (3.6 vs 3.4) due to tighter spreads, advanced platforms, and lower minimum deposit. It’s ideal for active traders who use EUR/USD pairs and want to minimise costs. EasyMarkets, with its score of 3.4, appeals to beginners or traders who value simplicity and fixed costs despite higher spreads. Both support local French payment methods like SEPA, bank transfer, and PayPal, ensuring convenient funding. Although neither is directly regulated by the AMF France, they comply with ESMA rules, offering negative balance protection and leverage limits. Hantec’s FCA regulation provides higher compensation, while EasyMarkets offers easier Islamic accounts. Consider your trading style, platform preference, and cost sensitivity. For most French traders seeking a balance of low cost and strong features, Hantec Markets is the recommended choice in 2025.