Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Italian forex traders comparing EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets face a choice between simplicity and cost efficiency. Both brokers are CySEC-regulated and welcome Italian clients, offering EUR accounts, local payment methods like SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PostePay, and support for retail traders. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is known for its user-friendly web platform, fixed spreads, and zero-commission trading, making it ideal for beginners. Hantec Markets (score 3.6/5) appeals to more active traders with Raw accounts featuring spreads from 0.0 pips, a larger asset selection, and MetaTrader 4 compatibility. For Italian traders, regulatory alignment with CONSOB rules and euro-denominated accounts simplify operations. This comparison examines costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you decide which broker suits your trading style in 2025.
| 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 |
Italian traders will pay different costs depending on the account type. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads (e.g., EUR/USD around 1.8 pips) with no commission, ideal for those who prefer predictable costs. Hantec Markets offers a Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $7 round-turn commission per lot, which is cheaper for high-volume traders. For example, trading 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD, Hantec’s total cost is about $70 vs EasyMarkets’ $180 in spread costs. Overnight swap rates also differ; Hantec applies market-based swaps, while EasyMarkets charges slightly higher. Italian scalpers and day traders benefit more from Hantec’s lower spreads, while swing traders may find EasyMarkets’ fixed model reassuring.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 offers its proprietary web-based platform with a clean design, one-click trading, and integrated risk management tools like deal cancellation and negative balance protection. It requires no download and works well on mobile for Italian traders who trade on the go. Hantec Markets provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for desktop, web, and mobile, including advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. While EasyMarkets is simpler, Hantec’s MT4 gives Italian traders more flexibility and access to a global community of trading tools. Both platforms are available in Italian, but Hantec’s platform is better for experienced retail traders.
| 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 |
EasyMarkets uses an A-book model combined with market maker execution, providing instant executions with no requotes on its proprietary platform. However, during volatile events, execution may slip. Hantec Markets offers ECN/STP execution on MT4, routing orders directly to liquidity providers for fast, transparent fills with low latency. Italian scalpers and news traders will prefer Hantec’s execution speed and minimal slippage. EasyMarkets is sufficient for casual traders who value simplicity over raw execution quality.
| 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 the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which allows them to provide services across the EU under MiFID II, including Italy. They must comply with CONSOB’s retail client protection rules, such as negative balance protection and leverage limits (max 1:30 for major forex). EasyMarkets has additional oversight from the FSA (Seychelles) for international clients, but for Italian traders, CySEC regulation ensures adherence to ESMA standards. Client funds are held in segregated accounts, and both brokers participate in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000. Italian traders can trade with confidence knowing both are subject to strict European oversight.
| 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 |
Italian traders have convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports SEPA transfers (instant and free in EUR), Bank Transfer (1–3 days), and PostePay via partnered payment processors (e.g., iDebit or Skrill). The minimum deposit is €100, with withdrawals processed within 1–3 business days. Hantec Markets also accepts SEPA (free), Bank Transfer, and PostePay through third-party services like Neteller, with a lower minimum deposit of €50. Withdrawals are free and typically processed within 24 hours. Both brokers have no deposit fees, but bank transfer fees may apply from Italian banks. For fastest funding, SEPA is recommended. Italian users should verify that their PostePay card is enabled for online payments; both brokers accept it.
| 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 |
Both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts to Muslim traders in Italy who need Sharia-compliant trading. EasyMarkets provides a straightforward application process – simply contact support and request the conversion. No swap fees are charged on overnight positions, though the broker may cap the account type or restrict certain instruments. Hantec Markets also offers swap-free accounts upon request, with similar conditions. Italian Muslim traders should compare the broker’s policies on long-term holding: Hantec may apply administrative fees on positions held beyond 10 days, while EasyMarkets is more flexible. Both comply with Islamic principles of no interest. Traders must verify eligibility before opening.
| 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 |
EasyMarkets provides 24/5 customer support in Italian via live chat, email, and phone. Their response time is fast, and the staff is knowledgeable about Italian trader needs. Hantec Markets offers 24/5 support in English and Italian, with live chat, email, and a callback service. While both offer Italian-language assistance, EasyMarkets has a slight edge in accessibility and speed, while Hantec’s support team is more technical. Italian traders can expect professional help with account issues, platform questions, and payment queries from both brokers.
| 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 Italian retail traders in 2025, Hantec Markets (score 3.6) narrowly beats EasyMarkets (3.4) due to its lower trading costs and superior MT4 platform. Hantec’s Raw account offers spreads from 0.0 pips, which is ideal for active traders, while its support for SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PostePay ensures hassle-free deposits in euros. EasyMarkets, however, remains a strong choice for beginners who want a simple, all-in-one platform with fixed costs and robust risk management. Both are CONSOB-compliant and CySEC-regulated, providing security for Italian clients. Ultimately, Hantec Markets is the better pick for cost-conscious traders, while EasyMarkets suits those who prioritize ease of use. Consider your trading volume and experience before deciding.