Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Norwegian retail traders, choosing between EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets involves weighing simplicity versus flexibility. EasyMarkets (score 3.4/5) is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, making it ideal for beginners. Hantec Markets (score 3.6/5) offers a broader range of instruments, lower floating spreads, and advanced trading tools. Both brokers accept deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, which are popular among Norwegians. However, as neither is regulated by the local financial regulator (Finanstilsynet), traders should conduct due diligence. This comparison covers trading costs, platforms, regulation, and payment methods specifically for Norway.
| 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 Norway traders, trading costs are a key factor. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads (e.g., 1.0–1.5 pips on EUR/USD), which are predictable but higher than variable spreads. Hantec Markets offers floating spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission per lot, appealing to frequent traders. For example, a Norwegian trading 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD would pay roughly $150 with EasyMarkets versus $50–70 with Hantec Markets (including commission). The volume impact is clear: Hantec Markets rewards active traders, while EasyMarkets suits those who prefer cost certainty.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Norwegian traders need reliable platforms. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which are intuitive but lack advanced charting. Hantec Markets offers MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are widely used by Norwegian traders for their custom indicators, automated trading, and multiple timeframes. For retail traders who value depth, Hantec Markets is superior; for simplicity, EasyMarkets wins. Both platforms offer Norwegian language support and mobile trading.
| 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 market execution with no requotes, but slippage can occur on volatile markets. Hantec Markets offers ECN-like execution with low latency and deep liquidity, resulting in faster fills and fewer rejections. For Norwegian traders trading during active hours, Hantec Markets provides more consistent execution, while EasyMarkets is adequate for standard retail strategies.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither EasyMarkets nor Hantec Markets is regulated by the local financial regulator (Finanstilsynet), which oversees Norwegian forex brokers. However, both hold licenses from other reputable bodies: EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia); Hantec Markets is regulated by FCA (UK) and FSA (Japan). For Norway traders, this means less protection under local investor compensation schemes, but both brokers adhere to strict international standards. Always check your legal status when trading with non-Norwegian brokers.
| 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 |
Norwegian traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. EasyMarkets also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal; Hantec Markets adds credit/debit cards. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets requires $100, Hantec Markets $250. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 days for bank transfer. USDT TRC20 deposits are particularly fast and have low fees, appealing to crypto-savvy Norwegians. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank fees may apply on the customer side.
| 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 Norwegian Muslim traders seeking swap-free accounts, both brokers offer Islamic accounts. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts automatically with no swap charges on all instruments, including forex and commodities. Hantec Markets offers swap-free accounts upon request, but they may exclude certain instruments like indices and cryptocurrencies. Norwegian traders should confirm the conditions: EasyMarkets has a 30-day grace period before any dormant fee; Hantec Markets has no such fee. Both hold no interest on overnight positions, aligning with Sharia law.
| 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 for Norwegian traders is offered in English at both brokers. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with a reputation for quick responses. Hantec Markets also offers 24/5 support via live chat and phone, plus a multi-language team. Neither broker offers Norwegian-language support, which may be a drawback. Response times are similar, averaging under 30 seconds for chat.
| 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 Norwegian retail traders, the choice depends on trading style. Hantec Markets (3.6/5) edges out EasyMarkets (3.4/5) for active traders due to lower variable spreads, MT4/5 platforms, and strong regulation. However, EasyMarkets is ideal for beginners and those seeking cost certainty with fixed spreads. Both support deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, catering to Norwegian preferences. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, both maintain reputable licenses. Consider your trading volume and feature needs before deciding.