Which broker is better for Pakistan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Pakistan traders looking for a reliable forex broker face a choice between EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets, two international names that cater to retail clients seeking high leverage and Islamic accounts. While neither is regulated by the SECP, both accept Pakistan residents and offer local payment methods including JazzCash, Easypaisa, USDT TRC20, and Bank Transfer. EasyMarkets is known for its fixed spreads and risk-management tools like guaranteed stop-loss, appealing to cautious traders. Hantec Markets, with a slightly higher score of 3.6/5, focuses on tight spreads, faster execution, and a broader range of deposit options tailored to the Pakistani market. This comparison evaluates which broker better suits the needs of active retail traders in Pakistan, considering cost, platform accessibility, and Sharia-compliant trading features.
| 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 Pakistan traders, trading costs directly impact profitability, especially with high leverage. Hantec Markets offers variable spreads starting from 0.1 pips on major pairs with a commission on its Pro account, while its standard account has spreads from 0.8 pips and no commission. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads around 1.0–1.5 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. For high-frequency traders in Pakistan, Hantec's lower spreads reduce cost per trade. However, EasyMarkets' fixed spreads provide certainty, beneficial for budget-conscious traders. Volume scalpers will favor Hantec; casual traders may prefer EasyMarkets' 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, the industry standards popular in Pakistan for their stability and advanced charting. EasyMarkets also provides its proprietary web platform with simplified risk management tools. Hantec Markets focuses on MT4/5 with seamless mobile access, crucial for traders in Pakistan using smartphones. Hantec's platform supports one-click trading and multiple account management, while EasyMarkets' proprietary platform gives novice traders an easier entry. For Pakistan users, both platforms are reliable, but MT4/5's widespread use gives Hantec an edge for those migrating from other brokers.
| 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 |
Hantec Markets uses straight-through processing (STP) with no dealing desk, offering fast execution with minimal slippage, even during news events. This suits scalpers and high-frequency traders in Pakistan. EasyMarkets utilizes a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss, but execution may involve requotes during volatile periods. For Pakistan traders on typical internet connections, Hantec's execution is more reliable for fast-paced strategies, while EasyMarkets prioritizes predictability over speed.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Hantec Markets holds licenses from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Mauritius. Neither broker is regulated by the SECP, which means Pakistan traders rely on offshore licensing. The FCA license (Hantec) offers strong investor protection, while CySEC (EasyMarkets) provides negative balance protection. Pakistan traders should understand that local dispute resolution is limited, and choose based on the regulatory tier that aligns with their risk tolerance.
| 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 |
Pakistan traders can fund accounts using several local methods. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Deposits are usually credited instantly for cards and e-wallets, while bank transfers take 1–3 business days. Hantec Markets offers JazzCash, Easypaisa, USDT TRC20, and local bank transfers. JazzCash and Easypaisa deposits are processed within minutes, ideal for fast funding. Both brokers require PKR to be converted to USD/EUR at their exchange rates. Withdrawals are processed back to the same method; Hantec's support for JazzCash and Easypaisa withdrawals gives Pakistan traders quicker access to funds. USDT TRC20 is also available on both for crypto users. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets $100 (approx PKR 28,000), Hantec Markets $50 (approx PKR 14,000), making Hantec more accessible for smaller retail traders.
| 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 swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in Pakistan, complying with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. EasyMarkets provides Islamic accounts upon request, applicable to all account types. Hantec Markets automatically enables Islamic accounts on all accounts; traders simply need to contact support to remove swaps. Hantec's process is slightly more straightforward, and it allows Islamic accounts with higher leverage options (up to 400:1) suitable for Pakistan traders. EasyMarkets' Islamic accounts also permit high leverage up to 500:1. Both require no additional fees, but traders should verify that hedging and other features are permitted under their account terms.
| 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 offers 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English and Arabic speaking agents. Hantec Markets provides multilingual support through live chat, email, and phone, with extended hours that cover Pakistani time zones. Hantec's support is slightly more responsive based on user reviews, and it assists with local payment queries. Neither has a Pakistan-dedicated office, but both respond to queries in English. For Pakistan traders needing quick resolution on deposits via JazzCash, Hantec's support team is better equipped.
| 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 Pakistan traders, Hantec Markets earns the edge with its higher score (3.6 vs 3.4), tighter spreads, and seamless integration with local payment gateways like JazzCash and Easypaisa. The availability of USDT TRC20 and Bank Transfer further simplifies funding. While EasyMarkets offers strong risk-management tools and fixed spreads, its higher minimum deposit and lack of direct JazzCash/Easypaisa support make it less convenient for the average retail trader in Pakistan. Both provide Islamic accounts and high leverage, but Hantec's lower entry barrier and competitive spreads align better with active trading strategies. Given the absence of SECP regulation for both, traders should prioritize brokers that offer familiar local payment options and robust international licenses. Hantec Markets stands out as the practical choice for Pakistan's retail forex community in 2025.