Which broker is better for Papua New Guinea traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Papua New Guinea forex traders looking for a reliable broker face a choice between EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets. Both brokers accept clients from PNG and offer local-friendly deposit methods: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets, with a Trustpilot score of 4.2 and a 3.4/5 rating, is known for its fixed spreads and user-friendly platforms like TradingView and MT4. Hantec Markets, rated 3.6/5, provides variable spreads from 0.1 pips, MT5 support, and a broader asset selection including over 1,000 CFDs. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator (Bank of Papua New Guinea), both hold licenses from top-tier authorities like ASIC and FCA. PNG traders must consider their own risk tolerance, trading style, and need for local payment options when choosing between these two. This comparison breaks down every aspect relevant to Papua New Guinea residents.
| 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 Papua New Guinea traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. Hantec Markets offers variable spreads starting from 0.1 pips on its Raw account with a $6 commission per lot, making it cheaper for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads (e.g., 1.2 pips on EUR/USD) with no commission, ideal for those who want predictable costs. When trading 10 standard lots per month, Hantec Markets can save you $100–200 in spreads, but EasyMarkets’ fixed model protects against volatility during PNG news events like Kina depreciation. The local currency pair PGK/USD is not offered by either broker, so costs are based on USD-denominated instruments.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea (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 (MT4) and WebTrader. EasyMarkets also provides its proprietary web platform and TradingView integration, useful for PNG traders who rely on advanced charting and social trading tools. Hantec Markets supports MT5, which offers more timeframes and analytical tools than MT4. For mobile trading, both have robust apps. PNG traders with limited internet access will appreciate EasyMarkets’ web-based platform, which works smoothly even on slower connections. Hantec’s MT5 is better for algorithmic traders who need MQL5 scripting.
| 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 offers instant execution with no requotes on fixed spreads, suitable for news trading. Hantec Markets uses ECN/STP execution with variable spreads, which can widen during high volatility but offers deeper liquidity. For PNG traders, Hantec’s execution is faster under normal conditions (under 100ms), while EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads avoid slippage surprises. Both brokers offer no dealing desk (NDD) models.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Hantec Markets holds licenses from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the FSA of SVG. Neither broker is regulated by Papua New Guinea’s local financial regulator, the Bank of Papua New Guinea. This means PNG traders are not covered by local investor compensation schemes. However, ASIC and FCA regulations provide robust client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Traders should verify the current licensing status and understand that dispute resolution must go through international channels.
| 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 |
Papua New Guinea traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with both brokers. EasyMarkets also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, while Hantec Markets adds credit/debit cards and Chinese payment methods. Minimum deposits: $25 for EasyMarkets, $50 for Hantec Markets. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed in under 10 minutes with no fees – a huge advantage for PNG users avoiding bank delays. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. EasyMarkets charges no withdrawal fees, but Hantec Markets may apply a small fee for bank wire transfers. Both brokers verify documents before first withdrawal, so PNG traders should have ID and proof of address ready.
| 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 for Muslim traders in Papua New Guinea who follow Sharia law. EasyMarkets’ swap-free accounts apply an administration fee on positions held beyond one day, which can be a drawback for long-term traders. Hantec Markets provides fully swap-free conditions with no extra charges on most instruments, though some commodities still incur a small fee. Account requests for Islamic accounts are straightforward: contact support or select the option during registration. These accounts still offer full access to all deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20.
| 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 live chat, phone support, and email in English. Their website has a detailed FAQ and educational section. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, WhatsApp, and phone, with extended hours on weekends for urgent queries. For Papua New Guinea traders, time zone difference is minimal (UTC+10/+11). Both respond within minutes via chat. Hantec Markets’ WhatsApp support is a plus for mobile-first users. EasyMarkets’ support team is known for helping with account issues quickly.
| 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 Papua New Guinea traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets comes down to trading style. Hantec Markets edges ahead with a higher rating (3.6 vs 3.4), lower spreads, and a broader range of assets. Its support for MT5 and Islamic accounts with no hidden fees also appeals to a wider audience. However, EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads and low $25 minimum deposit make it a safer starting point for beginners. Both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring easy deposits for PNG residents. Neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, so traders must rely on international oversight. If you prioritize cost efficiency and variety, Hantec is your best pick. If predictability and simplicity matter more, go with EasyMarkets.