Which broker is better for Saudi Arabia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Saudi Arabian traders evaluating their forex broker options, EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets represent two distinct approaches. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its user-friendly platform and fixed spreads, making it a favorite among beginners and risk-averse traders. Hantec Markets, scoring higher at 3.6/5, caters to more experienced high-net-worth individuals with tighter variable spreads and deeper liquidity. Both platforms accept Saudi Riyal deposits via Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card – crucial for local convenience. Islamic accounts are available for Muslim traders in the Kingdom. While neither is directly regulated by the CMA Saudi, both operate under established international regulators, offering a level of security. This comparison dives into trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment specifics to help you decide which broker fits your Saudi trading style.
| 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 Saudi traders, spreads directly impact profitability. EasyMarkets uses fixed spreads starting from 1.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, which can be 0.5–1 pip higher than Hantec Markets' variable spreads starting at 0.2 pips. On a standard lot of 100,000 units, Hantec Markets could save you $30–$90 per trade compared to EasyMarkets. For high-volume Saudi traders executing many transactions, Hantec Markets becomes more cost-effective. However, EasyMarkets charges no commission on most accounts, while Hantec Markets has a low commission per lot on its Raw Spread account. Both brokers are transparent about fees, and neither imposes extra charges on STC Pay or Bank Transfer deposits.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (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 app, both optimized for quick execution and simplicity. It includes risk management tools like “Deal Cancellation” which can benefit traders in volatile Middle Eastern markets. Hantec Markets offers the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, known for advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. For Saudi traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic strategies, Hantec Markets is the better choice. However, those who prefer a streamlined, beginner-friendly interface will appreciate EasyMarkets. Both platforms are fully available on mobile, supporting fast trade execution across Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities.
| 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 speed matters for Saudi traders trading volatile currency pairs. EasyMarkets uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average fill speed of 100-150 milliseconds. Hantec Markets also employs NDD execution through its MT4 bridge, with speeds under 100 milliseconds. For scalpers and day traders in Saudi Arabia, Hantec Markets’ liquidity providers offer deeper order book fills, reducing slippage. Both brokers have no requotes, but Hantec Markets has a slight edge in consistency during major news events.
| 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 Capital Market Authority (CMA) of Saudi Arabia, but both hold licenses from reputable international bodies. EasyMarkets is regulated by the CySEC (Cyprus) and FSC (British Virgin Islands), while Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and FSA (Japan). For Saudi traders, this means client funds are held in segregated accounts with negative balance protection. While CMA oversight would offer stronger local recourse, these international regulations are widely accepted in the region. Always verify the specific entity you are opening an account with – for example, Hantec Markets’ FCA regulation provides one of the highest investor protections among offshore 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 |
Depositing funds is straightforward for Saudi Arabian clients at both brokers. They accept Bank Transfer (SAR), STC Pay, and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). EasyMarkets processes STC Pay and credit card deposits instantly, with no fees; Bank Transfers take 1–3 days. Withdrawals are free via STC Pay and Credit Card, but EasyMarkets may charge a small fee for wire transfers. Hantec Markets offers similar deposit methods: STC Pay for instant transactions, credit cards, and bank wires. Withdrawals at Hantec Markets are free for most methods and processed within 24 hours. Both brokers require KYC documentation (national ID or Iqama). For large deposits from high-net-worth traders, bank transfer remains the most reliable method at both brokers.
| 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 |
Islamic (swap-free) accounts are critical for Saudi Muslim traders who must avoid interest (riba). Both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets offer swap-free accounts that comply with Sharia law. EasyMarkets requires clients to request activation of an Islamic account via customer support, and they confirm eligibility based on location. Hantec Markets provides Islamic accounts automatically for clients from predominantly Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia. Neither broker charges extra fees for swap-free accounts, but long-held positions may incur administrative charges after a certain period (e.g., 90 days). For Saudi traders trading with religious compliance in mind, both options are suitable, but Hantec Markets offers a more streamlined activation process.
| 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 Saudi traders dealing with time zone differences. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with Arabic language options during business hours. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support via live chat, phone, and email, also with Arabic-speaking agents. Both respond within minutes on chat. However, Hantec Markets’ support team has slightly higher satisfaction ratings for handling complex account issues. EasyMarkets is known for quick onboarding assistance.
| 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 Saudi Arabian traders, both EasyMarkets and Hantec Markets are solid choices, but they serve different needs. Hantec Markets’ higher rating (3.6/5) and tighter spreads make it the better pick for active, high-volume traders who rely on MT4 and need cost efficiency. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) shines for beginners and those who value fixed costs and simplicity. Both support Islamic accounts, accept Bank Transfer, STC Pay, and Credit Card in SAR, and operate under international regulations. If CMA regulation were mandatory, neither qualifies, but for practical trading in Saudi Arabia, either can work. Ultimately, choose Hantec Markets for performance, and EasyMarkets for ease of use.