Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Australian traders comparing FBS vs Hantec Markets in 2025 face a choice between two ASIC-regulated brokers with distinct strengths. FBS, scoring 3.7/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads starting at 0.1 pips and extensive local payment methods including BPAY and POLi, making it ideal for cost-conscious retail traders. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, offers a premium trading experience with no requotes, deeper liquidity, and a focus on professional-grade execution. Both brokers accept Australian clients under ASIC oversight, ensuring fund segregation and negative balance protection. For Australian traders trading major pairs like AUD/USD, the decision hinges on whether you prioritize spread costs (FBS) or execution quality (Hantec Markets). This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you choose.
| Instrument | FBS | 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 | $5 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
When comparing trading costs for Australian traders, FBS offers lower raw spreads on its ECN account (from 0.1 pips) with a commission of $6 per lot round turn. Hantec Markets provides spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, which can be more expensive for high-frequency scalpers. For a standard lot of AUD/USD, FBS costs approximately $10 in spread plus commission, while Hantec Markets costs $6 in spread alone. However, Hantec Markets' fixed spread model benefits traders who dislike variable spreads during news events. Australian traders trading 10+ lots daily will find FBS cheaper overall, while occasional traders may prefer Hantec Markets' simplicity.
| Account Type | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the industry standard for Australian traders. FBS also provides its proprietary FBS Trader app for mobile trading, which includes social trading features and one-click order placement. Hantec Markets focuses solely on MT4 and MT5 but offers advanced tools like Autochartist for technical analysis. For Australian traders who need VPS hosting for algorithmic trading, both brokers provide free VPS with minimum deposit requirements. FBS's platform range is slightly broader, appealing to traders who want mobile flexibility, while Hantec Markets' MT4/MT5 offering is stable and reliable for manual traders.
| Factor | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FBS uses a market execution model with no requotes on ECN accounts, offering average execution speeds of 30ms. Hantec Markets uses straight-through processing (STP) with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring no requotes and speeds under 20ms. For Australian traders trading volatile pairs like GBP/AUD, Hantec Markets provides marginally faster execution, reducing slippage risk. FBS's execution is reliable for most strategies but may experience slight delays during high volatility.
| Safety Factor | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FBS and Hantec Markets are regulated by ASIC, providing Australian traders with robust investor protection. FBS holds ASIC license number 425859, while Hantec Markets holds 416236. ASIC regulation ensures client funds are held in segregated trust accounts with Australian banks, negative balance protection, and access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for dispute resolution. For Australian traders, this means both brokers meet strict capital adequacy and reporting standards. However, FBS also operates under additional licenses in other jurisdictions, which may offer extra protection for international clients. Hantec Markets has a longer track record with ASIC since 2012, providing added trust for conservative traders.
| Payment Method | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
Australian traders can fund both FBS and Hantec Markets using BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit/debit cards in AUD. FBS supports a wider range including Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, while Hantec Markets focuses on traditional methods. Minimum deposits are $50 AUD for FBS and $100 AUD for Hantec Markets. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for both, with no broker fees. FBS offers instant withdrawals via e-wallets, while Hantec Markets processes all withdrawals via bank transfer. For Australian traders using BPAY, FBS credits instantly, whereas Hantec Markets takes up to 24 hours. POLi is available for both, allowing direct bank account funding without card details. Credit card deposits are accepted with no surcharge.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | 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 FBS and Hantec Markets offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Australian Muslim traders who comply with Sharia law. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Cent, ECN) with no swap fees on overnight positions. Hantec Markets offers Islamic accounts upon request for MT4 and MT5 platforms. FBS applies an administrative fee after holding positions for 30 days, while Hantec Markets charges after 3 days. For Australian traders, FBS is more accommodating for longer-term swing trading, while Hantec Markets suits short-term traders. Both brokers require a declaration of Muslim faith for eligibility. No minimum deposit difference exists for Islamic accounts versus standard accounts.
| Support Feature | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Australian phone number. Hantec Markets provides support during Sydney trading hours (8 AM to 6 PM AEST) via phone and email. FBS responds within 30 seconds on live chat, while Hantec Markets averages 2-3 minutes. For Australian traders, FBS's round-the-clock support is advantageous for overnight trading, while Hantec Markets' local hours suit day traders.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Australian traders in 2025, FBS edges out Hantec Markets with a 3.7 vs 3.6 score, primarily due to lower spreads and more flexible local payment methods like BPAY and POLi. FBS is the better choice for cost-sensitive scalpers and mobile traders, while Hantec Markets suits those who prioritize execution quality and a longer ASIC history. Both brokers are ASIC-regulated, offering fund segregation and negative balance protection. If you trade AUD pairs frequently and value low costs and instant deposits via BPAY, choose FBS. If you prefer no-commission trading and faster execution, Hantec Markets is a strong alternative. Ultimately, test both with a demo account to see which aligns with your trading style.