Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Singapore traders navigating the forex market, choosing between FBS and Hantec Markets involves weighing accessibility against regulatory depth. FBS, scoring 3.7/5, is a global broker popular for its low entry barriers and diverse account types, making it a go-to for retail traders in Singapore who want to start with minimal capital. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, is a UK-based broker with a strong institutional heritage, offering tighter spreads and higher leverage for experienced traders. Both brokers accept Singapore clients and support local payment methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, but they differ significantly in regulation—FBS is regulated by IFSC Belize, while Hantec Markets holds FCA and ASIC licenses. For Singapore’s sophisticated investors and financial hub traders, this comparison focuses on spreads, deposit speed, Islamic accounts, and MAS-related considerations to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and risk appetite.
| 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 trading in Singapore, cost efficiency is critical. FBS offers spreads from 0.5 pips on its Zero Spread account with a $6 commission per lot, while its Standard account has spreads from 1.2 pips with no commission. Hantec Markets’ Raw Account starts from 0.0 pips with a $7 commission per lot, and its Standard Account from 1.0 pips with no commission. For a Singapore trader executing 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD, Hantec Markets’ Raw Account saves approximately $20 compared to FBS’s Zero Spread account. However, FBS’s lower minimum deposit ($10 vs $100) makes it more accessible for smaller traders. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates for SGD pairs, but Hantec Markets edges ahead for high-volume scalpers.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary FBS Trader app, offering flexibility for Singapore traders who prefer mobile trading or advanced charting. Hantec Markets also offers MT4 and MT5, plus the cTrader platform, which is popular among algorithmic traders for its depth of market and fast execution. For Singapore traders, cTrader’s advanced order types and custom indicators are a strong advantage for sophisticated strategies. Both brokers provide VPS hosting for EA traders, but Hantec Markets’ cTrader integration gives it an edge for high-frequency trading. FBS’s mobile app is more user-friendly for beginners, while Hantec Markets’ platform suite suits experienced 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 executes trades via NDD (No Dealing Desk) with an average execution speed of 0.3 seconds, suitable for most retail strategies. Hantec Markets offers institutional-grade execution with sub-0.1 second speeds and deeper liquidity pools, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. For Singapore traders trading major pairs like USD/SGD, Hantec Markets’ lower slippage and faster fills provide a clear advantage. FBS’s execution is reliable but may experience higher slippage during volatile news events.
| Safety Factor | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Singapore traders, given MAS’s strict oversight of local brokers. FBS is regulated by IFSC (Belize), which offers limited investor protection compared to Tier-1 regulators. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), providing stronger safeguards such as negative balance protection and segregation of client funds. Neither broker holds a MAS license, meaning Singapore traders do not have access to MAS’s dispute resolution mechanisms. For sophisticated investors in Singapore who prioritise regulatory security, Hantec Markets’ FCA regulation offers greater peace of mind. FBS, however, compensates with a larger client base and faster deposit processing.
| 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 |
Singapore traders can fund their accounts using PayNow, Bank Transfer, or Credit Card at both FBS and Hantec Markets. FBS supports instant deposits via PayNow and credit cards with no fees, and a minimum deposit of just $10 USD. Bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Hantec Markets also accepts PayNow and credit cards, with a minimum deposit of $100 USD, and bank transfers are processed within 1-2 business days. Withdrawals: FBS processes withdrawals within 24 hours, with PayNow being the fastest option for SGD. Hantec Markets takes 1-2 business days for withdrawals, with no fees on bank transfers. For Singapore traders, FBS’s lower minimum deposit and faster PayNow withdrawals make it more convenient for smaller accounts, while Hantec Markets suits those depositing larger sums.
| 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 Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. FBS provides swap-free status on all account types, including Standard, Cent, and Zero Spread accounts, with no expiry period. Hantec Markets offers Islamic accounts for Raw and Standard accounts, but requires a request via support. No additional fees are charged for swap-free accounts at either broker, but FBS may apply an administrative charge if positions are held for more than 10 days. For Singapore traders, FBS’s automatic Islamic account option is more straightforward, while Hantec Markets’ manual approval process may be less convenient. Both brokers ensure no interest is earned or paid on overnight positions.
| 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 Singapore contact number. Response times average under 2 minutes. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support (Monday to Friday) via live chat and email, with phone support during UK business hours. For Singapore traders, FBS’s 24/7 availability and faster response times are advantageous for after-hours trading. Hantec Markets’ support is professional but limited to market hours, which may be a drawback for active 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 Singapore traders, the choice between FBS and Hantec Markets hinges on your trading profile. FBS wins on accessibility with its $10 minimum deposit, instant PayNow deposits, and 24/7 support, making it ideal for retail traders and those new to forex. Hantec Markets excels in execution quality, tighter spreads, and stronger regulation (FCA/ASIC), suiting sophisticated investors and high-volume traders in Singapore’s financial hub. Both brokers support local payment methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, and offer Islamic accounts. However, neither is MAS-regulated, so Singapore traders should assess their risk tolerance. For cost-sensitive scalpers, Hantec Markets’ Raw Account is superior; for convenience and low entry, FBS is the better choice. Final verdict: FBS for retail, Hantec Markets for institutional-grade trading.