Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore traders navigating the forex market often compare two established MAS-regulated brokers: Forex.com and Hantec Markets. Forex.com, a global giant with a 3.4/5 score, offers extensive research and institutional-grade execution, appealing to sophisticated investors in Singapore's financial hub. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, is a Hong Kong-headquartered broker with a strong focus on Asian markets, providing tight spreads and localised support. Both accept SGD deposits and support popular local payment methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, aligning with Singapore's digital payment ecosystem. However, their differences in trading costs, platform choice, and account types matter when selecting the best fit. This comparison breaks down key factors for Singapore traders, including MAS regulation, spreads on major pairs, deposit efficiency, and customer support tailored to the city-state's financial community.
| Instrument | Forex.com | 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 | $100 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For Singapore traders, trading costs heavily influence profitability. Hantec Markets typically offers tighter spreads on EUR/USD and USD/SGD, often from 0.6 pips on standard accounts, while Forex.com's standard account spreads start around 1.2 pips but drop to 0.2 pips on commission-based DMA accounts. Volume matters: high-frequency traders using SGD-denominated accounts benefit more from Foreoxom's raw spreads with a commission charge, whereas retail traders prefer Hantec's lower fixed spread model. Both brokers have no hidden fees for SGD deposits or withdrawals, but Forex.com’s inactivity fee after 12 months is a consideration for infrequent traders.
| Account Type | Forex.com | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 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 | Forex.com | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Forex.com offers its proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, and an advanced TradingView integration, ideal for sophisticated Singapore traders who need charting tools and automated trading. Hantec Markets provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus its own Hantec Trader platform optimised for mobile trading. For Singapore traders on the go, Hantec's mobile app supports PayNow deposits directly, while Forex.com's desktop platform excels in custom indicators. Both platforms support SGD as base currency, but Hantec's platforms include local market hours and Asian session analytics preferred by Singapore-based day traders.
| Factor | Forex.com | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Forex.com uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model with DMA on its MetaTrader platform, offering transparent fills and low slippage for major pairs, critical for Singapore scalpers. Hantec Markets operates a hybrid STP/ECN execution with price aggregation from multiple liquidity providers, resulting in average execution speed of under 50ms. Both brokers have no requotes and offer negative balance protection as per MAS rules. For Singapore traders trading during Asian hours, Hantec's execution is slightly more consistent due to its focus on Asian liquidity pools, while Forex.com's global access may provide better fills during overlapping London/New York sessions.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Forex.com and Hantec Markets are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), offering Singapore traders legal protection and segregation of client funds. Forex.com is also regulated by multiple tier-1 bodies (FCA, CFTC), adding an extra layer of security but not mandatory for Singapore compliance. Hantec Markets holds a MAS Capital Markets Services licence, ensuring adherence to Singapore's strict leverage limits (up to 1:50 for retail) and negative balance protection. Regulation wise both are safe, but Hantec's focused MAS licence means its operations are entirely aligned with Singapore's financial framework, while Forex.com's global regulation provides broader dispute resolution options.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 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 both accounts using PayNow, Bank Transfer (local SGD via FAST/GIRO), and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard). PayNow deposits are instant fee-free for both brokers, with Hantec Markets processing withdrawals back to PayNow within 1 business day. Forex.com offers similar speed but may take 2-3 days for bank transfers. Credit card deposits at Forex.com are limited to 2% of account equity per transaction, whereas Hantec Markets has no such restriction for Singapore Visa cards. For SGD withdrawals, both support bank transfer with no fees, but Hantec's minimum withdrawal is S$50 vs Forex.com's S$100. These differences make Hantec slightly more flexible for smaller Singapore accounts.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | 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 brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders, compliant with Sharia principles. Forex.com provides swap-free accounts on request for clients of Muslim faith, though some instruments (like cryptocurrencies) may still incur overnight adjustments. Hantec Markets explicitly offers Islamic accounts with zero swaps on all forex pairs and indices, and has a dedicated team handling Sharia compliance for Singapore clients. Traders must provide a declaration of faith during account opening. Hantec's simpler swap-free policy is a slight advantage for Singapore Muslim traders looking for transparent Sharia-compliant trading.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support for Singapore traders is available 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone from both brokers. Forex.com has a dedicated Asia-Pacific desk based in Singapore, offering support in English and Mandarin. Hantec Markets provides local Singapore phone support during market hours and a WhatsApp line for quick queries. Hantec slightly edges ahead with faster average response times (under 2 minutes for live chat) and a local office for physical visits, while Forex.com's support is more extensive for global issues but not necessarily faster for Singapore retail traders.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Forex.com | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Singapore traders, the choice between Forex.com and Hantec Markets depends on trading style and priorities. Hantec Markets' slightly higher score (3.6 vs 3.4) reflects its tailored offerings for local clients: tight spreads, swift PayNow deposits, and a MAS-focused licence. Forex.com remains strong for sophisticated investors needing institutional tools and global liquidity. Both brokers are safe under MAS regulation, but Hantec's lower withdrawal threshold and local support make it more accessible for retail Singapore traders. Ultimately, test both with a small SGD deposit using PayNow, trade a few lots, and see which execution and support align with your needs in Singapore's fast-paced financial hub.