Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Philippines traders in 2026, choosing between FP Markets and Hantec Markets is a key decision. FP Markets, with a 4.7/5 rating, is a well-established broker known for its tight spreads, fast execution, and broad asset coverage. Hantec Markets, rated 3.6/5, is a smaller broker with a simpler offering. Both accept Philippines residents and support local payment methods like GCash, PayMaya, Bank Transfer, and USDT, but FP Markets offers more flexibility. Whether you are an OFW remittance investor or a mobile-first trader, understanding the differences in costs, platforms, and regulation is crucial. This comparison focuses on the specific needs of Filipino traders, including local deposit options, regulatory considerations with SEC Philippines, and trading conditions that matter most in the Philippines market.
| Instrument | FP Markets | 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 |
FP Markets offers lower trading costs for Philippines traders, with spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account (plus $3 commission per lot). Hantec Markets spreads start from 0.6 pips on standard accounts, with no commission but wider spreads. For active traders in the Philippines, especially those trading larger volumes like OFWs managing remittances, FP Markets is more cost-effective. A typical Filipino trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD would save around $30-50 with FP Markets compared to Hantec Markets. Additionally, FP Markets does not charge deposit fees for GCash or PayMaya, while Hantec Markets may impose bank transfer charges.
| Account Type | FP Markets | 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 | FP Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FP Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FP Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FP Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all fully optimized for mobile trading, which is ideal for mobile-first Filipino traders. Hantec Markets offers only MT4 and a basic web platform. For OFWs or traders on the go, FP Markets’ cTrader app offers advanced charting and one-click trading. Both platforms support Android and iOS, but FP Markets’ multi-platform choice gives it an edge. Filipino traders who value flexibility and advanced tools will prefer FP Markets.
| Factor | FP Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FP Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FP Markets uses ECN/STP execution with no dealing desk, offering average execution speeds of 40ms and low slippage. Hantec Markets also uses STP execution but with slightly slower speeds (around 100ms). For active traders in the Philippines, FP Markets’ faster execution reduces slippage on volatile markets like gold or USD pairs. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, but FP Markets’ execution quality is superior.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets is regulated by the FSCA (South Africa), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia). Hantec Markets is regulated by the VFSC (Vanuatu) and FSA (St. Vincent and the Grenadines). Neither broker is directly regulated by the SEC Philippines, but both accept Filipino clients. FP Markets’ multi-regulator oversight offers stronger client protection, including negative balance protection and segregated accounts. For Philippines traders, this means FP Markets provides a more secure trading environment, though both brokers require compliance with local tax laws.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
FP Markets supports multiple local payment methods for Philippines traders: GCash, PayMaya, Bank Transfer (BPI, BDO, Metrobank), and USDT (Tether). Minimum deposit is $50 (approx. PHP 2,800). Deposits via GCash and PayMaya are instant and fee-free. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets. Hantec Markets mainly offers Bank Transfer and credit/debit cards, with limited local e-wallet support. For mobile-first Filipino traders, FP Markets is far more convenient, allowing instant funding via GCash or PayMaya. USDT deposits are also available on FP Markets, which is useful for crypto-savvy traders in the Philippines.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | 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 FP Markets and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in the Philippines. FP Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types (Standard, Raw, and cTrader). Hantec Markets also offers them upon request, but only on standard accounts. For Filipino Muslim traders who need Sharia-compliant trading, FP Markets offers more flexibility with account types. Both brokers ensure no swap or interest is charged on overnight positions, making them suitable for Islamic traders.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FP Markets |
FP Markets offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with fast response times. Hantec Markets provides email and phone support during business hours, with limited live chat. For Philippines traders, FP Markets’ 24/5 support is more accessible, especially for OFWs in different time zones. Both brokers offer support in English, but FP Markets’ quicker response is a clear advantage.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FP Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FP Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FP Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FP Markets |
Choose FP Markets if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Philippines traders in 2026, FP Markets is the clear winner. With a 4.7/5 rating, lower spreads, faster execution, and support for local payments like GCash, PayMaya, Bank Transfer, and USDT, it outperforms Hantec Markets (3.6/5) on every key metric. FP Markets’ multi-platform choice (MT4, MT5, cTrader) suits mobile-first Filipino traders and OFW remittance investors. While both brokers are not regulated by SEC Philippines, FP Markets’ stronger regulatory oversight offers better protection. Choose FP Markets for cost-effective, flexible, and convenient trading tailored to the Philippines market.