Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Romania's trading community is growing rapidly, with more retail traders seeking reliable forex brokers that offer local payment methods and competitive conditions. FP Markets (rated 4.7/5) and Hantec Markets (rated 3.6/5) are two brokers available to Romanian residents, but they differ significantly in features, costs, and suitability. FP Markets is known for its low spreads, extensive platform choice (MT4, MT5, cTrader), and support for Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill deposits. Hantec Markets, a UK-based broker with FCA regulation, offers a more traditional trading environment with fewer instruments and higher minimum deposits. For Romania traders, choosing between them depends on trading style, budget, and preference for local payment flexibility. This comparison examines key factors like spreads, regulation, deposit methods, and customer support to help you decide which broker fits your needs in 2026.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Romania traders, FP Markets clearly outperforms Hantec Markets. FP Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw account with a commission of $3 per lot per side, while its Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. Hantec Markets typically provides spreads from 0.5 pips on its main accounts, with no commission but wider spreads overall. For a Romania trader trading 10 lots of EUR/USD per month, FP Markets can save up to $50-100 in spread costs compared to Hantec Markets. The difference is even larger for traders focusing on major pairs like EUR/RON or GBP/USD. FP Markets also offers lower swap rates, which benefits traders holding positions overnight.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (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 Romania traders with a choice of MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all available in Romanian language and with advanced charting tools. Hantec Markets only offers MetaTrader 4, which is popular but more limited. For Romania traders who value algorithmic trading or multi-asset analysis, FP Markets' MT5 and cTrader options are superior. Both brokers support mobile trading, but FP Markets has a more intuitive app interface. The platform variety at FP Markets gives traders flexibility to choose based on their experience level and trading strategy.
| 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 provides fast execution with an average speed of 40ms, using Straight Through Processing (STP) and Electronic Communication Network (ECN) technology. Hantec Markets also offers STP execution but with slightly higher latency (around 60ms). For Romania traders trading volatile markets like EUR/RON, FP Markets' lower slippage and faster order fills reduce trading costs and improve trade accuracy.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FP Markets nor Hantec Markets is regulated by ASF Romania, which means Romania traders are not protected by the local investor compensation fund. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), offering negative balance protection and client fund segregation. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and FSA (Japan), providing strong regulatory oversight but with less flexibility for international clients. For Romania traders, FP Markets' CySEC regulation under MiFID II ensures some EU-level protections, while Hantec's FCA regulation is highly respected but may involve higher leverage restrictions. Both brokers are considered safe, but traders should be aware of the lack of ASF direct supervision.
| 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 |
Romania traders can deposit and withdraw funds at FP Markets using Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill, with most deposits processed instantly and no fees from the broker. The minimum deposit is $100 (or equivalent in RON via Bank Transfer). Hantec Markets supports Bank Transfer and Credit Card but does not accept Skrill, and its minimum deposit is $500, which may be a barrier for some retail traders. Withdrawals at FP Markets are typically processed within 1-2 business days, while Hantec Markets can take 3-5 days. For Romania traders, FP Markets offers more payment flexibility and lower entry costs, making it more accessible for growing retail traders. Both brokers allow withdrawals via the same method as deposit, but FP Markets has a faster turnaround.
| 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 Romania's Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. FP Markets provides Islamic accounts upon request with no swap charges on positions held overnight, and they are available on all account types. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts but requires a formal application and may take longer to approve. FP Markets' Islamic accounts have more flexible conditions, including no additional fees, while Hantec may apply a management fee after a certain holding period. For Romania traders seeking ethical trading options, FP Markets is the more accommodating choice.
| 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 customer support in English, with Romanian language support available via live chat and email. Hantec Markets provides support in English only, with limited hours. For Romania traders, FP Markets' multilingual support and faster response times (under 2 minutes on live chat) are advantageous. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections, but FP Markets' support is more responsive and accessible.
| 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 Romania traders in 2026, FP Markets is the stronger choice overall. With a higher Trustpilot score (4.7/5), lower spreads, superior platform variety, and support for Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill, it meets the needs of the growing retail trading community better than Hantec Markets (3.6/5). While Hantec Markets offers FCA regulation and a solid MT4 experience, its higher minimum deposit ($500), limited payment methods, and fewer instruments make it less attractive for most Romanian traders. FP Markets also provides faster execution and better customer support, including Romanian language assistance. Although neither broker is regulated by ASF Romania, FP Markets' CySEC oversight offers some EU-level protections. For active traders and those seeking cost efficiency, FP Markets is the recommended broker. Hantec Markets may suit traders who prioritize UK regulation and a more traditional approach.