Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Romania's retail trading community continues to grow, with traders seeking brokers that combine competitive costs, reliable regulation, and local payment convenience. FXTM (ForexTime) and Hantec Markets are two well-known brokers serving Romanian clients, but they differ significantly in what they offer. FXTM, rated 4.3/5, is a global broker with over 10 years of experience, offering tight spreads, multiple account types, and strong localisation for Romania including Romanian language support and RON deposits via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. Hantec Markets, rated 3.6/5, is a UK-headquartered broker with a solid reputation and fixed spread options, but its Romanian-specific features are less developed. For Romanian traders, the choice often comes down to trading costs, platform flexibility, and how well each broker supports local payment methods and regulatory comfort under ASF Romania's oversight.
| Instrument | FXTM | 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 | $200 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For Romanian traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. FXTM offers spreads from 0.1 pips on its raw ECN account, with a commission of $2 per side per lot. Hantec Markets' floating spreads start at 0.6 pips on its Advantage account, with no commission on standard accounts. On a typical 10-lot trade per month in EUR/USD, FXTM's total cost is around $40 (spread + commission), while Hantec Markets costs approximately $60 in spreads alone. For higher-volume Romanian traders, FXTM's model is more cost-effective. However, Hantec Markets' fixed spreads on its Classic account can be advantageous during volatile market conditions when FXTM's spreads may widen significantly.
| Account Type | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (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 | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | 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), which are the preferred platforms for most Romanian traders. FXTM also provides its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile trading, which includes advanced charting and one-click trading. Hantec Markets focuses solely on MT4 and MT5, with no proprietary platform. For Romanian traders who value automated trading or EA compatibility, both brokers are equal. However, FXTM's mobile app and web trader offer more flexibility for traders who want to manage positions on the go without installing additional software.
| Factor | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FXTM offers market execution with an average order fill speed of 0.15 seconds, with no requotes on its ECN accounts. Hantec Markets also uses market execution but has a slightly slower fill speed of 0.3 seconds, with occasional requotes during high volatility. For Romanian traders trading major pairs like EUR/USD or EUR/RON, FXTM's execution is more reliable, especially for scalping strategies. Both brokers allow scalping and hedging, but FXTM's infrastructure is better optimised for high-frequency trading.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXTM and Hantec Markets are regulated by CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), which is a Tier-2 regulator recognised by ASF Romania under MiFID II passporting. This means Romanian traders are protected by negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000. Neither broker is directly regulated by ASF, but they comply with EU financial directives. FXTM also holds additional licenses from the FCA (UK) and FSCA (South Africa), which adds an extra layer of oversight. For Romanian traders, the key difference is that FXTM has a larger compliance team and more transparent reporting, while Hantec Markets relies on its long history (since 1990) as a trust factor.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 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 |
Romanian traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), and Skrill. FXTM processes Credit Card and Skrill deposits instantly with no fees for RON transactions, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days and may incur intermediary bank charges. Hantec Markets also supports these methods, but Credit Card deposits may attract a 1-2% fee, and Skrill deposits are free but withdrawals to Skrill cost a small percentage. FXTM offers free withdrawals once per month via bank transfer, while Hantec Markets charges a flat fee for each withdrawal. For active traders using Skrill frequently, FXTM is more cost-effective. Both brokers require KYC documentation (passport or ID, proof of address) for first-time withdrawals, which is standard for Romanian clients.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | 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 cater to Muslim traders in Romania by offering Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. FXTM provides swap-free accounts on its Standard and Cent accounts, with no additional fees or time limits. Hantec Markets offers Islamic accounts on request for all account types, but may apply a small administration fee after 30 days of holding positions. Romanian traders who require long-term swap-free positions should prefer FXTM, as its policy is more lenient. Both brokers require a declaration of Muslim faith or a valid reason for opening an Islamic account. It's advisable to contact each broker's support team in advance to confirm eligibility and any specific terms.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
FXTM offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in Romanian, with response times under 2 minutes during market hours. Hantec Markets provides support in English only via live chat and email, with slower response times (typically 10-15 minutes). For Romanian traders who prefer communicating in their native language, FXTM has a clear advantage. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections, but FXTM's localised content is more comprehensive for Romanian clients.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For most Romanian traders, FXTM is the better choice due to its higher rating (4.3/5), tighter spreads, localised support in Romanian, and seamless integration with popular payment methods like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. Its regulatory framework under CySEC, recognised by ASF Romania, provides adequate protection. Hantec Markets remains a solid alternative for traders who prioritise fixed spreads and a longer operational history, but its lack of Romanian language support and higher trading costs make it less competitive for the growing retail community in Romania. Ultimately, FXTM offers a more complete package for Romanian traders seeking low costs, local convenience, and strong execution quality.