Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Global Prime and Hantec Markets are two well-known ASIC-regulated forex brokers serving Australian traders. Both offer trading in AUD accounts and accept local payment methods such as BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit cards. For experienced Australian traders seeking a reliable broker under the jurisdiction of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, these two firms present compelling options. Global Prime is known for its low-cost, institutional-grade spreads, while Hantec Markets offers a broader product range including CFDs on indices, commodities, and shares. This comparison will help you decide which broker better suits your trading style, whether you prioritise raw spreads, platform choices, or account flexibility. Both brokers are well-established and compliant with local regulations, ensuring a secure trading environment. In this 2025 guide, we delve into the key differences in trading costs, platforms, regulation, deposit methods, and more, specifically tailored for the Australian trader.
| Instrument | Global Prime | 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 | $0 | $10 | Global Prime |
For Australian traders, trading costs are often the deciding factor. Global Prime offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its ECN account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Hantec Markets provides spreads from 0.1 pips on its ECN account with a commission of $4 per lot. On a 10-lot trade on EUR/USD, Global Prime's total cost (spread + commission) would be approximately $70 per side, while Hantec Markets would be around $80. For high-volume traders, Global Prime's lower commission and tighter spreads can lead to significant savings. However, Hantec Markets offers a standard account with no commission but wider spreads, which may suit smaller traders.
| Account Type | Global Prime | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Global Prime | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (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 | Global Prime | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Global Prime |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | Global Prime |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Global Prime |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Global Prime | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) – a staple for Australian traders. Global Prime also provides MetaTrader 5 and cTrader, appealing to those who want advanced charting and order execution. Hantec Markets sticks with MT4 and offers its proprietary Hantec Trader platform, which is web-based and mobile-friendly. For Australian traders who rely on algorithmic trading or custom indicators, MT4/MT5 are essential. Global Prime's cTrader is a plus for scalpers due to its depth of market and fast execution. Hantec Markets' proprietary platform may be less familiar but offers a simple interface. Both provide VPS options for automated trading.
| Factor | Global Prime | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Global Prime |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Global Prime uses straight-through processing (STP) with no dealing desk, offering fast execution with average speeds below 20ms. Hantec Markets also employs STP execution but may have a dealing desk for certain account types. For Australian traders who are scalpers or use automated strategies, Global Prime's execution speed and lack of requotes are advantageous. Hantec Markets' execution is still reliable, but occasional slippage may occur during news events. Overall, Global Prime has a slight edge in execution quality.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime and Hantec Markets are both regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under AFSL numbers 385620 and 414674 respectively. This means Australian traders benefit from strict capital adequacy requirements, client fund segregation, and adherence to the Financial Services Reform Act. ASIC also imposes leverage caps of 1:30 for major currencies, which protects retail traders. Both brokers comply with these regulations, offering negative balance protection. However, Global Prime also holds a license from the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission for offshore clients, while Hantec Markets has additional licenses in the UK and Hong Kong, but the ASIC regulation is the most relevant for Australian traders.
| Payment Method | Global Prime | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
Australian traders can deposit funds using BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit card at both brokers. Global Prime also supports PayPal and Neteller, whilst Hantec Markets accepts Skrill and UnionPay. BPAY and POLi are particularly popular among locals as they allow instant funding from Australian bank accounts. Bank transfers may take 1-2 business days but are free. Credit card deposits are instant, though they may incur cash advance fees from the card issuer. Withdrawals at Global Prime are processed within 24 hours, with no fees, and funds return via the same method. Hantec Markets also processes withdrawals quickly, typically within 1-2 business days, with no charges for bank transfers. Both brokers ensure AUD accounts are available, avoiding conversion fees. Overall, the deposit and withdrawal experience for Australian traders is seamless and efficient.
| Islamic Account Feature | Global Prime | 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 Global Prime and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Australia. Global Prime's Islamic account is available on request and is strictly for traders of Islamic faith; it carries no swap charges on overnight positions. Hantec Markets also provides a swap-free account that complies with Sharia law, with a zero-interest policy. However, traders should note that some brokers may charge administrative fees after a holding period. Both brokers require proof of religion for eligibility. Australian Muslim traders can trade with confidence knowing both brokers respect their faith requirements.
| Support Feature | Global Prime | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Global Prime |
Global Prime offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone from 8am to 6pm AEST. Hantec Markets provides support 24/5 via live chat, phone, and email, with slightly longer hours. For Australian traders, Hantec Markets' support may be more accessible due to extended hours. Both have responsive teams and support is available in English. Global Prime also has a helpful client portal for self-service.
| Mobile Feature | Global Prime | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Global Prime |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Global Prime |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Global Prime | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | ✗ | 50+ videos | Hantec Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Global Prime |
Choose Global Prime if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Australian traders seeking an ASIC-regulated broker, both Global Prime and Hantec Markets are strong choices. If low trading costs and advanced platforms like cTrader matter most, Global Prime is the better option. If you prefer a wider range of instruments, a proprietary platform, and excellent support hours, Hantec Markets may suit you. Both accept BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit card deposits, making funding easy for locals. Given the regulatory protection from ASIC and seamless AUD deposits, Australian traders can comfortably choose either broker based on their specific needs. For cost-conscious scalpers, Global Prime edges ahead; for versatility, Hantec Markets wins.