Which broker is better for India traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
India's forex and CFD trading market is growing rapidly, with tech-savvy retail traders and middle-class investors seeking reliable brokers. Global Prime (score 3.6/5) and Hantec Markets (score 3.6/5) are two popular choices, each offering distinct advantages for Indian users. Global Prime is known for its ultra-low spreads, fast execution, and advanced trading tools, appealing to active traders and scalpers. Hantec Markets, with a longer history and broader asset selection, suits those who prefer a wider range of instruments including commodities, indices, and shares. Both brokers accept Indian Rupee (INR) deposits via UPI, IMPS, NEFT, Skrill, and USDT, making them accessible for local traders. While neither is directly regulated by SEBI, they operate under reputable offshore regulators. This comparison focuses on key factors for India traders: trading costs, platform usability, deposit methods, and regulatory considerations, helping you choose the broker that aligns with your trading style and goals.
| 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 India traders, trading costs are critical, especially when trading high volumes. Global Prime offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.5 per lot per side. This model is highly cost-effective for active traders who execute multiple trades daily. Hantec Markets uses a commission-free model with spreads starting from 0.5 pips, which can be cheaper for low-frequency traders but more expensive for high-volume scalpers. For example, trading 10 lots of EUR/USD per day, Global Prime's total cost (spread + commission) is lower than Hantec Markets' spread-only cost. Both brokers have no hidden fees for INR deposits via UPI or IMPS, but currency conversion charges may apply for non-INR accounts.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| India (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
India traders value robust, user-friendly platforms. Global Prime offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader, providing advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and fast order execution. cTrader is particularly popular among tech-savvy traders for its intuitive interface and depth of market. Hantec Markets also provides MT4 and MT5, along with its proprietary WebTrader platform for browser-based trading. Both platforms support mobile trading on iOS and Android, essential for Indian traders on the go. Global Prime's cTrader integration gives it an edge for algorithmic traders, while Hantec's WebTrader is simpler for beginners.
| 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 is known for its low-latency execution with average speeds under 40ms, using Equinix NY4 data centers. This is ideal for India traders who scalp or use automated strategies. Hantec Markets offers reliable execution but with slightly higher latency due to its UK-based servers. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, but Global Prime's cTrader platform provides deeper liquidity and fewer requotes. For high-frequency traders, Global Prime's execution quality is superior.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). Hantec Markets is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and VFSC. For India traders, neither broker is regulated by SEBI, meaning they are not authorized to solicit Indian residents directly. However, many Indian traders use offshore brokers legally by self-reporting income. ASIC and FCA are top-tier regulators offering strong client protection, including negative balance protection and segregated funds. The VFSC regulation is less stringent. India traders should verify the broker's license and understand that SEBI does not provide recourse for disputes with these brokers.
| 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 |
Both Global Prime and Hantec Markets offer convenient deposit and withdrawal methods for India traders. You can fund your account using UPI, IMPS, NEFT for instant INR transfers via local payment partners like Razorpay or PayU. Skrill and Neteller are accepted for faster international deposits, though fees may apply. Both brokers now support USDT (Tether) deposits, allowing crypto-based funding without bank delays. Global Prime requires a minimum deposit of $200 (approx ₹16,500), while Hantec Markets has no minimum deposit, making it more accessible for small investors. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for bank transfers and faster for e-wallets. Currency conversion from INR to USD may apply, typically around 0.5% to 1%.
| 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 |
Hantec Markets offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts for traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. These accounts have no overnight interest charges, making them suitable for Indian Muslim traders who follow Islamic finance principles. Global Prime does not offer Islamic accounts as a standard option, but may provide them on a case-by-case basis upon request. For Indian traders seeking guaranteed swap-free trading, Hantec Markets is the preferred choice. Both brokers' Islamic accounts still allow access to all instruments, but Hantec's policy is more transparent and readily available.
| 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 provides customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with response times under 5 minutes during market hours. Support is available in English, which is widely understood by Indian traders. Hantec Markets offers similar channels with multilingual support including Hindi, making it more accessible for non-English speakers. Both brokers have knowledge bases and FAQs. For India traders, Hantec's Hindi support is a significant advantage, while Global Prime's faster response times appeal to active traders.
| 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 India traders, both Global Prime and Hantec Markets are solid choices with matching overall scores (3.6/5). The decision boils down to trading style and preferences. Global Prime excels in cost efficiency with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution, making it ideal for active, tech-savvy traders who use UPI or USDT deposits. Hantec Markets offers a broader asset selection, Islamic accounts, and no minimum deposit, suiting beginners and those seeking diversification. While neither is SEBI-regulated, both accept local payment methods like IMPS and NEFT. For scalpers and algorithmic traders, Global Prime is the better pick. For Sharia-compliant traders or those with smaller capital, Hantec Markets is more accommodating. Evaluate your trading needs carefully before choosing.