Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand retail traders evaluating Global Prime vs Hantec Markets face two equally rated brokers (3.6/5) that cater to different trading styles. Both are regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), ensuring a secure environment for Kiwi investors. Global Prime appeals to active traders with ultra-low spreads and fast execution on MetaTrader 4 and 5. Hantec Markets, with a longer market presence, offers a broader educational library and a social trading platform. Both support popular local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making fund management seamless for New Zealanders. Whether you prioritise cost efficiency or learning tools, this comparison helps you decide which broker aligns with your forex trading goals in 2025.
| 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 New Zealand traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability. Global Prime stands out with raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like NZD/USD, plus a $7 commission per lot. This model rewards high-frequency scalpers. Hantec Markets offers spreads from 0.8 pips on standard accounts without commission, which may be costlier for high-volume trading. However, Hantec’s fixed spread option suits traders who prefer predictable costs. When trading 10+ lots per month, Global Prime’s lower spreads can save hundreds of USD annually, making it the preferred choice for cost-conscious Kiwi investors.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
New Zealand traders expect reliable platforms for 24-hour forex markets. Global Prime provides industry-standard MT4 and MT5, plus a cTrader option known for advanced charting and depth of market. Hantec Markets focuses on MT4 and its proprietary web trader, alongside the eToro-style social trading platform ‘CopyTrader’. For Kiwis who value custom indicators and automated strategies, Global Prime’s cTrader is a strong advantage. Hantec’s social platform appeals to beginners looking to mirror experienced traders. Both offer mobile apps compatible with iOS and Android for trading on the go.
| 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 |
Execution quality is critical for New Zealand scalpers and day traders. Global Prime uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with low latency servers in Sydney, providing fast order fills. Hantec Markets also offers NDD execution but routes through London, which may introduce slight delay for Kiwi traders. Global Prime’s average execution speed is under 40ms, while Hantec’s is around 60ms. Both brokers have no re-quotes, but Global Prime’s cTrader offers greater transparency with depth-of-market data, appealing to high-frequency traders.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA), which enforces strict client fund segregation and dispute resolution under local law. Global Prime also holds an Australian ASIC license, adding an extra layer of compliance. Hantec Markets is authorised by the FMA and the UK FCA. For New Zealand traders, FMA regulation ensures your funds are held in trust accounts and that brokers adhere to fair trading practices. This local oversight provides confidence, especially when using high-risk leverage or large position sizes. Always verify your broker’s current licence on the FMA register.
| 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 |
New Zealand traders can fund their accounts easily using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both Global Prime and Hantec Markets. Global Prime also accepts Visa, Mastercard, and local methods like POLi, while Hantec Markets supports UnionPay. Bank Transfers in NZD may incur bank fees; USDT TRC20 offers near-instant deposits with negligible costs. Minimum deposits differ: Global Prime requires $200 USD, Hantec Markets $500 USD. Withdrawals at both brokers are processed within 1-3 business days for most methods, though crypto (USDT) withdrawals are faster. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, but intermediary banks may apply. Always check the latest fee schedules on each broker’s website.
| 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 |
New Zealand Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant accounts can access swap-free options at both brokers. Global Prime offers Islamic accounts automatically upon request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Hantec Markets provides a dedicated swap-free account for Muslim clients, but you must contact support to enable it. Both brokers ensure no hidden fees, but Hantec may restrict certain instruments like commodities. Global Prime’s straightforward policy makes it slightly more accessible for Kiwi traders observing Islamic finance principles. Always confirm the specific terms with each broker before opening an account.
| 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 |
Customer support for New Zealand traders is available 24/5 at both brokers. Global Prime offers live chat and email with quick response times, plus a local NZ phone number. Hantec Markets provides multilingual support via telephone, email, and live chat, with a dedicated team for Oceania. Response times are similar, but Hantec’s broader language options benefit non-English speakers. For urgent queries during NZ trading hours, both brokers are reliable, though Global Prime edges out slightly with faster live chat resolution.
| 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...
Both Global Prime and Hantec Markets are solid choices for New Zealand retail traders, scoring identically at 3.6/5. However, your final decision hinges on your trading style. Global Prime wins on cost efficiency and execution speed, making it ideal for active traders who can benefit from raw spreads and low commissions. Hantec Markets excels in education and social features, suiting beginners or those who prefer fixed costs. Both support local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and are regulated by the FMA. If you trade high volume, pick Global Prime; if learning and copy trading matter more, choose Hantec Markets. Test both with a demo account before committing real capital.