Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Norwegian retail traders searching for a reliable forex broker often compare Global Prime and Hantec Markets. Both firms hold a 3.6/5 rating on Comparebroker.io, yet their offerings differ significantly. Norway traders operate primarily in USD accounts, using local payment methods like Bank Transfer (SEPA), Skrill, Neteller, and even USDT TRC20 for crypto transfers. The local financial regulator, Finanstilsynet, oversees financial services but does not directly regulate these offshore brokers. Global Prime focuses on ECN execution with low spreads, suitable for active scalpers. Hantec Markets provides a more traditional fixed spread model and is known for its wide currency pair selection. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, cost expectations, and deposit preferences as a Norwegian 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 Norway traders, trading costs are largely dominated by spreads and commissions. Global Prime offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on majors like EUR/USD, plus a commission of $6 per lot round turn. This is ideal for high‑volume traders. Hantec Markets charges no commission but uses fixed spreads (e.g., 1.5 pips on EUR/USD). Over 100 standard lots, the difference can be hundreds of USD. Norwegian traders who trade frequently will benefit from Global Prime’s lower total cost per trade. However, Hantec’s stable spreads protect against slippage during volatile news events, which may appeal to traders with smaller accounts. Always account for currency conversion from NOK to USD – both brokers apply a 0.5–1% margin on conversion unless you open a USD‑denominated account.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Global Prime offers industry‑standard platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader. These are fully compatible with Norwegian traders, supporting VPS hosting for low‑latency trading. Hantec Markets provides MT4 and its own web trader. For Norway users, the main differentiator is cTrader availability: Global Prime’s cTrader offers depth‑of‑market and advanced charting, which is valuable for technical analysts. Hantec’s MT4 platform is stable but lacks cTrader. Both brokers offer mobile apps with full functionality. Norwegian traders relying on automated trading should note Global Prime’s better DMA (direct market access) and lower slippage on limit orders.
| 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 ECN/STP execution with low latency and no re‑quotes, ideal for scalping Norway traders. Hantec Markets operates a market maker model, which may result in slippage during volatile sessions. Global Prime’s execution speed averages under 20ms on MT4, while Hantec’s is around 50ms. For Norwegian traders trading news events, Global Prime offers better fill conditions. Hantec, however, ensures fixed spreads regardless of volatility, which can be beneficial for traders using hedging strategies.
| 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 Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), while Hantec Markets holds an FCA license in the UK and a FSA license in Seychelles. Neither broker is directly regulated by Finanstilsynet, the Norwegian regulator. This means Norwegian traders do not benefit from local compensation schemes (e.g., NGF). However, FCA regulation (Hantec Markets) offers stronger client protection, including negative balance protection and access to the UK Financial Ombudsman Service. Global Prime’s VFSC license offers less stringent oversight but allows higher leverage (up to 1:500). For Norway traders, the choice depends on whether you prioritise regulatory safety (Hantec) or higher leverage and lower costs (Global Prime). Always check local laws regarding offshore broker usage.
| 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 |
Norwegian traders can fund accounts in USD using Bank Transfer (SEPA), Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20. Global Prime processes deposits via Skrill and Neteller instantly, with zero fees for deposits. USDT TRC20 transfers are welcomed with a minimum deposit of $20. Withdrawals are free via Skrill/Neteller but may take 1–2 business days. Bank Transfer withdrawals cost $30 if USD to a Norwegian NOK account, so consider e‑wallets. Hantec Markets supports the same methods: Bank Transfer (SEPA) and e‑wallets. However, Hantec charges a 1% fee on Skrill/Neteller deposits above $5,000, and withdrawals via e‑wallet incur a 1.5% fee (capped at $30). USDT TRC20 deposits are free on both platforms, but Hantec requires a minimum $50. Overall, Global Prime offers cheaper deposit/withdrawal options for Norwegian traders using e‑wallets or crypto.
| 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 |
For Muslim traders in Norway seeking swap‑free accounts, both Global Prime and Hantec Markets provide Islamic accounts. Global Prime offers swap‑free conditions on all account types with no extra fees; simply request activation via support. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts but imposes a fee (typically $5–$10 per lot) after holding positions for more than 10 days. Norwegian traders should review the fine print: Global Prime’s policy is more straightforward for long‑term trades. Neither broker restricts scalping or hedging on Islamic accounts. Ensure you confirm balance currency (USD) and any conversion fees from NOK.
| 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 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support – all in English. Hantec Markets offers 24/5 support with multilingual agents, but Norwegian language is not available. Both brokers respond within minutes via live chat. For Norway traders needing quick resolution on deposits or withdrawals, Global Prime’s response time is slightly faster. Hantec’s support is more knowledgeable about regulatory matters due to its FCA background. Consider time zone differences (both brokers operate during Asian/European hours).
| 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 Norwegian retail traders, the choice between Global Prime and Hantec Markets depends on your trading style and cost priorities. Global Prime excels in low‑cost, direct‑market‑access trading, with support for cTrader, free e‑wallet deposits (Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and a transparent swap‑free policy. Hantec Markets offers more regulatory oversight via its FCA license and stable spreads, but higher deposit fees and a market maker model may deter active traders. Neither broker is regulated by Finanstilsynet, but both are accessible to Norway clients via Bank Transfer and e‑wallets. If you are a high‑volume trader seeking the lowest spreads and modern platforms, Global Prime is the better fit. If you prioritise regulatory safety and fixed costs, Hantec Markets can be appropriate. Always test with a demo account before depositing USD from your Norwegian bank.