Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Philippines traders comparing Global Prime and Hantec Markets in 2025, both brokers score 3.6 out of 5, offering competitive features but with distinct strengths. Global Prime is known for its low-cost trading environment with tight spreads and fast execution, appealing to active day traders and scalpers. Hantec Markets, a more established brand with over 30 years of history, provides a wider range of account types and strong customer support. Both brokers accept Philippines clients and support local payment methods like GCash, PayMaya, bank transfer, and USDT, which is critical for mobile-first traders and OFW remittance investors. However, neither is regulated by the SEC Philippines, so traders must rely on offshore licenses from FCA, ASIC, or FSA. This comparison focuses on trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local deposit options to help you decide which broker fits your trading style in the Philippines.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Philippines traders, Global Prime offers lower spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs with a commission of $3.50 per lot. Hantec Markets spreads start from 0.1 pips with no commission on standard accounts, but raw spreads are higher. For a Philippines trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, Global Prime would cost approximately $35 in commissions plus spreads, while Hantec Markets may cost $20-$30 in spreads alone depending on market conditions. Active traders in the Philippines will benefit from Global Prime’s lower overall costs, while occasional traders may prefer Hantec Markets’ simpler fee structure.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (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) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Philippines traders for their mobile trading capabilities. Global Prime also provides a proprietary web platform and TradingView integration, ideal for mobile-first traders who need advanced charting on the go. Hantec Markets focuses on MT4/MT5 with additional tools like Autochartist and VPS for automated trading. For OFW remittance investors trading part-time, both platforms work well on smartphones, but Global Prime’s TradingView compatibility gives it an edge for technical analysis.
| 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 execution speeds under 40 milliseconds on average. Hantec Markets also uses STP execution but may have slightly higher latency due to multiple liquidity providers. For Philippines traders relying on mobile trading, Global Prime’s faster execution reduces slippage on volatile pairs like USD/PHP, while Hantec Markets remains reliable for standard forex pairs.
| 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 Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles, and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Neither broker is regulated by the SEC Philippines, meaning Philippines traders do not have local investor protection. However, ASIC and FCA regulations offer strong oversight and segregated client funds, which provides some reassurance. Traders should verify the specific entity they are opening an account with to understand the level of protection.
| 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 |
Philippines traders can fund their accounts at both Global Prime and Hantec Markets using GCash, PayMaya, bank transfer, and USDT. Minimum deposits vary: Global Prime requires $200 (approx. PHP 11,000) and Hantec Markets requires $100 (approx. PHP 5,500). Deposits via GCash and PayMaya are processed instantly with no fees from the brokers, though your payment provider may charge a small fee. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary fees. USDT deposits are supported for crypto-savvy traders but require a compatible wallet. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge withdrawal fees, but bank intermediaries may apply charges.
| 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 Muslim traders in the Philippines, which comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest on positions. This is important for Muslim traders who want to avoid riba (interest). Global Prime does not explicitly offer Islamic accounts, though some clients may request swap-free conditions on a case-by-case basis. For Philippines Muslim traders, Hantec Markets is the more transparent choice for halal trading.
| 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 customer support via live chat and email, with English-speaking agents. Hantec Markets offers 24/5 support through live chat, phone, and email, with multilingual support including English and Chinese. For Philippines traders, both brokers respond within minutes during market hours, but Hantec Markets’ phone support may be more convenient for urgent issues. Neither broker offers Tagalog support, so English proficiency is required.
| 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 Philippines traders in 2025, both Global Prime and Hantec Markets offer solid options, but the best choice depends on your trading style and values. Global Prime excels with lower trading costs and faster execution, making it ideal for active traders using GCash or PayMaya for quick deposits. Hantec Markets stands out with Islamic accounts and a lower minimum deposit, appealing to Muslim traders and beginners. Since neither broker is regulated by SEC Philippines, you must rely on their offshore licenses (ASIC, FCA) for protection. For mobile-first traders and OFW remittance investors, Global Prime’s TradingView integration and low spreads provide a competitive edge. Ultimately, consider your priorities: cost efficiency with Global Prime or account flexibility with Hantec Markets.