Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
New Zealand traders looking for a reliable forex broker in 2025 often compare Hantec Markets and Oanda. Both are regulated by New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and enjoy a strong global reputation. Hantec Markets, founded in 1993, has a solid presence in Asia and the Pacific, while Oanda, established in 1996, is a global leader with deep liquidity. For local traders, the choice boils down to trading costs, platform features, and payment flexibility. Hantec Markets appeals to cost-conscious traders with its razor-short spreads and support for USDT TRC20 deposits, a method gaining traction among New Zealand crypto users. Oanda, on the other hand, offers a proprietary platform with powerful charting and a vast range of tradable instruments, including 70+ currency pairs. Both accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits convenient. With the FMA oversight, New Zealand retail traders can trust both brokers for safety and transparency. This comparison evaluates their key differences to help you choose the right broker for your trading strategy in 2025.
| Instrument | Hantec Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Oanda |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Oanda |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Oanda |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Oanda |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $10 | $0 | Oanda |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs are a major factor. Hantec Markets offers the Razor account with spreads from 0.1 pips on NZD/USD, plus a commission of $7 per round lot. This model is ideal for high-volume scalpers. Oanda charges variable spreads with no commission, averaging 0.2-0.5 pips on NZD/USD. On a $10,000 monthly volume, Hantec Markets can save you up to $30 compared to Oanda. However, Oanda's all-in cost is simpler to calculate for casual traders. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but Oanda charges inactivity fees after 12 months, which is a drawback for occasional traders in New Zealand.
| Account Type | Hantec Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $10 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Hantec Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:100 |
| 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 | Hantec Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Hantec Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Hantec Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Hantec Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Oanda |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Hantec Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Hantec Markets provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a platform widely used by New Zealand traders for its automated trading capabilities and custom indicators. Oanda offers both MT4 and its own proprietary platform, fxTrade, which features advanced charting tools, a clean interface, and risk management features like stop-loss and take-profit levels. New Zealand traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) will prefer Hantec's MT4, while discretionary traders wanting a modern, user-friendly experience may lean toward Oanda's fxTrade. Both platforms are available on desktop, web, and mobile, ensuring flexibility for Kiwi traders on the go.
| Factor | Hantec Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Oanda |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Hantec Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Execution quality matters for New Zealand traders, especially those trading NZD pairs during the Asian session. Hantec Markets uses STP/ECN execution with no dealing desk, achieving average execution speeds of 30ms. Oanda operates a hybrid model with a dealing desk for some orders, but its average execution speed is around 50ms. Both brokers offer instant execution with no requotes in normal market conditions. However, Hantec's ECN model provides slightly more transparency and consistency for scalpers in volatile sessions.
| Safety Factor | Hantec Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Hantec Markets and Oanda are regulated by the FMA in New Zealand, offering the same level of consumer protection. The FMA requires them to segregate client funds, provide negative balance protection, and adhere to strict reporting standards. Hantec Markets (NZ) Limited holds a derivatives issuer license from the FMA, while Oanda Global Markets Ltd is also registered. This dual regulation ensures that New Zealand traders can deposit funds confidently. Additionally, both brokers belong to independent dispute resolution schemes (such as FDR in NZ), giving traders a path to escalate complaints if needed. Regulation by the local authority is a key assurance for retail traders.
| Payment Method | Hantec Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
New Zealand traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. Hantec Markets offers instant USDT TRC20 deposits with zero fees, while Oanda processes USDT within 30 minutes. Bank transfers (local NZD) are free but take 1-3 business days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and free. For withdrawals, Hantec Markets charges a small fee on bank wire (0.1% but capped), while Oanda offers one free bank withdrawal per month. Both brokers process e-wallet withdrawals within 24 hours. The inclusion of USDT TRC20 is a standout for New Zealand crypto users, providing faster and cheaper international transfers compared to traditional banking. All methods support NZD conversion automatically.
| Islamic Account Feature | Hantec Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Hantec Markets and Oanda offer Islamic accounts (swap-free) for New Zealand Muslim traders. Hantec Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types without requiring a minimum trade volume; simply submit a request with supporting documents. Oanda also offers swap-free accounts, but it caps the number of days an open position can remain swap-free (usually 365 days) to comply with regulations. New Zealand traders should note that both brokers apply markups on certain instruments for Islamic accounts, so it's wise to compare the terms. Overall, Hantec Markets is more flexible with its swap-free policy, while Oanda's is more structured.
| Support Feature | Hantec Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Hantec Markets |
Customer support for New Zealand traders is available 24/5 from both brokers, with English-speaking teams. Hantec Markets provides live chat and email support, with phone lines during NZ business hours. Oanda offers 24/7 support via live chat, phone, and email, plus a comprehensive help centre. Oanda's faster response times (under 2 minutes on live chat) give it a slight edge. For NZ traders needing local assistance, Hantec has a physical office in Auckland, while Oanda relies on its global support network.
| Mobile Feature | Hantec Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Hantec Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Hantec Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | Oanda |
| Resource | Hantec Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Hantec Markets |
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
Choose Oanda if you...
For New Zealand traders in 2025, both Hantec Markets and Oanda are solid FMA-regulated choices with almost identical scores. Hantec Markets stands out for its ultra-low spreads, ECN execution, and support for USDT TRC20 deposits—ideal for cost-conscious or crypto-friendly traders. Oanda excels in platform versatility, instrument variety, and customer support, making it better for traders who value a rich trading experience over raw cost savings. Consider your trading style: if you trade actively on NZD pairs and use Bank Transfer or Skrill regularly, Hantec offers more value. If you prefer a robust platform and broader market access, Oanda is the better fit. Both brokers fully comply with the local financial regulator, ensuring a safe environment for your funds.