Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore traders seeking a reliable forex broker face a tight comparison between Hantec Markets and Oanda, both scoring 3.6/5 in our 2025 review. As a financial hub with MAS regulation, Singapore demands brokers that offer local payment methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, along with SGD-denominated accounts. Hantec Markets, a UK-based broker with a growing Asian presence, provides competitive spreads and direct SGD deposits via PayNow, appealing to cost-conscious traders. Oanda, a globally recognised brand with advanced charting tools, offers robust platforms but slightly higher trading costs. Both brokers are licensed by MAS, ensuring compliance with Singapore's strict financial standards. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, deposit methods, and regulatory protections specifically for sophisticated investors in Singapore, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| 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 Singapore traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when trading USD/SGD or EUR/USD. Hantec Markets offers spreads from 0.1 pips on major pairs with its Raw account, while Oanda's standard spreads start at 0.6 pips. For a trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Hantec Markets can save approximately SGD 50-80 in spread costs compared to Oanda. Hantec also charges a low commission of SGD 3 per lot on Raw accounts, whereas Oanda's commission-free pricing is offset by wider spreads. Oanda's variable spreads can widen during Asian session volatility, impacting intraday traders. Hantec's fixed spread options provide more predictability for Singapore scalpers. Overall, Hantec Markets offers a clear cost advantage, particularly for high-volume traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda leads in platform variety, offering MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary Oanda Trade platform with advanced charting and automated trading via API. This suits Singapore traders who use Expert Advisors or custom indicators. Hantec Markets provides MT4 and MT5 only, but its platforms are optimised for low latency execution on Singapore-based servers. Oanda's web platform includes over 100 technical indicators and real-time news feeds, ideal for fundamental analysis. Hantec's platform selection is more limited but reliable for traders who prefer simplicity and speed. For mobile trading, both offer apps with full functionality. Singapore traders who prioritise advanced tools may prefer Oanda, while those focused on execution speed will find Hantec adequate.
| 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 |
Hantec Markets uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with ECN connectivity, providing direct market access and average execution speeds under 50ms. Oanda uses a market maker model with some internalisation, which can lead to requotes during volatile periods. For Singapore traders trading during Asian sessions, Hantec's execution is more reliable with minimal slippage. Oanda's execution is still competitive but may not suit scalpers or high-frequency traders.
| Safety Factor | Hantec Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Hantec Markets and Oanda hold MAS licences, providing Singapore traders with strong regulatory protection under the Securities and Futures Act. MAS requires brokers to segregate client funds in trust accounts and adhere to leverage limits of 1:50 for retail traders. Hantec Markets is also regulated by the FCA in the UK and FSA in Japan, adding an extra layer of oversight. Oanda is regulated by multiple bodies including the CFTC in the US and FCA in the UK. For Singapore traders, MAS regulation ensures that both brokers comply with local anti-money laundering rules and provide dispute resolution through the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC). This makes both brokers equally safe from a regulatory standpoint.
| 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 |
Singapore traders have convenient deposit options at both brokers. Hantec Markets supports PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits in SGD with no fees and processing times of 1-2 hours for PayNow and Bank Transfer. Oanda also accepts PayNow and Bank Transfer, but Credit Card deposits incur a 1% fee. Withdrawals at Hantec Markets are processed within 24 hours via Bank Transfer to local Singapore banks, with no fees for SGD withdrawals. Oanda offers similar withdrawal times but may charge a small fee for international transfers if not in SGD. Both brokers allow instant Credit Card deposits, but Hantec's no-fee policy gives it an edge. For high-volume traders, Hantec's faster PayNow processing is a practical advantage for managing capital in Singapore.
| 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 (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Singapore, in compliance with Sharia law. Hantec Markets provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions, and no additional fees. Oanda's Islamic accounts are available but limited to certain account types, and traders may need to provide proof of Muslim faith or residency in a Muslim-majority country. Hantec's policy is more straightforward for Singapore Muslim traders, as it does not require extensive documentation. Both brokers ensure that swap-free accounts do not incur interest, but Oanda's restrictions may be a barrier for some. For Singapore Muslim traders, Hantec Markets is the more accessible option.
| 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 |
Hantec Markets offers 24/5 multilingual customer support with a dedicated Singapore hotline and email response within 4 hours. Oanda provides 24/7 support via live chat and phone, but its Singapore office hours are limited to business days. Hantec's local presence in Singapore ensures faster response times for local queries, while Oanda's global support team can be slower during weekends. Both brokers offer support in English and Mandarin, catering to Singapore's diverse trader base.
| 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 Singapore traders, the choice between Hantec Markets and Oanda hinges on trading style and cost sensitivity. Hantec Markets excels with tighter spreads, lower fees, and faster local payments via PayNow and Bank Transfer, making it ideal for cost-conscious traders and scalpers. Oanda offers superior platform features and broader market access, suiting traders who prioritise analysis tools and automation. Both are MAS-regulated, ensuring safety for Singapore residents. If you trade frequently and value low costs, Hantec Markets is the better choice. If you need advanced platforms and multi-asset trading, Oanda is more suitable. Consider your volume, preferred payment method, and platform needs to make the right decision for your Singapore-based trading.