Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore is one of Asia’s most active forex trading hubs, with traders demanding low costs, fast execution, and strong regulatory protection. This comparison pits Hantec Markets (score 3.6/5) against TMGM (3.3/5) specifically for Singapore-based traders using SGD. Both brokers are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), giving local traders peace of mind. They also support local payment methods like PayNow, bank transfers via FAST, and credit cards, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. Hantec Markets, founded in 1990 and regulated by MAS, the FCA, and the FSA, appeals to sophisticated investors with its deep liquidity and tight spreads. TMGM, an Australian-based broker with a growing Singapore presence, offers higher leverage (up to 1:500) and a wide range of instruments. This page breaks down their spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment support to help you decide which broker fits your Singapore trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | Hantec Markets | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | TMGM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | TMGM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | TMGM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | TMGM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $10 | $100 | Hantec Markets |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are critical, especially when dealing in SGD pairs like USD/SGD or EUR/SGD. Hantec Markets offers competitive spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Pro account with a $7 round-turn commission per lot. On standard accounts, spreads average 1.2 pips with no commission. TMGM’s Edge account starts from 0.1 pips with a $7 commission per round turn, while its standard account spreads average 1.3 pips with no commission. For high-volume traders (10+ lots per month), Hantec’s raw spreads often result in lower total costs, particularly during Asian session liquidity. TMGM can be cheaper for low-volume traders on its standard account. Both brokers charge no deposit fees for SGD transfers, making cost management straightforward.
| Account Type | Hantec Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $10 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Hantec Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | TMGM | 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 | ✗ | 20+ | Hantec Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | TMGM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Hantec Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Singapore traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. Hantec Markets also provides its proprietary Hantec Trader platform, a web-based interface optimised for fast order execution and one-click trading – ideal for active Singapore traders who need speed. TMGM focuses on MT4/MT5 exclusively but offers integration with third-party tools like TradingView. For mobile trading, both have robust apps compatible with iOS and Android, though Hantec’s mobile platform includes a dedicated trade ticket for quick entries. Singapore traders favouring algorithmic trading will find both brokers support Expert Advisors (EAs) equally well. Overall, Hantec’s additional proprietary platform may appeal to traders wanting a more customised experience.
| Factor | Hantec Markets | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | TMGM |
| 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 day traders and scalpers in Singapore. Hantec Markets uses an ECN/STP model with access to multiple liquidity providers, offering average execution speeds of 40 ms and very low slippage on major pairs during Asian sessions. TMGM also operates an STP/ECN model but relies on fewer liquidity providers, resulting in average speeds of 60 ms. Both offer no dealing desk (NDD) execution, but Hantec’s deeper liquidity pool reduces requotes and negative slippage, especially during high-impact news events. For Singapore traders trading during volatile market hours, Hantec’s execution reliability is a slight advantage.
| Safety Factor | Hantec Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is paramount for Singapore traders, and both brokers comply with local requirements under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Hantec Markets holds a Capital Markets Services Licence (CMS100409-1), meaning it is fully licensed as a recognised market operator in Singapore. This offers client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and access to the MAS’s dispute resolution scheme. TMGM is not licensed by MAS but operates under an exempt regime, allowing it to accept Singapore clients as long as it complies with MAS guidelines. However, TMGM is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and VFSC (Vanuatu), which provide different protections. For Singapore traders, Hantec’s direct MAS licence offers a higher level of local regulatory comfort, especially for sophisticated investors who prioritise regulatory oversight.
| Payment Method | Hantec Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 4 business days to process, with internal processing typically completed within 1 business day. |
Both brokers support the three most popular SGD deposit methods for Singapore traders: PayNow, bank transfer (FAST), and credit card (Visa/Mastercard). Hantec Markets has a minimum deposit of SGD 500 via bank transfer, but PayNow deposits can be as low as SGD 100. TMGM requires a minimum of SGD 100 for bank transfer and SGD 500 for PayNow. Credit card deposits are instant at both brokers, though fees vary – Hantec charges 1.5% while TMGM charges 2%. Withdrawals are free via bank transfer (FAST) at both brokers, with processing times of 1–2 business days. PayNow withdrawals are not available at either broker for withdrawals (only deposits). Hantec processes withdrawal requests within 24 hours, while TMGM can take up to 3 business days. For frequent traders, Hantec’s faster processing and lower credit card fees make it slightly more cost-effective for Singaporeans.
| Islamic Account Feature | Hantec Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 TMGM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Singapore who cannot earn or pay interest (riba) on overnight positions. Hantec provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Pro, VIP) upon request, covering major, minor, and exotic forex pairs. No swap charges are applied, and the account is reviewed periodically to prevent abuse. TMGM also offers Islamic accounts for its Edge and Pro accounts, but swaps are waived on forex pairs only, while commodities and indices may incur a fee after a holding period. Both brokers require verification of religious eligibility (usually a declaration). For Singapore Muslim traders who trade primarily forex pairs, Hantec’s broader swap-free coverage is more accommodating.
| Support Feature | Hantec Markets | TMGM | 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 is available in English and Mandarin at both brokers, catering to Singapore’s multilingual population. Hantec Markets offers 24/5 live chat, phone support during Asian trading hours (8am–6pm SGT), and a dedicated email system. TMGM provides 24/5 live chat and phone support, but its team is based in Australia, leading to slightly delayed responses during Singapore public holidays. Both brokers have a local Singapore number, but Hantec’s support team is physically present in Singapore, which means faster issue resolution for local traders.
| Mobile Feature | Hantec Markets | TMGM | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Hantec Markets | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Hantec Markets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Hantec Markets |
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
Choose TMGM if you...
For Singapore traders in 2025, Hantec Markets is the stronger choice overall, especially for those who value direct MAS regulation, tighter spreads, and faster local support. Its support for PayNow deposits with no minimum, combined with competitive trading costs and a proprietary platform, makes it ideal for sophisticated investors in the financial hub. TMGM is a credible alternative if you need ultra-high leverage (1:500) or a simpler product range. However, its reliance on offshore regulation (ASIC/VFSC) and slower processing times may deter some locals. If you prioritise regulatory comfort, low cost, and seamless SGD payments through PayNow, bank transfer, or credit card, Hantec Markets delivers a superior experience tailored to Singapore.