IC Markets vs Hantec Markets: Norway Trader Guide 2026

IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs for Norway traders compared to Hantec Markets. IC Markets' Raw Spread account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, while Hantec Markets' standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. For a Norway trader executing 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets costs approximately $70 in commissions versus Hantec Markets' $100 in spread costs. IC Markets also has no hidden fees on deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20, while Hantec Markets may charge for withdrawals after the first free monthly transaction. Volume traders clearly benefit from IC Markets' cost structure.

IC Markets provides Norway traders with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader, all optimized for low-latency trading. MT4 and MT5 are available on desktop, web, and mobile, with full support for Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom indicators. Hantec Markets offers only MT4, with no cTrader or MT5 support. For Norway traders using automated strategies or advanced charting, IC Markets' platform suite is superior. Hantec Markets' MT4 is adequate for manual traders but lacks the flexibility and speed that active Norwegian traders may require. Both brokers offer Norwegian language support in their platforms, but IC Markets' broader choice gives it a clear advantage.

IC Markets offers ultra-low latency execution with servers located in the Equinix NY4 data center in New York and LD4 in London, ensuring fast order processing for Norwegian traders. Execution speed is under 40ms on average. Hantec Markets uses standard STP execution with no dedicated data centers, resulting in higher latency and occasional slippage during volatile markets. IC Markets' ECN model also provides direct market access, while Hantec Markets routes orders through a single liquidity provider. For Norway traders focused on scalping or algorithmic trading, IC Markets is clearly superior.

IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. Hantec Markets is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. Neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator (Finanstilsynet) in Norway. This means Norwegian traders do not have access to the Norwegian investor compensation scheme. However, IC Markets' ASIC and CySEC regulation provides a higher tier of oversight compared to Hantec Markets' FCA regulation, which is also strong but applies only to UK clients. Norwegian traders should consider using brokers with EU/EEA regulation for better protection, but among these two, IC Markets offers more robust regulatory coverage.

Norway traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and Hantec Markets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. IC Markets processes deposits instantly via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with no fees. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary bank charges. Hantec Markets also supports these methods, but Skrill and Neteller deposits have a minimum of $10 and may take up to 24 hours to reflect. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes at both brokers. For withdrawals, IC Markets offers free withdrawals via Skrill and Neteller (up to 5 per month), while bank wire withdrawals cost $20. Hantec Markets offers one free withdrawal per month via bank transfer, with subsequent withdrawals costing $25. USDT TRC20 withdrawals are free at both brokers. Norwegian traders should use e-wallets or USDT for faster, cheaper transactions.

Both IC Markets and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Norway traders who require sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) with no swap charges on overnight positions. The account is available upon request and applies to forex, indices, and commodities. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts but only for its Standard account and limited to forex pairs. IC Markets' Islamic accounts have no additional fees, while Hantec Markets may charge a small administration fee after a holding period. For Norwegian Muslim traders, IC Markets offers a more flexible and cost-effective swap-free solution.

IC Markets provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Norwegian language support available during European trading hours. Hantec Markets offers support from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM GMT, with no Norwegian-speaking agents. IC Markets' support team is faster and more responsive, with average response times under 2 minutes for live chat. Hantec Markets' email support may take up to 24 hours. For Norway traders needing real-time assistance, IC Markets is the better choice.