Quick Verdict — Portugal Traders
Best Overall
IC Markets & Hantec Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Hantec Markets
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Portugal Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:500
Max leverage
Head-to-head comparison
Portugal traders looking for a reliable forex broker in 2026 often compare IC Markets and Hantec Markets. IC Markets, with a top score of 4.8/5, is known for its low-cost trading, ultra-fast execution, and wide range of deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 — all highly relevant for Portuguese users. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, offers a more traditional trading experience with fewer advanced features. Both brokers accept Portuguese clients and allow trading in USD, but their differences in spreads, platforms, and local payment support can significantly impact your trading success. This comparison focuses on what matters most to retail traders in Portugal, from regulatory considerations to everyday trading costs.
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Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

Hantec Markets
FCA · ASIC · JFSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
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Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | 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 | $200 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For Portugal traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $7 per round lot. Hantec Markets typically has wider spreads, often starting around 1.2 pips on the same pairs with no commission. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets can save Portuguese traders $50–$100 in spread costs alone. Lower costs at IC Markets benefit scalpers and day traders, while Hantec Markets may suit those who prefer a simpler, all-in spread model.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
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Leverage Comparison - Portugal Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|
| Portugal (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 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 |
Leverage Warning for Portugal Traders
Traders in Portugal typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-fast execution, with average speeds under 40ms and no dealing desk intervention. Hantec Markets uses a market maker model with occasional requotes. For Portugal traders who scalp or use EAs, IC Markets’ superior execution quality reduces slippage and improves trade accuracy. Hantec Markets is suitable for longer-term traders but may frustrate those requiring instant order fills.
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Regulation & Safety for Portugal Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets Global is not
FCA-authorised — the FCA has issued a public warning about this entity, and its clients do not have FOS or FSCS protection; verify the specific entity and licence before depositing. Neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator (CMVM) in Portugal. For Portugal traders, this means both brokers operate under international oversight, not local protection. IC Markets Global is not FCA-authorised — the FCA has issued a public warning about this entity, and its clients do not have FOS or FSCS protection; verify the specific entity and licence before depositing.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Portugal traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Portugal
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
Portugal traders can fund accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. IC Markets also supports credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Hantec Markets focuses on bank transfers and e-wallets. IC Markets processes deposits instantly via Skrill and Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits are typically confirmed within minutes. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while Hantec Markets may take 1–3 business days. For Portuguese users, IC Markets offers more flexibility and faster access to funds, especially with the growing popularity of USDT TRC20 in the region.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Portugal Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | 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 |
Both IC Markets and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Portugal traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts with no overnight interest charges on most instruments, applicable to all account types. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts but may apply a small admin fee after a certain holding period. For Portugal Muslim traders, IC Markets’ simpler terms and wider instrument coverage make it the preferred choice. Both brokers require a request to activate the Islamic account, usually without additional documentation.
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
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Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Portuguese-speaking team available during European hours. Hantec Markets provides support during market hours only, with limited language options. For Portugal traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock availability and local language support ensure faster issue resolution, especially for urgent deposit or withdrawal queries.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
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Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-$200 min deposit
-No 24/7 support
Hantec Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Portugal Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Want the lowest spreads and commissions for active trading
- Prefer fast deposits via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20
- Use automated trading strategies or Expert Advisors
- Need 24/7 customer support in Portuguese
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
- Prefer a traditional broker with FCA regulation
- Trade manually and don’t need ultra-fast execution
- Want a simpler, all-in spread model without commissions
- Are comfortable with limited deposit methods and slower withdrawals
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FAQ - IC Markets vs Hantec Markets in Portugal
Is IC Markets or Hantec Markets better for Portugal?
+Can Portugal traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Portugal traders?
+How do Portugal traders deposit at IC Markets and Hantec Markets?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Portugal?
+Final Verdict - Portugal 2026
IC Markets & Hantec Markets tied wins overall
For Portugal retail traders in 2026, IC Markets is the clear winner over Hantec Markets. Its superior score (4.8 vs 3.6), lower spreads, faster execution, and broader deposit options — including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 — align perfectly with local trading needs. While Hantec Markets offers solid FCA regulation and a straightforward platform, it lacks the cost efficiency and payment flexibility that Portuguese traders increasingly demand. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, but IC Markets’ multi-license structure provides stronger oversight. If you trade in USD and value low costs, fast deposits, and reliable support, IC Markets is the better choice for Portugal.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.