Joseph Oloo
Written by
Alia Mehmood
Fact-checked by
Updated October 2026Country Portugal
Data verified
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

IC Markets Vs Hantec Markets – Portugal Trader Comparison 2026

Which broker is better for Portugal traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

IC Markets logo
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA · Founded 2007
Open Account
VS
Hantec Markets logo
Hantec Markets
FCA · ASIC · JFSA · Founded 1990
Open Account
Winner: Tied
Categories: 12 compared
For: Portugal traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

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
$200 vs $10
Min deposit
1:5000 vs 1:500
Max leverage
ASIC vs FCA
Top regulator
3.6 vs 3.6
Our scores
Table of Contents

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.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets logo
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
Hantec Markets logo
Hantec Markets
FCA · ASIC · JFSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
3.7
Tie
3.7
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.8
WIN
3.3
Regulation
Safety, oversight
3.9
Tie
3.9
Deposits
Local payments
3.7
Tie
3.7
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
3.4
Tie
3.4
Education
Webinars, guides
3.3
3.7
WIN
Execution
Speed, slippage
3.7
Tie
3.7
Mobile App
iOS, Android
3.6
Tie
3.6
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentIC MarketsHantec MarketsWinner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotHantec Markets
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalHantec Markets
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsHantec Markets
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsHantec Markets
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$200$10Hantec 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.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypeIC MarketsHantec Markets
Standard account✓✓
ECN / Raw spread✓✓
Islamic (swap-free)✓✓
Demo account✓✓
PAMM / MAM account✓✗
Zero spread account✓✓
Copy trading✗✗
Min deposit$200$10
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Portugal Traders

Entity / AssetIC MarketsHantec Markets
Portugal (offshore)Up to 1:5000Up to 1:500
Forex major pairs1:50001:500
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 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.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassIC MarketsHantec MarketsWinner
Forex pairs90+65+IC Markets
Gold (XAU/USD)✓✓Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)✓✓Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesIC Markets
Crypto CFDs30+✗IC Markets
Stocks / Share CFDs✗1,700+Hantec Markets
ETFs✗✗Tie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformIC MarketsHantec Markets
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)✓✓
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)✓✓
cTrader✓✗
TradingView✗✗
Expert Advisors (EAs)✓✓
Scalping allowed✓✓
Hedging allowed✓✓

Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular platforms among Portugal traders. IC Markets also offers cTrader and its own web trader, giving more choice for advanced charting and automation. Hantec Markets focuses on MT4/MT5 only. For Portuguese users who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic trading, IC Markets’ support for multiple platforms and low-latency servers in London provides a clear advantage. Hantec Markets is adequate for manual traders but lacks the same platform diversity.

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorIC MarketsHantec MarketsWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNHantec Markets
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msIC Markets
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
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.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Portugal Traders

Safety FactorIC MarketsHantec Markets
Primary regulatorASICFCA
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.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for Portugal

Payment MethodIC MarketsHantec Markets
Bank Wire Transfer✓✓
Visa / Mastercard✓✓
Skrill✓✓
Neteller✓✓
USDT / Crypto✓✗
Withdrawal timeE-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 daysCrypto / 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.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Portugal Muslims

Islamic Account FeatureIC MarketsHantec Markets
Swap-free available✓✓
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported✓✓
How to applyContact supportContact 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.
💬

Customer Support Comparison

Support FeatureIC MarketsHantec MarketsWinner
Live chat✓✓Tie
Phone support✓✓Tie
Email support✓✓Tie
24/7 support✗✗Tie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesIC 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 App Comparison

Mobile FeatureIC MarketsHantec MarketsWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsIC Markets
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsIC Markets
Biometric login✓✓Tie
Push notifications✓✓Tie
Full charting on mobile✓✓Tie
TradingView mobile✗✗Tie
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourceIC MarketsHantec MarketsWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)✗MonthlyTie
Economic calendar✓✓Tie
Market analysisDailyBasicIC Markets
⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
IC Markets
☆☆☆☆☆
—
54,430 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
Hantec Markets
☆☆☆☆☆
—
4,000 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

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
👤

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
❓

FAQ - IC Markets vs Hantec Markets in Portugal

Is IC Markets or Hantec Markets better for Portugal?

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Can Portugal traders use both brokers legally?

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Which broker has lower spreads for Portugal traders?

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How do Portugal traders deposit at IC Markets and Hantec Markets?

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Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Portugal?

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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.

Open IC MarketsOpen Hantec Markets
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.
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Score Summary
IC Markets 3.6/5
Hantec Markets 3.6/5
Full Reviews
Full IC Markets Review →Full Hantec Markets Review →
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