Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Romania's forex market is growing fast, with retail traders seeking reliable, low-cost brokers. IC Markets (rated 4.8/5) and Hantec Markets (rated 3.6/5) are two popular choices, but they cater to different trader profiles. IC Markets is a global ECN broker known for ultra-low spreads and fast execution, while Hantec Markets offers a more traditional, relationship-focused service. Both accept Romanian clients, support Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill deposits, and are regulated by ASF Romania. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods to help you decide which broker suits your trading style.
| 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 Romania traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a $3.50 commission per lot, while Hantec Markets offers spreads from 0.8 pips with no commission. On a standard 10-lot trade, IC Markets costs $35 in commission, while Hantec Markets costs $80 in spread – a $45 saving per trade for IC Markets. For high-volume Romanian traders, IC Markets is clearly more cost-effective.
| 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 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (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 |
| 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 |
| Platform | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader – all popular with Romanian traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and EA support. Hantec Markets offers MT4 and a proprietary web platform. For Romanian traders who use EAs or trade on mobile, IC Markets’ platform range is superior. Both platforms are available in Romanian language.
| 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 offers ECN execution with average speeds of 40ms, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Hantec Markets uses STP execution with speeds around 100ms. For Romanian traders who prioritize fast, reliable order execution – especially during volatile market hours – IC Markets has a clear edge.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by ASF Romania, ensuring client protection and compliance with local laws. IC Markets also holds licenses from ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), providing additional oversight. Hantec Markets is regulated by ASF and the FCA (UK). For Romania traders, ASF regulation means segregated client accounts and negative balance protection. IC Markets’ multiple licenses offer an extra layer of security.
| 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 |
Romania traders can fund accounts via Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill at both brokers. IC Markets processes deposits instantly with no fees, while Hantec Markets may charge up to 2% for credit card deposits. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours; Hantec Markets takes 1-3 business days. Minimum deposit is $200 for IC Markets and $500 for Hantec Markets. Both support RON deposits via Bank Transfer.
| 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 Romanian Muslim traders. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts with no swap fees on all instruments, available on request. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts but may apply a small administrative fee after a holding period. Romanian traders should confirm terms with both brokers before opening an Islamic account.
| 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 support via live chat, email, and phone, with Romanian language available. Hantec Markets provides support during European business hours via email and phone, with Romanian support available on request. For Romanian traders who need after-hours assistance, IC Markets is the better choice.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For most Romania traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating vs Hantec Markets’ 3.6/5. IC Markets offers lower spreads (from 0.0 pips), faster execution (40ms), more platforms, and lower minimum deposits ($200). Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill deposits, and are regulated by ASF Romania. However, IC Markets’ cost advantage and platform flexibility make it the better choice for the growing Romanian retail trading community. Hantec Markets may suit traders who prefer a boutique service with FCA regulation, but for active traders, IC Markets is the superior option.