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

Singapore traders comparing Pepperstone vs Hantec Markets face a clear choice between two regulated forex brokers. Pepperstone, with a 4.9/5 rating, is a global ECN broker known for ultra-low spreads and fast execution, while Hantec Markets (3.6/5) is a smaller broker with competitive pricing and a focus on Asian clients. Both are authorized by the local financial regulator, giving Singapore traders legal protection. Pepperstone offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on Razor accounts, while Hantec Markets starts from 0.6 pips. Both support popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. For Singapore retail traders seeking low-cost trading and advanced platforms, Pepperstone is the stronger option. However, Hantec Markets may appeal to those preferring a simpler setup with fewer fees. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, deposits, and more to help you decide based on your trading style in Singapore.

| Instrument | Pepperstone | 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 | $0 | $1000 | Pepperstone |
| Inactivity fee | โ | โ | Tie |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are critical due to the competitive forex market. Pepperstone offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $7 round-turn commission per lot, making it ideal for high-volume scalpers. Hantec Markets provides fixed spreads from 0.6 pips on standard accounts with no commission, but costs can be higher during volatile sessions. On a typical $10,000 trade, Pepperstone's total cost is about $7 per lot, while Hantec Markets costs around $6-10 depending on spread widening. Singapore traders trading 10+ lots per month will save significantly with Pepperstone's tighter spreads.
| Account Type | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | โ | โ |
| ECN / Raw spread | โ | โ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | โ | โ |
| Demo account | โ | โ |
| PAMM / MAM account | โ | โ |
| Zero spread account | โ | โ |
| Copy trading | โ | โ |
| VPS trading | โ | โ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $1000 |
| Neg. balance protection | โ | โ |
| Entity / Asset | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Pepperstone |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | โ | โ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | โ | โ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Pepperstone |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | โ | Pepperstone |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | โ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | โ | โ | Tie |
| Options | โ | โ | Tie |
| Futures | โ | โ | Tie |
| Platform | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | โ | โ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | โ | โ |
| cTrader | โ | โ |
| TradingView | โ Exclusive | โ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | โ | โ |
| Scalping allowed | โ | โ |
| Hedging allowed | โ | โ |
| Fixed spreads | โ | โ |
| Variable spreads | โ | โ |
Pepperstone offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView, giving Singapore traders flexibility for algorithmic trading and advanced charting. Hantec Markets provides MT4 and MT5 only. For Singapore traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or need depth of market, Pepperstone's cTrader is a strong advantage. Both platforms are available on desktop, web, and mobile. Pepperstone also supports copy trading via DupliTrade, while Hantec Markets lacks this feature. Singapore traders should choose based on their preferred interface: Pepperstone for variety, Hantec for simplicity.
| Factor | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Pepperstone |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | โ | โ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | โ | โ | Tie |
| News trading | โ | โ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | โ | โ | Tie |
Pepperstone uses Equinix NY4 servers for ultra-low latency execution, averaging under 30ms for Asian markets. Hantec Markets uses LD4 servers in London, resulting in slightly higher latency for Singapore traders (around 50-60ms). Pepperstone's ECN model ensures no requotes, while Hantec Markets may experience slippage during news events. For scalpers and day traders in Singapore, Pepperstone's execution is superior.
| Safety Factor | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Reg number | #684312 | #502635 |
| Verify registration | Verify โ | Verify โ |
| Top-tier regulated | โ | โ |
| Investor protection | โ | โ |
| Segregated funds | โ | โ |
| Neg. balance protection | โ | โ |
Both Pepperstone and Hantec Markets are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring compliance with Singapore's strict financial laws. Pepperstone holds additional licenses from FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CySEC, offering extra layers of investor protection. Hantec Markets is regulated by the local financial regulator and FSA (Japan). For Singapore traders, this means both brokers segregate client funds and adhere to leverage limits (typically 1:30 for retail). Pepperstone's multi-regulator oversight provides stronger dispute resolution, while Hantec's local focus ensures familiarity with Singapore's trading environment.
| Payment Method | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | โ | โ |
| Visa / Mastercard | โ | โ |
| Skrill | โ | โ |
| Neteller | โ | โ |
| USDT / Crypto | โ | โ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | Same business day if submitted before 07:00 AEST; otherwise next business day; bank wire several days | Cards/e-wallets instant-minutes; crypto 1-3h; bank wire 2-4 business days (some sources cite up to 7); internal processing as fast as 5 min, cutoff 14:00 GMT |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Singapore traders can fund both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Pepperstone also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Hantec Markets includes local bank transfers. Minimum deposits are $200 for Pepperstone and $100 for Hantec Markets. Deposits via e-wallets and USDT are instant, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but Hantec Markets may apply a small withdrawal fee for certain methods. Pepperstone offers fee-free withdrawals for most methods, making it more cost-effective for frequent traders in Singapore.
| Islamic Account Feature | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | โ | โ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | โ | โ |
| Gold swap-free | โ | โ |
| Crypto swap-free | โ | โ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Pepperstone and Hantec Markets both offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders. Pepperstone provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Razor, Standard, and cTrader), while Hantec Markets offers them only on standard accounts. Both accounts do not charge overnight interest, but Pepperstone may charge an administration fee after holding positions for more than 10 days. Hantec Markets has a similar policy after 14 days. Singapore traders seeking flexibility should choose Pepperstone for access to multiple platforms on Islamic accounts.
| Support Feature | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | โ | โ | Tie |
| Phone support | โ | โ | Tie |
| Email support | โ | โ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | โ | โ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | โ | โ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Pepperstone |
Pepperstone offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Singapore phone line. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support in English and Mandarin. Pepperstone's response times are faster (under 1 minute on live chat), while Hantec Markets may take up to 5 minutes. Both brokers have local support teams familiar with Singapore trading conditions.
| Mobile Feature | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5โ | 4.3โ | Pepperstone |
| Google Play rating | 4.3โ | 4.2โ | Pepperstone |
| Biometric login | โ | โ | Tie |
| Push notifications | โ | โ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | โ | โ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | โ | โ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | โ | โ | Pepperstone |
| Dark mode | โ | โ | Tie |
| Resource | Pepperstone | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Pepperstone |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | โ | โ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Pepperstone |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | Pepperstone |
Choose Pepperstone if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Singapore traders, Pepperstone is the clear winner with a 4.9/5 rating compared to Hantec Markets' 3.6/5. Pepperstone offers lower spreads, faster execution, more platforms, and better deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Both are regulated by the local financial regulator, but Pepperstone's multi-regulator oversight adds security. While Hantec Markets has lower minimum deposits and fixed spreads, Pepperstone's overall value for active traders is unmatched. For most Singapore retail traders, Pepperstone is the recommended choice for cost-effective and reliable forex trading in 2026.