Which broker is better for Israel traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Israel, choosing between XM Group and Hantec Markets involves evaluating trading costs, local payment convenience, and regulatory safety. XM Group, with a score of 4.7/5, offers tighter spreads, faster execution, and broader support for Israeli traders, including Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in ILS. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, provides a reliable platform but with higher costs and less local optimization. Neither broker is regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), so traders must consider offshore entities. This comparison highlights key differences in spreads, Islamic accounts, and deposit methods to help Israeli traders make an informed decision.
| Instrument | XM Group | 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 | $5 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For Israeli traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for high-volume forex trading. XM Group offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account and a commission of $7 per lot, making it cost-effective for scalping. Hantec Markets' spreads start at 1.2 pips on standard accounts with no commission, but this results in higher costs per trade. Over 100 lots, XM Group saves traders approximately $500 in spreads compared to Hantec Markets. Additionally, XM Group has no hidden fees for Israeli clients, while Hantec Markets charges inactivity fees after 6 months.
| Account Type | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Israel (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the preferred platforms for Israeli traders due to their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group also provides a proprietary web trader platform with Hebrew language support, while Hantec Markets focuses solely on MT4/MT5. For Israeli traders who value mobile trading, XM Group's app is optimized for local connectivity, offering faster order execution. Hantec Markets' platforms are reliable but lack local server infrastructure, which may cause slight latency for Israeli users.
| Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
XM Group offers market execution with no requotes and average execution speeds of 0.2 seconds, ideal for Israeli scalpers. Hantec Markets uses instant execution, which can lead to requotes during volatile markets. XM Group's servers in London and New York provide lower latency for Israeli traders compared to Hantec Markets' single server location. For experienced retail traders in Israel, XM Group's execution is superior.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither XM Group nor Hantec Markets is regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), which means Israeli traders do not receive local investor protection. XM Group is regulated by CySEC (EU) and FCA (UK), while Hantec Markets is regulated by FCA and FSA. For Israeli traders, this means funds are held in segregated accounts but not covered by ISA compensation schemes. Both brokers offer negative balance protection, which is crucial for leveraged trading. Traders should confirm the specific entity serving Israeli residents and understand the jurisdiction's regulatory framework.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several 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 |
Israeli traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer and Credit Card with both brokers. XM Group supports instant Credit Card deposits with no fees and Bank Transfer in ILS, typically processed within 1 business day. Withdrawals are free and processed within 24 hours. Hantec Markets accepts Credit Card and Bank Transfer but charges a 1% fee on bank wire withdrawals and takes 2-3 business days. Minimum deposits are $5 for XM Group (via Credit Card) and $50 for Hantec Markets. XM Group also supports popular local e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, which are widely used in Israel.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | 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 |
For Muslim traders in Israel, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. XM Group provides instant swap-free status on Standard and Zero accounts with no interest charges on overnight positions. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts but requires a manual approval process and may limit certain trading strategies. XM Group's Islamic accounts have no holding period, while Hantec Markets may restrict long-term positions. Traders should declare their faith to qualify. Overall, XM Group offers more flexibility for Israeli Muslim traders.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group provides 24/5 multilingual customer support in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, with live chat, phone, and email options. Hantec Markets offers 24/5 support in English only, which may be a barrier for Hebrew-speaking traders. XM Group's local phone number for Israel ensures faster response times. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections, but XM Group's support is more accessible for Israeli clients.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For experienced retail traders in Israel, XM Group is the clear winner with a score of 4.7/5 compared to Hantec Markets' 3.6/5. XM Group offers tighter spreads, faster execution, and better local payment support via Bank Transfer and Credit Card in ILS. While both brokers lack ISA regulation, XM Group's superior customer service in Hebrew and flexible Islamic accounts make it more suitable for Israeli traders. Hantec Markets may appeal to those who prioritize FCA regulation and fixed spreads, but its higher costs and limited local features put it at a disadvantage. For most Israeli traders, XM Group provides a more cost-effective and user-friendly trading experience.