Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When choosing between XM Group and Hantec Markets, Italian retail traders face a clear contrast in reputation, costs, and local service. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is a global leader with over 5 million clients, offering tight spreads, fast execution, and full support for Italian payment methods like SEPA and PostePay. In contrast, Hantec Markets, rated 3.6/5, is a smaller broker with a focus on long-term trading and Islamic accounts, but its higher spreads and limited local features make it less competitive for most Italian traders. Both brokers are regulated by CONSOB and accept Italian clients, but XM Group's stronger overall offering aligns better with the needs of active retail traders in Italy. This comparison highlights the key differences in trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you decide based on your specific trading style.
| 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 Italian traders, trading costs are a critical factor. XM Group offers a clear advantage with its Ultra Low account, starting from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD and a commission of just €3.50 per lot. Hantec Markets' standard account has floating spreads from 0.8 pips with no commission, but for high-volume traders, XM's lower spreads reduce costs significantly. On a typical 10-lot daily trade, XM saves Italian traders around €50 per day compared to Hantec Markets. Additionally, XM's zero-swap policy on Islamic accounts further lowers costs for Muslim traders, while Hantec Markets may apply fees after a holding period.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are the platforms of choice for Italian traders due to their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group also provides its proprietary XM WebTrader and mobile apps with Italian language support, while Hantec Markets focuses solely on MT4/MT5. For Italian traders who value flexibility and local language interfaces, XM's additional platforms are a plus. Both brokers support VPS hosting for algorithmic traders, but XM offers it free with a minimum deposit of €500, whereas Hantec Markets charges a monthly fee.
| 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 provides ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 0.7 seconds and no requotes, thanks to its STP/ECN model. Hantec Markets uses a market maker model, which can lead to slippage during volatile news events. For Italian day traders and scalpers, XM's execution quality is superior, ensuring orders fill at desired prices.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Italian traders must prioritize regulation, and both brokers meet CONSOB requirements. XM Group is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), and ASIC (Australia), providing strong investor protection through the ICF (up to €20,000) and negative balance protection. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA and FSCA, but its smaller scale means fewer resources for Italian client support. For Italian traders, XM's broader regulatory oversight ensures greater security, especially with CONSOB's strict MiFID II rules on leverage and client fund segregation.
| 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 |
Italian traders benefit from seamless deposits and withdrawals at both brokers, but XM Group excels with speed and variety. XM supports SEPA bank transfers (instant, free), PostePay (instant, no fee), credit/debit cards, and e-wallets like PayPal and Skrill. Minimum deposit is €5, and withdrawals are processed within 24 hours. Hantec Markets also supports SEPA and PostePay, but deposits take 1-2 business days for bank transfers, and the minimum deposit is €100. For withdrawals, Hantec Markets may take 2-3 business days. XM's faster processing and lower minimum make it more accessible for Italian retail traders.
| 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 |
Both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Italian Muslim traders, in compliance with Sharia law. XM Group provides these accounts on all account types (Micro, Standard, Ultra Low) with no extra fees or time limits, and swaps are waived automatically. Hantec Markets offers Islamic accounts on request, but after 30 days, a small administrative fee may apply on certain instruments. For Italian traders seeking a straightforward, cost-free swap-free experience, XM Group is the better option.
| 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 offers 24/5 customer support in Italian via live chat, phone, and email, with a dedicated Italian desk. Hantec Markets provides support in English and Arabic, with limited Italian language assistance through email. For Italian traders who prefer to communicate in their native language, XM's localized support is a significant advantage.
| 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 Italian retail traders, XM Group is the clear winner in this comparison, with a higher overall score (4.7/5 vs 3.6/5), lower costs, faster deposits via SEPA and PostePay, and robust CONSOB regulation. Hantec Markets may appeal to a niche audience seeking Islamic accounts or a smaller broker, but its higher spreads and slower local payment processing make it less suitable for most Italian traders. Ultimately, XM Group offers a more comprehensive and cost-effective trading experience tailored to Italy's local needs.