Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Philippines traders looking to enter the forex market in 2026, choosing between XM Group and Hantec Markets can be a critical decision. XM Group, with a strong 4.7/5 rating, is a globally recognized broker known for its low spreads, extensive educational resources, and user-friendly MT4/MT5 platforms. Hantec Markets, rated 3.6/5, offers a more traditional trading environment with FCA regulation and a focus on reliability. In the Philippines, where mobile-first trading is growing among OFWs and remittance investors, XM Group stands out with its support for local payment methods like GCash, PayMaya, and USDT, alongside bank transfers. Hantec Markets, while regulated, lacks these local payment integrations. Both brokers are not directly regulated by the SEC Philippines but operate legally as international brokers. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading needs, whether you prioritize low costs, local payments, or regulatory protection.
| 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 Philippines traders, trading costs are a major factor. XM Group offers lower spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero account and 1.0 pips on standard accounts for EUR/USD, with no hidden commissions on most accounts. Hantec Markets typically has spreads from 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with some commission-based accounts. Over 100 lots traded per month, XM Group can save Filipino traders thousands of pesos in spread costs. Additionally, XM Group has no deposit or withdrawal fees for local methods, while Hantec Markets may charge bank transfer fees. For high-volume traders, XM Group’s cost advantage is clear.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (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 essential for Philippines traders who prefer mobile trading. XM Group also provides a web trader platform and supports copy trading via its XM Social Trading feature. Hantec Markets offers MT4 and its own Hantec Trader platform, but lacks advanced copy trading tools. For mobile-first traders in the Philippines, XM Group’s seamless mobile apps and social trading integration make it more suitable. Both platforms are available in English and Tagalog-friendly interfaces, but XM Group’s additional resources like video tutorials and market analysis give it an edge.
| 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 |
Execution quality matters for scalpers and day traders in the Philippines. XM Group uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with average execution speeds under 0.5 seconds and no requotes on most accounts. Hantec Markets also uses NDD execution but has slightly slower speeds around 0.8 seconds. XM Group’s faster execution reduces slippage, especially during high-volatility news events. For Philippines traders trading major pairs like USD/PHP, XM Group’s execution is more consistent.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is crucial for Philippines traders. XM Group is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), and ASIC (Australia), offering strong investor protection. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and VFSC (Vanuatu), which is less stringent. Neither broker is directly regulated by the SEC Philippines, but they can accept Filipino clients as international brokers. For Philippines traders, XM Group’s multi-regulation provides higher security, including negative balance protection and compensation schemes. Hantec Markets’ FCA regulation is also reputable, but its VFSC oversight is weaker. Always verify the legal status with local authorities.
| 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 |
Philippines traders have clear advantages with XM Group for deposits and withdrawals. XM Group supports GCash, PayMaya, local bank transfers (BPI, BDO, Metrobank), and USDT (Tether) with instant processing and no fees. Minimum deposit is just $5 via GCash. Hantec Markets accepts bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and some e-wallets like Skrill, but does not directly support GCash, PayMaya, or USDT. Withdrawals at XM Group are processed within 24 hours, while Hantec Markets can take 1-3 business days. For OFW remittance investors who need fast, low-cost access, XM Group is the clear winner. Always use verified payment channels for safety.
| 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 XM Group and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Philippines Muslim traders. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types—Micro, Standard, and Zero—with no swap fees on overnight positions. Hantec Markets also offers swap-free accounts but requires a formal request after account opening, and it may take time to activate. XM Group’s Islamic accounts are available immediately and comply with Sharia law, making them more accessible for Filipino Muslim traders. Both brokers do not charge extra fees for these accounts.
| 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 |
Customer support is vital for Philippines traders. XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English and Tagalog, with fast response times. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, but limited phone hours and no Tagalog support. XM Group also has a comprehensive FAQ and educational center in Filipino-friendly formats. For mobile-first traders needing quick assistance, XM Group’s multilingual support is more reliable.
| 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 Philippines traders in 2026, XM Group is the superior choice over Hantec Markets. With a higher rating (4.7/5), lower spreads, and support for local payment methods like GCash, PayMaya, and USDT, XM Group meets the needs of mobile-first traders and OFW remittance investors. Hantec Markets (3.6/5) offers FCA regulation but lacks local payment integration and has higher costs. While not regulated by SEC Philippines, both brokers operate legally. For the best combination of cost, convenience, and features, XM Group is recommended for most Filipino traders.