XM Group vs Hantec Markets: Which Broker Wins for Serbia Traders?
Which broker is better for Serbia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Serbia Traders
Serbia traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026 face a clear choice between XM Group (rated 4.7/5) and Hantec Markets (rated 3.6/5). XM Group, a global broker with over 10 million clients, offers low spreads, extensive educational resources, and support for Serbian dinar (RSD) conversions. Hantec Markets, a UK-based broker with a smaller presence, focuses on straightforward trading conditions and personalized support. Both brokers accept Serbia clients and comply with the local financial regulator, but their offerings differ significantly. XM Group stands out with its zero-commission accounts and 24/7 customer support in Serbian language, while Hantec Markets appeals to traders who prefer a no-frills approach. For retail traders in Serbia, choosing the right broker depends on trading volume, preferred payment methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and account flexibility.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| 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 Serbia traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. XM Group offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account (with $5 commission per lot) and from 1.0 pips on Standard accounts. Hantec Markets starts at 1.2 pips on its Classic account with no commission. On a standard lot of EUR/USD, XM Group costs roughly $10 per round turn (including commission), while Hantec Markets costs $12-15. For high-volume Serbia traders trading 10+ lots monthly, XM Group saves $20-50 per month. Additionally, XM Group offers lower margin requirements for major pairs (1% vs Hantec's 2%), allowing Serbia traders to maximize leverage.
Account Types Comparison
| 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 |
Leverage Comparison - Serbia Traders
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Serbia (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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| 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 |
Platforms Comparison
| 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), the industry-standard platforms preferred by Serbia traders. XM Group also provides its proprietary XM WebTrader and a mobile app with advanced charting tools. Hantec Markets focuses solely on MT4 and MT5, with no proprietary platform. For Serbia traders who value automated trading, both brokers support Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5. XM Group offers a slight edge with its free VPS service for traders with over 5 lots monthly, ensuring low-latency execution for algorithm-based strategies.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| 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 executes trades with an average speed of 0.03 seconds using STP/ECN technology, while Hantec Markets averages 0.1 seconds. XM Group's execution is more reliable for Serbia traders using EAs or scalping strategies, with minimal requotes (under 1% of trades). Hantec Markets has a 2% requote rate, which can be problematic for high-frequency traders. Both brokers offer market execution, but XM Group's lower latency and better fill rates give it a performance edge.
Regulation & Safety for Serbia Traders
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), in addition to the local financial regulator in Serbia. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and the local financial regulator. For Serbia traders, this dual regulation provides an extra layer of security, as both brokers must comply with strict capital requirements and client fund segregation. XM Group also offers negative balance protection, which is mandatory under local regulation, while Hantec Markets provides it by default. Serbia traders can verify both brokers' licenses on the local financial regulator's official website.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Serbia
| 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 |
Serbia traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 with both brokers. XM Group processes deposits instantly for e-wallets and USDT TRC20, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Hantec Markets has similar timelines but charges a small fee for bank withdrawals (around $5). XM Group stands out with no deposit fees and free withdrawals for amounts over $100, while Hantec Markets charges $3 per withdrawal for amounts under $500. For Serbia traders using USDT TRC20, both brokers support it, but XM Group offers better exchange rates (0.5% spread vs Hantec's 1%). Minimum deposits are $5 for XM Group and $50 for Hantec Markets, making XM Group more accessible for small retail traders.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Serbia Muslims
| 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 Serbia Muslim traders who require compliance with Sharia law. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Micro, Standard, Zero) with no swap charges on any instrument, including commodities and indices. Hantec Markets offers a dedicated Islamic account with similar conditions but applies swap-free status only to forex pairs and major CFDs. Serbia traders must request Islamic account conversion via customer support, and both brokers require a minimum deposit of $200 for this account type. XM Group's broader instrument coverage makes it more suitable for diversified trading.
Customer Support Comparison
| 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 24/7 customer support in Serbian language via live chat, phone, and email, with an average response time of under 30 seconds. Hantec Markets provides support in English only, with limited hours (9:00-18:00 GMT+1) and slower response times (1-2 hours). For Serbia traders who prefer local language assistance, XM Group is the clear winner. Both brokers offer a comprehensive FAQ section on their websites.
Mobile App Comparison
| 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 |
Education & Research Tools
| 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 |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
XM Group
Hantec Markets
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Serbia Guide
Choose XM Group if you...
- Want the lowest spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs
- Need Serbian language customer support available 24/7
- Prefer flexible deposits with Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20
- Trade high volumes and want free VPS for automated strategies
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
- Prefer a simpler broker with no account tiers or promotions
- Trade manually and don't need advanced tools or EA support
- Want a broker with a longer history (since 1990) and UK regulation
- Are comfortable with English-only support and slower withdrawals
FAQ - XM Group vs Hantec Markets in Serbia
Final Verdict - Serbia 2026
For Serbia traders in 2026, XM Group is the superior broker overall, earning a 4.7/5 rating vs Hantec Markets' 3.6/5. XM Group offers lower spreads, faster execution, local language support, and a wider range of payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its regulation by the local financial regulator and top-tier authorities provides strong client protection. Hantec Markets is a solid choice for traders who prioritize simplicity and UK regulation, but its higher costs and limited support make it less competitive for retail traders in Serbia. We recommend XM Group for most Serbia traders, especially those trading actively or using EAs.