In this side-by-side, Alpari International and Hantec Markets compare on regulation, costs, and platforms. The tension centers on protection versus access.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Alpari International if you value a 26-year brand history. You get a mature PAMM investor platform.
Choose if…
Choose Hantec Markets if you want top-tier regulation from FCA and JFSA. You can benefit from no minimum deposit on the Professional ECN account.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Pros
26-year brand history in retail forex
Mature PAMM investor platform, one of the originals
ECN accounts with $6 per-lot commission competitive with top ECN desks
Wide geographic reach across CIS, MENA, and Africa
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.9/5 and Hantec Markets rates 4.1/5. Hantec Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both Alpari International and Hantec Markets start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
Hantec Markets has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes Hantec Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Hantec Markets holds top-tier regulation (JFSA, FCA, FSA Seychelles), providing stronger investor protections. Alpari International may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
Hantec Markets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while Hantec Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Both Alpari International and Hantec Markets charge the same commission of $6 per lot on applicable accounts.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Hantec Markets supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
Hantec Markets earns best for safety and regulation due to FCA/JFSA oversight and compensation protections.
Both brokers offer equivalent ECN conditions including raw spread accounts, commissions, and spread levels.
Hantec Markets is best for beginners due to no minimum deposit on ECN accounts and protections.
Hantec Markets offers a broader instrument lineup with 300 products.
Hantec Markets is best for active traders due to zero minimum deposit on ECN and 0.0 pip spreads.
Equally matched.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $6/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA FSC | JFSA FCA FSA Seychelles |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
FCA (502635) and JFSA dual regulation - rare combination at retail level
No minimum deposit on Professional ECN account
Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips at $6 round-turn commission
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
Strong Japanese-language service infrastructure for East Asian traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
FSC Mauritius licence, lower investor protection than FCA/ASIC/CySEC
Legacy of UK entity collapse in 2015 is a cautionary reference point
No top-tier regulatory licence for its core international client base
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Limited brand recognition outside Japan and the UK
No cTrader or TradingView integration
Research and educational content minimal
MT4 and MT5 only - no alternative platforms
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Hantec Markets offers top-tier regulation and compensation coverage, while Alpari International operates under FSC Mauritius oversight.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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