In this matchup, Hantec Markets and Interactive Brokers square off over regulation, fees, and platforms, highlighting tension between raw ECN pricing and expansive market access.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Hantec Markets if you want MT4/MT5 access with raw ECN pricing from 0.0 pips at $6 per round-turn. You also trade across a 300-instrument universe.
Choose if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want a proprietary platform (TWS). You gain access to 17,000 instruments.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Hantec Markets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | 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 | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Interactive Brokers rates 4.6/5 versus 4.1/5 for Hantec Markets. Interactive Brokers edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Hantec Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than Interactive Brokers's 0.2 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither Hantec Markets nor Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Hantec Markets and Interactive Brokers hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Hantec Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 50:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per lot, lower than Hantec Markets's $6 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Hantec Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Hantec Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS) and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Hantec Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.20 pips for Interactive Brokers, reducing trading costs.
Interactive Brokers earns the edge with broad, multi-jurisdictional regulation and segregated funds.
Interactive Brokers wins for active traders thanks to 17,000 instruments and the TWS platform.
Interactive Brokers is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($2/lot).
Interactive Brokers wins with a proprietary platform (TWS) and mobile/web options.
Hantec Markets is better for beginners due to MT4/MT5 familiarity and simpler setup.
Interactive Brokers leads with 17,000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 1978 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Greenwich, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.2 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $2/lot▼ lower |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 50:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | First withdrawal/month free |
|---|
| Regulators | JFSA FCA FSA Seychelles | ASIC JFSA AMF FCA SFC IIROC DFSA MFSA CNB CMVM CBI SEBI CMF NFA SEC CNV FSC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | Trader Workstation (TWS) Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
Available to US residents
Lowest margin rates in industry
150+ global markets
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
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
Cons
Steeper learning curve on TWS
No MT4 / MT5
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
Interactive Brokers edges Hantec Markets on overall score due to breadth of instruments and a proprietary platform.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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