Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Alpari, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing HFM and Alpari, it's important to consider their regulatory standings and trustworthiness in the online brokerage industry. HFM, which was founded in 2010, holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, placing it in the trusted category. It offers clients reassurance with two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, signaling a strong level of regulatory oversight. Although not a publicly traded company or a bank, HFM's licensing positions it as a reliable option for traders.
On the other hand, Alpari, established in 1998, presents a different profile. It is also not publicly traded and lacks bank status. Alpari holds a Trust Score of 68, which indicates a higher risk compared to HFM. With no Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, traders may find Alpari's regulatory coverage less compelling. This difference in licensing and trust scores can significantly impact the confidence level investors might have when choosing between these two brokers.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1998 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
HFM and Alpari both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but HFM ranks higher in ForexBrokers.com’s category list. HFM is #32 out of 63 brokers, while Alpari is #42 out of 63. If you’re comparing these two on costs alone, HFM has a slight edge in the rankings, even though both share the same star rating.
HFM’s trading costs are slightly above the industry average. The broker cites a typical 1.2-pip spread on standard accounts, but there’s no date range, so the real average could be higher. Its Zero account shows an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, though that figure is also not an average. For Alpari, average spread data isn’t available, which makes direct price comparisons harder. If low trading costs are your priority, consider HFM’s published figures as a starting point and verify both brokers’ current spreads and commissions in live or demo conditions.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
HFM vs Alpari: When it comes to the range of investments, HFM lists 500 tradeable symbols and 102 forex pairs, while Alpari offers 105 symbols and 46 pairs. Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs or spot, and both offer copy trading. For crypto, each provides access through derivatives, not actual coins. Neither broker lets you buy U.S.-listed shares outright (non-CFD), but Alpari does offer certain international exchange-traded shares, whereas HFM does not.
Based on ForexBrokers.com, HFM earns 4 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 37th, while Alpari holds 3 stars and ranks 64th. If you want a wider selection of forex pairs and overall instruments, HFM is the stronger choice. If owning select international shares matters, Alpari has that option.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 105 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Comparing HFM vs Alpari for trading platforms and tools, both brokers check the key boxes: free demo (paper) trading, proprietary platforms, Windows desktop and web platforms, copy trading, and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Each lets you place trades directly from charts and offers watchlists with seven fields. Neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
If you care about charting, HFM offers 30 drawing tools compared with Alpari’s 15. Both earn 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, yet HFM holds a higher category ranking from ForexBrokers.com (#43 of 63) than Alpari (#56 of 63). For many traders, that edge—plus the extra charting tools—may make HFM the more appealing pick, while Alpari remains a comparable alternative with similar core features.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and Alpari both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android with price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and solid charting. Each app includes 30 technical studies, drawing tools for trendlines, and multiple time frames for analysis. Neither app supports syncing watchlist symbols with the online account, but HFM stands out by auto‑saving chart drawings, while Alpari does not.
Both apps earn 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, HFM ranks #40 out of 63 brokers, ahead of Alpari at #57. If auto‑saved drawings and a higher category rank matter to you, HFM may appeal more; if you just need core chart tools and alerts on iOS or Android, both apps cover the basics well.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
HFM outpaces Alpari for market research. HFM holds a 4-star research rating and ranks #20 of 63 at ForexBrokers.com, while Alpari is rated 3 stars and ranks #58. HFM stands out with daily market commentary and a sentiment tool that shows the share of long versus short positions. Both brokers deliver forex news from top-tier sources (such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones), provide an economic calendar, and include Autochartist tools for trade ideas. Neither offers Trading Central.
For other third-party research, HFM does not include TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading/Signal Centre; Alpari’s availability of TipRanks or Acuity Trading was not specified in the information provided. If you want daily insights and sentiment data alongside headline news and a calendar, HFM is the stronger choice. If you mainly need news, Autochartist, and an economic calendar, Alpari covers the essentials.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners venturing into the world of online trading, both HFM and Alpari offer educational resources, but there are notable differences in what they provide. HFM is committed to helping newcomers by offering a variety of educational pieces such as articles, videos, and webinars, exceeding the minimum threshold of 10 materials focused on forex and CFDs trading. Alpari matches this with its own set of educational content but does not extend this support to live webinars. In contrast, HFM conducts online educational webinars every month and provides access to a searchable archive of these sessions, helping traders access valuable information at their convenience. While both brokers offer over 10 beginner-focused educational videos, HFM advances its support with a series of videos tailored for experienced traders, which Alpari does not offer.
Both companies provide investor dictionaries featuring over 50 terms, ensuring that beginners can better understand the trading jargon. Ratings from ForexBrokers.com reveal that HFM is positioned at 37th for education among 63 brokers, earning a commendable 4-star rating, while Alpari is ranked 48th with a 3-star rating. These distinctions highlight HFM's edge in offering more comprehensive educational support for those just starting their trading journey. Overall, while Alpari provides essential materials for new traders, HFM demonstrates a more expansive commitment to educating its clientele with a variety of resources and continued learning opportunities.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that HFM is better than Alpari. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Alpari finished with an overall rank of #58.
Alongside its enhanced MetaTrader offering and quality research, HFM (HF Markets), previously known as HotForex, offers a proprietary copy trading platform, HFcopy, a proprietary HF mobile app, and a decent selection of over 1,000 CFDs and 47 forex pairs. Still, trading costs at HFM are slightly above the industry average.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Alpari
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 68 |
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While neither HFM nor Alpari provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both HFM and Alpari do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for transactions, but they both offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing and withdrawing account funds.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | HFM | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Alpari | |
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| Regulation | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 68 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1998 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 105 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Alpari | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | HFM | Alpari | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 68 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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