Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Axi, 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.
HFM, established in 2010, and Axi, which started in 2007, are both well-regarded online brokers that aren't publicly traded and don't operate as banks. They each maintain 2 Tier-1 licenses, which indicates a high level of trust among regulators and clients alike. While both brokers share similarities in their operational structure, their regulatory standings slightly differ.
HFM holds a Trust Score of 86, categorizing it as trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. In addition to its Tier-1 licenses, HFM boosts its credibility with 3 Tier-2 licenses. Axi, meanwhile, earns a Trust Score of 82 and carries 1 Tier-2 license. This comparison shows HFM with a slight edge in regulatory trust measures, offering a broader base of regulatory compliance than Axi.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, HFM discloses more about its pricing than Axi, though the picture isn’t complete. HFM says its Standard account typically shows a 1.2‑pip spread, but it doesn’t provide a date range, so the true average could be higher. Its Zero account lists an effective 0.7‑pip spread after commission, yet this figure also isn’t an average. For Axi, average spread data isn’t available, making a direct, like‑for‑like comparison difficult.
For ratings, both brokers score 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees rankings, HFM places #32 out of 63 brokers, while Axi ranks #44 out of 63. If you want some published spread figures and the option of a commission-based account, HFM provides headline numbers; if you need verified average spreads over time, neither broker supplies complete historical averages, and Axi provides even less transparency on this front.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.2 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
HFM and Axi both support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. HFM lists 500 tradeable symbols, including 102 currency pairs, while Axi offers 175 symbols and 65 pairs. Neither broker lets you buy exchange-traded shares directly on U.S. or international exchanges. Both provide copy trading, and both let you speculate on digital assets via cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither supports buying actual crypto.
For range of investments, HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #37 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Axi scores 3.5 stars and ranks #57. In short, HFM supplies a broader selection for most traders, while Axi covers the core markets with fewer choices.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 175 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 65 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
HFM and Axi both cover the essentials for everyday traders: each offers a free demo account for paper trading, web-based and Windows desktop platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. The key differences are in platform range—HFM adds a proprietary, in-house platform and supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Axi does not offer a proprietary platform and does not support MT5.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, HFM earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #43 with ForexBrokers.com, while Axi is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #64. If you want MT5 or an extra broker-built platform alongside MT4, HFM has the edge. If MT4 and copy trading with web and desktop access meet your needs, either broker can work well.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing HFM vs Axi for mobile trading, both brokers deliver iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, 30 built-in technical studies, and the ability to draw trendlines on forex and stock charts. One notable limitation for both is the lack of watchlist syncing between the mobile app and your online account, so changes made in one place won’t carry over.
The key difference is chart drawings: HFM’s app auto-saves your annotations, while Axi’s app does not. That may matter if you rely on saved lines and notes across sessions. HFM also earns a higher score for Mobile Trading Apps with 4 stars and ranks #40 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with Axi’s 3.5 stars and #60 ranking. If saved chart work and overall app rating are priorities, HFM has the edge; if you only need core tools and alerts, both apps cover the basics.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing the market research suites at online brokers HFM and Axi: HFM includes daily market commentary, while Axi does not. Both brokers stream forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Each offers Autochartist for research ideas, but neither integrates Trading Central. You’ll find a sentiment tool at both brokers that shows the long/short ratio across instruments, plus an economic calendar covering upcoming global events. HFM does not provide research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading; for Axi, the availability of TipRanks and Acuity Trading research is not clearly indicated.
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, HFM earned 4 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #20 of 63 brokers, while Axi earned 3 stars and ranks #56. If you value daily commentary alongside core tools like Autochartist, sentiment data, and an economic calendar, HFM has the edge; if you only need the essentials and news headlines, Axi may suffice.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Acuity Trading | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
HFM and Axi both cater well to beginner traders with accessible learning tools. Each broker offers at least 10 beginner-friendly trading videos and holds monthly educational webinars, giving newcomers a steady stream of guidance and chances to ask questions live. This makes either platform a practical starting point for learning core concepts in forex and CFD trading.
Where they differ is in depth as you progress. HFM adds 10+ advanced video lessons for when you’re ready to move beyond the basics, while Axi does not. In ratings, HFM earns 4 stars for Education versus Axi’s 3 stars. However, in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category rankings out of 63 brokers, Axi sits higher at #27, while HFM is #37. Choose HFM if you want a clearer path from beginner to advanced; choose Axi if a higher category placement matters more to you.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Axi
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
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 Axi. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Axi finished with an overall rank of #49.
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 |
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Axi
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| Trust Score | 86 | 82 |
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In the HFM vs Axi comparison for cryptocurrency trading, neither online broker supports purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Both online brokers HFM and Axi do not support ACH/SEPA transfers for deposits or withdrawals; HFM supports Skrill and bank wire transfers but not PayPal, while Axi’s availability for PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires is not specified.
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 | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Axi | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 82 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 175 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 65 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.2 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Axi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | HFM | Axi | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 82 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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