Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs HFM, 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.
CMC Markets and HFM are well-known online brokers with different profiles. CMC Markets, founded in 1989, is publicly traded and not a bank. HFM, founded in 2010, is privately held and not a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets holds a Trust Score of 99/99 (90–99 = highly trusted), while HFM scores 85/99 (80–89 = trusted).
In terms of regulation, CMC Markets holds 6 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, whereas HFM holds 2 Tier-1 and 3 Tier-2 licenses. ForexBrokers.com considers Tier-1 regulators highly trusted and Tier-2 trusted. This means CMC Markets has a broader top-tier regulatory footprint, while HFM still offers solid, trusted oversight.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
CMC Markets stands out for commissions and fees, with low trading costs available across all account types and customer groups. It offers average EUR/USD spreads of about 0.61 pips, and its FX Active pricing can bring the all-in cost down to 0.5 pips on the EUR/USD after commission. For commissions and fees, CMC Markets is rated 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
HFM’s pricing is a bit less competitive, with trading costs slightly above the industry average. Its standard account typically shows a spread of 1.2 pips, while the Zero account can reach an effective 0.7 pips after commission, though that is not an average figure. For commissions and fees, HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked #28 out of 36 brokers.
Overall, CMC Markets is the stronger choice if low fees are your top priority. It has tighter spreads, more pricing options, and a better track record for keeping costs down, while HFM is still reasonable but generally more expensive for everyday trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, CMC Markets gives traders far more choice than HFM. CMC Markets offers 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, while HFM provides 344 symbols and 38 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, and both offer copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. However, neither broker lets you buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
CMC Markets also stands out for access to real exchange traded shares, including U.S. stocks like Apple and international shares such as Vodafone, while HFM does not offer non-CFD exchange traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges. Based on ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 36 for Range of Investments, compared with HFM’s 4 stars and #28 ranking, making CMC Markets the stronger pick for investors who want a wider market selection.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 344 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 38 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | 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.
CMC Markets and HFM both give traders a wide choice of platforms and tools, making either broker a solid option for active trading. Each offers a free demo account for paper trading, a proprietary platform, Windows desktop software, web-based access, copy trading, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both also let you trade directly from a chart, which can be helpful if you like placing trades while watching price moves in real time.
Where CMC Markets stands out is in independent ratings: it earns 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #33. In simple terms, both brokers cover the key platform features most traders look for, but CMC Markets gets the edge for its overall platform and tools offering.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 38 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and HFM both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each app includes price alerts plus the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Both platforms also auto-save chart drawings, which makes it easier to pick up where you left off. For everyday mobile trading features, the two brokers cover the basics well.
Where CMC Markets stands out is in app quality and charting depth. Its mobile app supports watchlist symbol syncing, so changes made on your phone carry over to your online account, while HFM does not offer this feature. CMC Markets also provides 29 technical studies versus just 5 at HFM, and it earns a 5-star Mobile Trading Apps rating and a #5 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with HFM’s 4-star rating and #32 ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 5 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and HFM both give traders a strong set of market research tools. Each broker offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist tools, sentiment data showing long and short positions, and an economic calendar with global events. Neither broker includes Trading Central or TipRanks, but HFM does add research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which CMC Markets does not offer.
When it comes to research quality, CMC Markets has the edge. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Research category, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #18. Overall, both brokers cover the basics well, but CMC Markets stands out as the better choice for market research.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn forex and CFDs, CMC Markets has a clear edge over HFM in education. Both brokers offer at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so each gives new traders and more experienced users useful video-based learning. CMC Markets also earns a top 5-star Education rating and ranks #10 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, which points to a stronger overall learning experience for new traders.
HFM still provides helpful educational material, including forex or CFDs education and monthly online client webinars, which CMC Markets does not offer. That makes HFM a solid choice for traders who value live learning sessions. However, with a 4-star Education rating and a #29 ranking, HFM falls behind CMC Markets for beginners who want more highly rated and better-ranked educational support.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than HFM. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
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HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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In the CMC Markets vs HFM comparison, both online brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading but do not support buying actual (delivered) crypto.
CMC Markets vs HFM: For deposits and withdrawals, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers, while HFM supports Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | CMC Markets | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | HFM | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 344 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 38 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | 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 | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 38 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 5 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | HFM Review |
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