Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Earn, 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.
Established in 2010, HFM holds a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, indicating a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. Despite not being a publicly traded company or a bank, HFM is regarded as reliable, carrying two Tier-1 licenses considered highly trusted and three Tier-2 licenses considered trusted. This positions HFM as a solid choice for those looking for a dependable online broker.
Earn, founded in 1994, carries a Trust Score of 71, placing it at an average risk level on ForexBrokers.com’s scale. Although not listed on a stock exchange or a bank, Earn maintains one highly trusted Tier-1 license. However, it lacks Tier-2 licenses, which are often viewed as a favorable indicator of trust. When comparing both, HFM appears to provide a more reassuring credential profile for potential investors seeking assurance in their brokerage services.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1994 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
HFM’s commissions and fees land slightly above the industry average. On its Standard account, the broker cites a “typical” spread of 1.2 pips, but it doesn’t provide a date range, so the real average may be higher. Its Zero account lists an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, yet that figure is also not an average. These details point to potentially competitive pricing on the Zero account, but with limited transparency around sustained, time-weighted averages.
Earn, by contrast, does not publish average spread data, making its day‑to‑day trading costs harder to compare. Despite the data gaps, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, HFM is placed #32 out of 63 brokers, while Earn sits at #46 out of 63—suggesting HFM has a slight edge in this category.
If you’re weighing these two, HFM offers more pricing detail than Earn—especially on its commission-based Zero account—though neither provides verified average spread histories. Traders who value clear, time-stamped averages may want to test live quotes or a demo before deciding.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| 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 and Earn each offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and list 500 tradeable symbols. The main difference is depth in forex: HFM provides 102 currency pairs, while Earn lists 61. Neither broker offers direct access to exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international exchanges, so you can’t buy stocks like Apple or Vodafone outright.
Both platforms support copy trading and let you trade cryptocurrency via derivatives, but neither allows buying actual crypto. For range of investments, HFM earns 4 stars and ranks 37th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Earn scores 3.5 stars and ranks 46th. If forex variety matters, HFM has the edge; if you just need the essentials with copy trading and crypto derivatives, both fit the bill.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| 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.
HFM and Earn both cover the essentials for traders: free demo (paper) accounts, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), lets you trade directly from charts, and offers watchlists with seven fields. HFM adds a proprietary, in‑house platform, while Earn does not. Both support copy trading; ZuluTrade is available with Earn but not with HFM. DupliTrade, as well as the exact counts of technical indicators and drawing tools, were not specified by the source.
In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools ratings, both brokers earned 4 out of 5 stars. Among 63 brokers, HFM ranks #43 and Earn ranks #52. If you want an in‑house platform, HFM has the advantage; if ZuluTrade matters to you, Earn is the pick. Otherwise, their core platform coverage and chart-trading features are quite similar.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 35 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and Earn both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports real-time watchlists, price alerts, trendline drawing, multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and auto-saving of chart drawings. Charting depth is a key difference: HFM includes 30 technical studies, while Earn offers 35. Note that neither broker syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the web platform, so changes made on one won’t appear on the other.
User scores are even at 4 out of 5 stars for both HFM and Earn’s mobile trading apps. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks Earn higher in its Mobile Trading Apps category (#28 of 63) compared with HFM (#40 of 63). If you value a few extra indicators and a stronger category ranking, Earn edges ahead; if your needs are covered by core charting and alerts, either app can work well. Just keep in mind the lack of watchlist syncing on both.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
HFM and Earn both cover the essentials for market research: you get daily market commentary, top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and a clear economic calendar. The biggest differences show up in tools. HFM adds Autochartist for technical pattern ideas and a sentiment tool that displays long/short positioning across instruments, while Earn does not include these. Neither broker offers Trading Central. HFM does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools; details for Earn on TipRanks and Acuity Trading were not specified.
In independent reviews, HFM is rated 4 stars for Research and ranks 20th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Earn holds 3.5 stars and ranks 39th. If you want built-in pattern recognition and market sentiment, HFM has the edge; if your needs are daily commentary, timely news, and an economic calendar, both brokers deliver.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
HFM vs Earn for beginner education: HFM delivers far more structured learning for forex and CFD traders. It offers a full education library (10+ pieces), monthly client webinars, a searchable archive of past sessions, 10+ beginner videos, 10+ advanced videos, and an investor dictionary with 50+ terms. Earn does not meet these benchmarks: it lacks a 10+ piece forex/CFD library, does not host monthly webinars, has no searchable webinar archive, provides fewer than 10 beginner or advanced videos, and does not offer a large investor glossary.
The scores back this up. HFM is rated 4 stars and ranks #37 out of 63 brokers for Education on ForexBrokers.com, while Earn is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #63. For beginners seeking clear lessons, live sessions, and on-demand videos, HFM is the stronger choice. If education isn’t a priority and you need only basic materials, Earn may suffice.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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 Earn. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
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
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Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 71 |
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Both HFM and Earn allow users to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies for delivery.
Both online brokers, HFM and Earn, do not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transactions for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they do offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfer options.
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 | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Earn | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 [DELETED] | |||
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 35 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | |||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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