Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Eightcap, 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 and Eightcap are two online brokers with a solid foundation in the trading world, having been founded in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Neither company is publicly traded nor operates as a bank. When it comes to trust and regulation, HFM holds two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, earning it a Trust Score of 86 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This score categorizes HFM as a trusted broker in the industry.
Eightcap, on the other hand, boasts three Tier-1 licenses but lacks Tier-2 licenses, giving it a Trust Score of 85 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. While slightly lower than HFM's, this score still places Eightcap within the trusted range. Both brokers offer a level of security and reliability conducive to their roles in the financial market, though their regulatory differences might appeal to different trading preferences.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
HFM and Eightcap each earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees ranking, Eightcap is #27 out of 63 brokers, while HFM is #32 out of 63—suggesting Eightcap has a slight edge on average pricing.
HFM’s trading costs lean a bit above the industry average. Its Standard account lists a typical spread of 1.2 pips, but no date range is provided, so the true average may be higher. The Zero account advertises an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, yet this figure is not an average either, which makes it less reliable for cost comparisons.
Eightcap’s pricing depends on the account you choose. The commission-based Raw account has an average spread of 0.06 pips; after adding the $3.50 per-side commission, the all-in cost is about 0.76 pips—just under the industry average of roughly 0.8 pips. The Standard account is spread-only with typically higher costs. Overall, Eightcap is slightly pricier than the very cheapest forex brokers, but it generally comes in a bit lower than HFM’s typical pricing. (Eightcap: 4/5 stars, ranked #27/63; HFM: 4/5 stars, ranked #32/63.)
| Feature |
HFM
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| 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 Eightcap both offer forex trading (CFD/spot) and support copy trading. Eightcap lists more total instruments overall with about 800 tradeable symbols versus HFM’s 500, but HFM provides a wider selection of currency pairs (102 vs 56). Neither broker offers direct share dealing on U.S. or international exchanges, and neither lets you buy actual cryptocurrency; both instead provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives.
For range of investments, HFM is rated 4 stars and ranks 37th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Eightcap is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 41st. In short, Eightcap wins on total symbol count, whereas HFM stands out for its larger lineup of forex pairs; both cover crypto via derivatives and include copy trading.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 800 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 56 |
| 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.
Comparing HFM vs Eightcap for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer free demo (paper) accounts, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), along with copy trading and the ability to place trades directly from charts. A key difference is that HFM also provides a proprietary, in-house platform, whereas Eightcap does not. Neither broker integrates DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
For charting, HFM lists 30 drawing tools versus Eightcap’s 15, while the exact number of built-in indicators isn’t specified for either. Watchlists are comparable, with 7 available fields at both brokers. In our Trading Platforms and Tools ratings, HFM and Eightcap each earn 4 out of 5 stars; however, ForexBrokers.com ranks Eightcap slightly higher (#39 of 63) than HFM (#43 of 63). If you want an in-house platform and more drawing tools, HFM stands out; if rankings matter more, Eightcap has a small edge.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary 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 | 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 Eightcap both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android with the core tools most traders want. You can set forex or stock price alerts, create watchlists with real-time quotes, and study charts using 30 technical indicators. Each app lets you draw trendlines, switch between multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and autosaves your chart drawings so your analysis stays put.
The main difference is watchlist syncing. Eightcap syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and your online account, while HFM does not. Both earned 4-star ratings for Mobile Trading Apps, with Eightcap ranked #39 and HFM #40 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. If syncing across devices matters to you, Eightcap has a slight edge; otherwise, both apps cover the same charting and alert features.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| 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 Eightcap both deliver daily market commentary, sentiment tools that show long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. The key difference is news and tools: HFM includes forex news from big-name sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones and provides Autochartist for technical analysis, while Eightcap does not offer those. Neither broker includes Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading research.
Independent ratings reflect this gap. For Research, HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #20 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Eightcap scores 3.5 stars and ranks #40. Choose HFM if you want built-in premium news and Autochartist signals; pick Eightcap if basic commentary, sentiment, and a calendar cover your needs.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners provided by HFM and Eightcap, both online brokers deliver at least 10 educational materials focused on forex and CFDs. However, HFM edges out with added value for learning enthusiasts by offering monthly online educational webinars. Eightcap lacks a consistent webinar schedule, meaning new traders might miss out on timely, interactive learning experiences. Both platforms host a searchable archive of past webinars and present a robust collection of beginner-focused videos, ensuring foundational skills can be readily developed.
For more seasoned traders, HFM proves to be more advantageous by providing advanced educational videos, an area where Eightcap does not keep pace. Both brokers offer an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, a helpful resource for newcomers navigating the financial landscape. In terms of recognition, HFM is rated slightly higher with 4 stars compared to Eightcap's 3.5 stars and is ranked 37th in education out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ahead of Eightcap, which is placed at 40th. These rankings and resources indicate that HFM might offer a better educational environment for those who are at the start of their trading journey.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Eightcap. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Eightcap finished with an overall rank of #38.
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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Eightcap
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 85 |
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Neither HFM nor Eightcap provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both platforms offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both HFM and Eightcap do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but while HFM lacks PayPal support, Eightcap provides this option; both brokers, however, offer account funding and withdrawal via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Eightcap Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Eightcap | |
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| Regulation | HFM | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 800 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 56 | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 1.0 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary 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 | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap Review |
| Overall | HFM | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Eightcap Review |
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