Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro 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.
eToro, founded in 2007, is a publicly traded online broker and not a bank. HFM, founded in 2010, is privately held and also not a bank. If you’re comparing eToro vs HFM for peace of mind and company background, eToro is older and listed, while HFM is not listed.
On regulation, eToro holds 4 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, while HFM holds 2 Tier-1 and 3 Tier-2 licenses. According to ForexBrokers.com, eToro’s Trust Score is 97/99 (highly trusted) and HFM’s is 85/99 (trusted). Both are regulated and considered trustworthy, with eToro earning the higher rating and more top-tier licenses.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing commissions and fees, eToro and HFM both earn 4 out of 5 stars, but eToro comes out ahead in the rankings. eToro is ranked #24 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while HFM is ranked #30 out of 36. In plain terms, both brokers sit a little above the typical cost level, but eToro is the stronger pick overall on pricing.
eToro is a market-maker broker with a typical variable spread of 1 pip on EUR/USD, which is slightly higher than the industry average. Even so, many retail traders are drawn to eToro more for its social copy trading tools than for low trading costs. It also offers the eToro Club VIP program, with five tiers from Silver to Diamond for balances between $5,000 and $250,000, and perks that can include Trading Central access, lower deposit and withdrawal fees, and a dedicated account manager.
HFM also has trading costs that are slightly above the industry average. Its standard accounts list a typical spread of 1.2 pips, though no date range is given, so the true average could be higher. HFM’s Zero account advertises an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, but that is not an average rate. Overall, HFM can be competitive in some account types, but eToro has the better overall commissions and fees score and ranking.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, eToro gives traders a much wider selection than HFM. eToro offers 7,441 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, compared with HFM’s 344 symbols and 38 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as a CFD or spot contract and both offer copy trading, but eToro stands out by also giving clients access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, such as U.S. stocks and overseas shares.
eToro also goes further for crypto investors by letting users buy actual cryptocurrency, not just crypto CFDs, while HFM only offers crypto CFDs. Reflecting this broader market access, eToro earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #10 out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4 stars and ranks #30.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7441 | 344 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 38 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both eToro and HFM give traders a free demo account, their own in-house platform, web-based access, copy trading, and the ability to trade directly from a chart. That means both brokers offer flexible options for beginners and active traders who want to practice first or trade from a browser without needing to install software. eToro stands out for its simple, social-style trading experience, while HFM also supports a wider range of classic trading setups.
The biggest difference is that HFM offers both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, plus a Windows desktop platform, while eToro does not support MT4, MT5, or a downloadable desktop app. In independent ratings, eToro scores higher for Trading Platforms and Tools at 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 36 brokers, compared with HFM’s 4 out of 5 stars and #36 ranking. For traders who want MetaTrader access and desktop trading, HFM has the edge; for those who prefer a browser-based, easy-to-use platform with strong social trading features, eToro is the stronger pick.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 106 | 38 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing eToro and HFM for mobile trading apps, both brokers cover the basics well. Each offers iPhone and Android apps, plus price alerts for stocks or forex. Both apps also let you draw trendlines on charts, which is helpful for tracking market moves on the go. For mobile trading access, either broker gives you the core tools most traders expect.
eToro stands out for a more complete mobile charting experience and smoother app-to-account use. Its app includes 104 technical studies, while HFM offers just 5, and eToro also supports watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account, which HFM does not. HFM does have one useful edge: chart drawings auto-save in its app, while eToro does not. Even so, eToro holds the stronger overall mobile app score, with 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #10 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with HFM’s 4 stars and #35 ranking.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 5 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both eToro and HFM give traders the basics they need, including daily market commentary, news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, a sentiment tool for spotting long and short position ratios, and an economic calendar with key global events. Both also score well for research overall, but eToro has the edge with a 4.5-star Research rating and a #12 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with HFM’s 4-star rating and #18 ranking.
The main differences come down to extra research tools. HFM offers Autochartist and Acuity Trading tools such as Signal Centre, which eToro does not. On the other hand, eToro includes TipRanks market research, while HFM does not. So, eToro may appeal more to traders who want TipRanks and a higher research score, while HFM may suit those looking for Autochartist and Acuity-powered insights.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for learning support, both eToro and HFM provide a solid range of educational content. Each broker offers forex and CFD education with at least 10 pieces of content, plus monthly client webinars and a wide selection of beginner and advanced videos. This means new traders can find lessons on the basics, while more experienced users also have material to build on.
That said, eToro comes out ahead for education. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 36 brokers for the Education category, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #31. In simple terms, both brokers give beginners useful learning tools, but eToro offers a stronger overall education experience.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | 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 eToro is better than HFM. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 97 | 85 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In the eToro vs HFM comparison, eToro lets you buy actual delivered cryptocurrency and trade crypto CFDs, while HFM offers crypto CFDs only and does not support purchasing the underlying coins.
Compared with HFM, eToro supports ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal (both unavailable at HFM), while both brokers accept Skrill and bank wire transfers; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 97 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 97 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | 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) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | eToro | 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 | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7441 | 344 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 38 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 106 | 38 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 5 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | eToro Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | eToro | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 97 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | HFM Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
Capital.com
AvaTrade
XM
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill
HFM Markets