Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com, established in 1999, is a highly trusted online broker with a Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded company, it offers confidence and transparency to its users. FOREX.com is not a bank but stands out with holding seven Tier-1 licenses, the highest category for trust, and one Tier-2 license. This positions it as a credible option for online trading enthusiasts seeking reliability and strong regulatory backing.
In contrast, HFM, which started operating in 2010, has a Trust Score of 86, placing it in the trusted category. While not publicly traded, HFM holds two Tier-1 and three Tier-2 licenses, reflecting its commitment to maintaining trust despite its non-listing status. As with FOREX.com, HFM is not a bank, but it remains a trusted choice for traders interested in a well-regulated broker within this competitive industry.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
FOREX.com and HFM both sit slightly above the industry average for commissions and fees, but they get there in different ways. In our ratings, FOREX.com scores 4.5/5 stars and ranks #14 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while HFM scores 4/5 stars and ranks #32 of 63. If you want the simplest pricing, HFM’s headline numbers can look sharper at first glance; if you value detailed execution options and volume-based discounts, FOREX.com offers more ways to lower costs as your trading grows.
FOREX.com’s Standard account in the U.S. showed an average EUR/USD spread of 1.4 pips (July 2023). Outside the U.S., its time-weighted average spread on EUR/USD was 0.74 pips in July 2023. The newer RAW account posts typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips (Feb 2024) plus a $7 commission per standard lot ($3.50 per side), which adds about 0.7 pips—putting the all-in cost near 0.83 pips before any rebates. Active traders can earn $2–$9 per million in volume rebates, and very high-volume clients (over $2 billion per month) can reach pricing that competes with low-cost ECN-style brokers. For most U.S.-based traders under $50 million per month in volume, however, the RAW account’s all-in cost ends up similar to the Standard account.
HFM’s pricing is straightforward but not deeply documented: its Standard account lists a typical EUR/USD spread of 1.2 pips (no date range provided), and the Zero account cites an effective 0.7 pips after commission (also not an average). In practical terms, casual traders may find HFM’s stated Standard spread slightly lower than FOREX.com’s U.S. Standard figure, while cost-focused traders comparing commission accounts should weigh FOREX.com’s roughly 0.83-pip all-in baseline (with transparent data and potential rebates) against HFM’s 0.7-pip claim that lacks time-stamped averages. Your best choice likely comes down to location, trade size, and whether you’ll qualify for volume discounts.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | 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.
FOREX.com and HFM both support forex trading via CFDs and/or spot contracts, and each offers crypto CFDs (but not actual crypto). Neither broker provides access to real, exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges. The big difference is breadth: FOREX.com lists about 5,500 tradeable symbols versus HFM’s 500, while HFM carries more currency pairs (102 vs. 80). HFM also offers copy trading, which FOREX.com does not.
If you want the widest overall market selection, FOREX.com is the stronger pick, earning 5 stars and ranking #7 out of 63 for Range of Investments (per ForexBrokers.com). HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #37; it stands out for its larger list of forex pairs and the availability of copy trading.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 102 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
FOREX.com vs HFM: Both brokers cover the essentials for modern trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account, an in-house proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. They also support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and both let you place trades directly from charts.
The main platform difference is copy trading: HFM offers it, while FOREX.com does not. In independent ratings for Trading Platforms and Tools, FOREX.com earns 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #43. If you want a higher-rated platform experience, FOREX.com stands out; if copy trading matters most, HFM could be the better fit.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FOREX.com and HFM offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, lets you draw trendlines on charts, and auto-saves those drawings—handy for tracking setups on the go. This means both brokers cover the core features most traders expect in a mobile trading app.
Key differences show up in syncing and chart depth. FOREX.com syncs watchlists between the app and your online account, while HFM does not. For charting, FOREX.com includes 88 technical studies (indicators) versus HFM’s 30, giving more ways to analyze price action on your phone. According to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com’s mobile apps earn 5 stars and rank #3 out of 63 brokers, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #40. Choose FOREX.com if you want deeper chart tools and synced watchlists; pick HFM if you only need the essentials.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research services, both FOREX.com and HFM offer comprehensive options for traders. They each provide daily market commentary, allowing investors to stay informed with up-to-date information. Additionally, both brokers offer forex news from renowned sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. FOREX.com differentiates itself with the provision of Trading Central’s Technical Analytics, while HFM stands out by offering analysis tools from Autochartist, which is not available through FOREX.com. Both platforms also provide sentiment-based trading tools, displaying the balance of long and short positions across currency pairs.
In terms of research tools from Acuity Trading and market research from TipRanks, neither broker offers these resources. However, both include an economic calendar that highlights global news events impacting various economies, assisting traders in making informed decisions. FOREX.com edges out HFM in research ratings, earning 4.5 stars out of 5, while HFM receives 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, out of 63 brokers, FOREX.com is ranked 9th in the Research category compared to HFM, which holds the 20th position. This ranking reflects FOREX.com's slightly superior offering in the research domain compared to HFM.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both FOREX.com and HFM make it easy for beginners to learn the basics of forex and CFDs. Each broker offers a sizable education library with at least ten beginner videos, plus monthly live webinars to help you practice what you learn in real time. As you progress, both also provide at least ten advanced videos, so you can keep building skills without having to switch platforms.
When it comes to quality and recognition, FOREX.com has the edge. It earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4 stars and ranks #37. For new traders seeking a deeper, more widely acclaimed learning experience, FOREX.com is the stronger pick. That said, HFM still offers ample beginner-friendly content and regular webinars, making it a solid option if you prefer its platform or account features.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than HFM. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
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HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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FOREX.com vs HFM: both online brokers do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but each offers cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Compared with HFM, FOREX.com supports more deposit and withdrawal options—ACH/SEPA and PayPal (both unavailable at HFM), plus Skrill and bank wires for both—while Visa/Mastercard availability for either broker 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 | FOREX.com | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | HFM | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | HFM Review |
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