Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs HFM, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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FXCM, founded in 1999, and HFM, established in 2010, are both prominent names in the online brokerage world, yet they differ in their regulatory standings and trustworthiness. FXCM stands out as a publicly traded company, whereas HFM is privately held. Neither broker operates as a bank, but FXCM's public presence on a stock exchange potentially adds a layer of transparency and public accountability. When it comes to regulatory credentials, FXCM holds 4 Tier-1 licenses, signifying high trust, and 2 Tier-2 licenses. In comparison, HFM holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, indicating a solid level of trust but not quite matching FXCM’s regulatory footprint.
The trust score ratings from ForexBrokers.com further highlight FXCM's stronger position with a score of 95 out of 99, designating it as highly trusted. Meanwhile, HFM, with a score of 86, still earns a trusted label but lands slightly lower. These scores are indicative of the brokers' overall risk perception, where FXCM appears to offer a more secure option for traders seeking confidence in the oversight and stability of their trading platform.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
FXCM and HFM both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees rankings, FXCM places higher at #25 of 63, while HFM is #32 of 63. Overall costs at both brokers are slightly above the industry average, but actual pricing depends on your account type, trading volume, and the entity that holds your account.
FXCM’s Standard account spreads on EUR/USD averaged 0.78 pips in May 2024 for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings, while its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity averaged 1.38 pips. FXCM’s commission-based accounts averaged 0.28 pips (excluding commissions) in May 2024; after commissions, the effective spread is around 0.74 pips, and in a U.K. example about 0.78 pips (based on a $5 round-turn at higher volumes). The Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) has five tiers and can return $5–$25 per million traded when you clear at least $10 million per month, with requirements varying by entity. Note that spreads may widen during rollover or fast markets.
HFM’s trading costs are also slightly above average. The broker lists a typical 1.2-pip spread on its Standard account (no date range provided), and an effective 0.7-pip spread on its Zero account after commission, though this figure is not an average. In practice, FXCM can be cheaper if you use its commission-based pricing or qualify for high-volume discounts, while HFM’s Zero account can be competitive versus FXCM’s commission-based effective pricing. Your best option will hinge on your region, account type, and how much you trade.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 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.
Comparing FXCM and HFM on market range, both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and both support crypto CFDs (but not actual, delivered crypto). HFM lists more to trade overall, with 500 tradeable symbols and 102 currency pairs, while FXCM offers 440 symbols and 46 pairs.
Neither broker lets you buy real, exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges, but both provide copy trading. For Range of Investments, ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM at 3.5 stars (ranked 48th of 63) and HFM at 4 stars (ranked 37th of 63), reflecting HFM’s wider selection—especially in forex pairs—while FXCM still covers the core markets many traders want.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 102 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | 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.
FXCM and HFM both check the key boxes for platform access: each offers a free demo account for paper trading, a proprietary platform, Windows desktop software, a web-based platform, copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4); only HFM adds MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which may appeal if you want newer MT tools and features. Specific counts for built-in technical indicators and watch list columns weren’t provided.
In independent testing of trading platforms and tools, FXCM earned 5 stars and ranked #6 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while HFM received 4 stars and ranked #43. If platform quality and tools are your top priority, FXCM stands out; if you need MT5 alongside MT4 and a proprietary option, HFM is worth a look.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and HFM both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts to help you track moves in forex and other markets. A key difference is watchlist syncing: FXCM syncs your watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while HFM does not. That makes it easier with FXCM to manage symbols across devices without re-entering anything.
For charting, FXCM provides 59 technical studies compared with HFM’s 30, and both apps let you draw trendlines and auto-save your drawings. FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for its mobile trading app and ranks #16 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4 stars and ranks #40. In short, FXCM is better for traders who want deeper tools and seamless syncing, while HFM covers the basics for trading on the go.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to understanding the market research offerings of FXCM and HFM, both brokers provide daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, when you delve deeper into their tools, differences start to emerge. FXCM is equipped with Trading Central tools for technical analytics and offers unique insights from TipRanks, which are not available with HFM. Conversely, HFM stands out by incorporating tools from Autochartist, which are missing in FXCM's toolkit. Both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools and a comprehensive economic calendar to keep traders updated on global events.
Evaluating the overall research capabilities, FXCM takes a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating compared to HFM's 4-star rating, as determined by ForexBrokers.com. Moreover, out of 63 brokers, FXCM ranks at #11, while HFM holds the #20 spot in the Research category. Whether you prioritize advanced technical tools or broader market insights, understanding these distinctions between FXCM and HFM can help you choose the broker that aligns with your trading research needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both FXCM and HFM provide forex and CFD education that clears the basic bar of at least 10 learning pieces, and both run ongoing client webinars at least once a month. For beginners, each broker offers 10+ starter-friendly videos that explain key trading concepts step by step. As you advance, both also supply 10+ videos tailored to experienced traders, so you can keep learning at your own pace without switching platforms.
Where they differ is recognition and depth. FXCM earns a 4.5 out of 5 rating for Education and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, signaling a more polished learning experience overall. HFM is close behind with a 4 out of 5 rating and a #37 ranking, still offering a helpful mix of webinars and beginner videos. If you want the stronger track record for education, FXCM has the edge; if you’re simply after accessible videos and regular webinars, HFM remains a practical pick.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than HFM. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
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HFM
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 86 |
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Online brokers FXCM and HFM do not support buying actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs for trading.
Compared to HFM, which supports Skrill and bank wire deposits/withdrawals but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal (Visa/Mastercard availability not specified), FXCM offers broader funding options including ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, 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 | FXCM | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | HFM | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 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 | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | 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) | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | 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 | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $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 | FXCM | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | 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 | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FXCM Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | FXCM | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | HFM Review |
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