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.
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.
FXCM and HFM are well-known online brokers with different profiles. FXCM was founded in 1999 and is publicly traded, while HFM, founded in 2010, is privately held; neither broker is a bank. On ForexBrokers.com’s 99-point Trust Score, FXCM scores 95 (highly trusted) and HFM scores 85 (trusted). For reference, 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted.
In terms of regulation, FXCM holds 4 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). HFM holds 2 Tier-1 and 3 Tier-2 licenses. Bottom line: FXCM has a stronger top-tier regulatory footprint and a higher Trust Score, while HFM remains a trusted, well-regulated option.
| 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 earns 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks 17th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Using time‑weighted averages from May 2024, EUR/USD spreads averaged about 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia entities, and 1.38 pips for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission account averaged 0.28 pips before commission; adding roughly 0.50 pips in round‑turn commission puts the effective spread near 0.74 pips. FXCM also runs a five‑tier Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) that pays $5 to $25 per million once you trade at least $10 million per month; for example, in the U.K. a $25,000 balance and $50 million monthly volume can reduce commission to $2.50 per side ($5 round‑turn). As with most brokers, spreads can widen around rollover or during volatile markets.
HFM scores 4.0/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks 28th of 63 at ForexBrokers.com. The broker lists a typical 1.2‑pip spread on its standard account, but no date range is provided, so the true average may be higher. Its Zero account cites an effective cost of about 0.7 pips after commission, though this figure is also not presented as an average.
FXCM vs HFM on costs: FXCM’s measured EU/U.K./Australia average of 0.78 pips on EUR/USD is tighter than HFM’s stated 1.2‑pip standard spread, while FXCM’s St. Vincent pricing (1.38 pips) is wider. On commission pricing, FXCM’s data‑based effective spread near 0.74 pips sits close to HFM’s stated 0.7‑pip Zero account. High‑volume traders may cut FXCM costs further through rebates where available, but program availability and requirements vary by region. In all cases, expect spreads to shift at rollover and in unusual market conditions.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 1.1 |
| 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 available markets, both brokers let you trade forex (via CFDs or spot, depending on the account). HFM lists more total symbols (500 vs. FXCM’s 440) and far more currency pairs (102 vs. 46), which may appeal to traders who want a bigger choice of forex crosses.
Both brokers support copy trading and offer cryptocurrency trading only as CFDs—not as actual coins. Neither provides access to exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges. For Range of Investments, FXCM is rated 4.5 stars and ranked 21st out of 63 brokers, while HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked 28th. Choose HFM if you want the widest set of forex pairs, or FXCM if a higher overall range rating matters more to you.
| 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 vs HFM: Both brokers offer free demo (paper) accounts, their own proprietary platforms, and Windows desktop and web-based trading. Each supports copy trading and lets you place trades directly from charts. Both work with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), but only HFM offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5); FXCM does not support MT5.
According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM earns 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #33. If you need MT5, HFM is the pick. If you want higher-rated platform tools and an in-house platform that stands out, FXCM is the stronger choice. You can test either broker with a free demo to see which platform feels right for you.
| 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 iPhone and Android trading apps with price alerts for forex and other markets. A key difference is watchlist syncing: FXCM syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while HFM does not. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM’s Mobile Trading Apps earn 4.5 out of 5 stars and rank 16th out of 63 brokers, whereas HFM’s apps score 4 out of 5 stars and rank 32nd.
For mobile charting, FXCM provides 59 technical studies compared with HFM’s 30. Both apps let you draw trendlines and automatically save your drawings. If you want deeper chart tools and seamless watchlist syncing, the FXCM mobile app is the stronger choice. If you mainly need core trading features with alerts on iPhone or Android, HFM’s app works well.
| 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.
FXCM and HFM both deliver daily market commentary, real-time forex news from top-tier sources (like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones), sentiment tools showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar to track key events. The main differences are in added research tools: FXCM integrates Trading Central and offers TipRanks insights but does not include Autochartist or Acuity Trading. HFM takes the opposite route by providing Autochartist for technical ideas, while skipping Trading Central, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading.
For research quality, FXCM earns 4.5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4 stars and ranks #18. If you value Trading Central analysis and TipRanks stock research alongside forex news, FXCM is the stronger fit. If you prefer Autochartist’s pattern recognition and trade ideas, HFM is the better match.
| 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.
Comparing FXCM vs HFM for beginner education, both brokers offer forex and CFD learning libraries that meet the minimum threshold of 10 educational pieces. Each hosts client webinars at least once a month and provides at least 10 beginner-focused videos, plus at least 10 advanced videos for when you’re ready to go beyond the basics. In short, either platform can help you get started and continue growing your skills with videos and live sessions.
The difference shows up in the ratings: FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #13 of 63 brokers for Education on ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #29. That edge suggests FXCM is the stronger choice if education quality and structure are your top priorities, though HFM remains a solid option with regular webinars and a complete set of beginner content.
| 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 #10, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
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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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 |
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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 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | HFM Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| 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 (FSA 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 CMA 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 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 1.1 | |
| 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 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | HFM Review |
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