menuclose
Back to Main Menu
ForexBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn How We Make Money

HFM vs IFC Markets 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of HFM vs IFC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

HFM
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 86
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 500
IFC Markets
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
  • Trust Score: 73
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 630

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.

Regulation

HFM and IFC Markets are online brokers that offer diverse trading options to individuals and organizations, though they differ in terms of regulatory strength and trust scores. Founded in 2010, HFM boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, placing it in the "trusted" category. HFM holds two Tier-1 licenses considered highly reliable and three Tier-2 licenses. Established in 2006, IFC Markets has a Trust Score of 73, labeling it as an "average risk" broker. IFC Markets does not hold any Tier-1 licenses but has one Tier-2 license, indicating a more moderate regulatory foundation compared to HFM.

Neither HFM nor IFC Markets is publicly traded or operates as a bank. While HFM's licensing and higher trust score may appeal to those prioritizing oversight, IFC Markets could attract traders looking for a slightly older brokerage with its own regulatory advantages. Both brokers offer distinct trading platforms, and their varied regulatory standings might suit different trading approaches and preferences.

Feature HFM logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Year Founded info 2010 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info No No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-2 Licenses info 3 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 2 1

Fees

HFM and IFC Markets both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but their value depends on which account you use. On headline pricing, each sits a bit above the industry average; on specialized accounts, costs can improve. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees rankings, HFM places #32 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets ranks #40 out of 63.

HFM’s standard account lists a “typical” spread of 1.2 pips, though no date range is provided, so the true average could be higher. Its Zero account quotes an effective 0.7 pips after commission, but this figure is also not an average. Overall, that keeps HFM slightly above the industry norm on standard pricing, with a potentially cheaper path via the Zero account. HFM rating: 4/5 stars; ranking: #32/63.

IFC Markets reports an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips versus the 1.08-pip industry average, which is a bit pricier for casual traders. Cost-conscious and high-volume traders can consider the ECN account, where the effective spread is about 1.1 pips after a 0.005% commission on both sides. The lack of inactivity fees and available active-trader discounts help offset costs. IFC Markets rating: 4/5 stars; ranking: #40/63.

Feature HFM logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $0 $1
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.2 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.7 info 1.1 info
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

HFM and IFC Markets both support forex trading, offered either as CFDs or spot. HFM lists about 500 tradeable symbols and stands out with 102 currency pairs. IFC Markets provides a wider overall catalog with roughly 630 symbols, but fewer forex pairs at 49. Neither broker lets you buy U.S.-listed shares directly, but IFC Markets does offer exchange-traded international stocks (for example, London-listed names), while HFM does not.

Both brokers support copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs, and neither enables purchases of actual crypto. For Range of Investments, ForexBrokers.com rates HFM at 4.0 stars (ranked 37th of 63) and IFC Markets at 3.5 stars (ranked 44th of 63). Choose HFM if deeper forex pair coverage matters most; pick IFC Markets if you want more total instruments and access to real international shares.

Feature HFM logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 500 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 102 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info No Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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).

Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.

Trading platforms and tools

HFM vs IFC Markets: both online brokers check the key boxes for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account for paper (simulated) trading, a proprietary platform, and the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). You can trade in your browser or via a Windows desktop download, use copy trading, and place orders directly from a chart.

Neither broker discloses the exact number of built-in technical indicators or watchlist columns. For Trading Platforms and Tools, both earn 4 stars; however, IFC Markets ranks higher with ForexBrokers.com (#37 of 63) compared with HFM (#43 of 63). If a slightly better third-party ranking matters, IFC Markets has the edge; otherwise, both suit traders who want MT4/MT5 plus a proprietary and web-based option.

Feature HFM logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 15 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

HFM and IFC Markets both deliver capable mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts and offers 30 technical studies, plus the ability to draw trendlines and auto-save your chart drawings. The key difference is watchlists: IFC Markets syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while HFM does not, which can affect how easily you manage symbols across devices.

Both brokers earn 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, yet ForexBrokers.com ranks HFM higher at #40 out of 63, compared with IFC Markets at #53. If seamless watchlist syncing matters most, IFC Markets has the edge; if you prefer a slightly better industry ranking, HFM is the pick. Either way, both apps cover the essentials for mobile stock and forex charting and alerts.

Feature HFM logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info No Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

Comparing HFM and IFC Markets on market research: HFM earns 4 stars and ranks 20th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets earns 3.5 stars and ranks 41st. Both brokers cover the essentials with daily market commentary, a helpful economic calendar, and a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions.

HFM pulls ahead thanks to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, plus access to Autochartist for technical scans. IFC Markets does not offer top-tier news or Autochartist. Neither broker includes Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools. If you want built-in news and pattern-recognition to help find trade ideas, HFM is the stronger choice; if you just need basic commentary, sentiment, and an economic calendar, IFC Markets covers the basics.

Feature HFM logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginner traders comparing education at HFM and IFC Markets, both brokers offer sizable video libraries: each has at least 10 beginner-focused videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so you can progress from basics to more complex topics. A key difference is live training: HFM hosts educational webinars at least once a month, giving newcomers a chance to ask questions in real time, while IFC Markets does not run regular client webinars.

In terms of quality signals, HFM holds a 4 out of 5 Education rating, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 out of 5. However, in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category ranking of 63 brokers, IFC Markets places higher at #30 compared with HFM at #37. If you value live, ongoing coaching, HFM is the more beginner-friendly pick. If you prefer self-paced learning and a slightly higher category ranking, IFC Markets could be a fit.

Feature HFM logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that HFM is better than IFC Markets. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.

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 logoHFM
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 86 73
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with HFM or IFC Markets?

HFM and IFC Markets do not support purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both brokers enable trading cryptocurrency CFDs instead.

What funding options does each broker offer?

HFM vs IFC Markets: both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal, both allow bank wire transfers, only HFM supports Skrill while IFC Markets does not, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.

More Comparisons

HFM vs GBE brokers HFM vs BlackBull Markets HFM vs Trading 212 HFM vs ATFX HFM vs Fineco HFM vs XM Group IFC Markets vs TopFX IFC Markets vs Alpari IFC Markets vs VT Markets IFC Markets vs FXOpen IFC Markets vs easyMarkets IFC Markets vs Trading 212

Show all



announcementPlease 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

↓×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxActivTrades
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxACY Securities
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAdmirals
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlpari
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxATFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAvaTrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAxi
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBDSwiss
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBlackBull Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCity Index
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCMC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxDooPrime
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxEarn
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeasyMarkets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxEightcap
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxExness
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFineco
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFOREX.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFP Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXCM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXGT.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXOpen
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXPrimus
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFxPro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxGBE brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHFM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIFC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxiFOREX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIG
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIronFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIUX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLegacyFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLibertex (Forex Club)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMarkets.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMarkets4you
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMoneta Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMultiBank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOANDA
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOcta
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPepperstone
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPlus500
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxQuestrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRoboForex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSaxo
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSpreadex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSwissquote
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxThinkMarkets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTickmill
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTMGM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTopFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrade Nation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrading 212
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVantage
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVT Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXM Group
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXTB
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXtrade

Compare

0 of 5
× HFM
× IFC Markets
Sponsored

+ Add Broker

Close Menu ×

navigate_before navigate_next
Overall Rating HFM IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 86 73
Winner check_circle
Review HFM Review
Broker Screenshots HFM IFC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
HFM MT5 web platform. HFM webinars schedule. HFM educational video example YouTube.
Regulation HFM IFC Markets
Trust Score info 86 73
Year Founded info 2010 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info No No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-2 Licenses info 3 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 2 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) HFM IFC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) HFM IFC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info Yes
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) info Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments HFM IFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 500 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 102 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info No Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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).
Cost HFM IFC Markets
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.2 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.7 info 1.1 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding HFM IFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $0 $1
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
Trading Platforms HFM IFC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools HFM IFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 15 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading HFM IFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info No Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research HFM IFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education HFM IFC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs HFM IFC Markets
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review HFM Review
Overall HFM IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 86 73
Winner check_circle
Review HFM Review
arrow_upward

close
navigate_before navigate_next