Written by ForexBrokers.com
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.
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.
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
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers HFM and IFC Markets, both platforms offer unique advantages, each rated 4 stars for their commissions and fees. HFM's trading costs are slightly above the industry average, with a typical spread of 1.2 pips for standard accounts. The Zero account offers a somewhat lower effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, although this is not average. HFM ranks #31 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, IFC Markets offers an average spread of 1.44 for EUR/USD, which is notably higher than the industry average of 1.08, making it less competitive in that aspect. However, active traders can benefit from better effective spreads with the new ECN account, which offers 1.1 pips after factoring in a 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. Additional financial benefits at IFC Markets include the absence of inactivity fees and the availability of active trader discounts. IFC Markets is ranked #39 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for these categories.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When considering HFM and IFC Markets for online trading, both brokers ensure forex trading is available via CFDs or spot contracts. HFM offers 500 tradeable symbols with a strong emphasis on forex, providing 102 forex pairs. On the other hand, IFC Markets surpasses HFM by offering 630 tradeable symbols but provides fewer forex pairs, with 49 available. Neither broker provides the option for trading exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but IFC Markets stands out with availability on international exchanges, such as the London Stock Exchange, whereas HFM does not.
For tech-savvy traders, both HFM and IFC Markets offer copy trading capabilities, adding flexibility to trading strategies. However, when it comes to cryptocurrency, both brokers only offer derivative trading and do not support the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of their range of investment options, HFM receives a slightly higher rating with 4 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, HFM ranks #36 out of 63 brokers for the range of investments, while IFC Markets is positioned at #43, reflecting HFM's broader appeal in this category.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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.
When it comes to comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by HFM and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a comprehensive selection that will cater to most traders' needs. Both HFM and IFC Markets supply simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, and each company has developed proprietary platforms in-house. Their platforms are available on multiple channels, including Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browser access, which ensures flexibility for users across different devices. Additionally, both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), widely regarded for their extensive trading features. Copy trading is also supported, although tools like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not offered by either broker.
On the charting front, HFM provides traders with 30 drawing tools, doubling IFC Markets' offering of 15. Both platforms allow trading directly from stock charts, a feature appreciated by active traders. Watch list customization is similar, with both brokers offering seven columns to organize and display key trading information. Rated at four out of five stars for their trading platforms and tools, HFM and IFC Markets stand as strong contenders. In ForexBrokers.com's rankings, HFM is placed at 42nd, while IFC Markets ranks slightly higher at 36th out of 63 brokers. This suggests a marginal preference for IFC Markets in this category, though both brokers are equipped to meet various trading requirements.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between HFM and IFC Markets for mobile trading, both brokers offer essential app compatibility for iPhone and Android users. Users will find features like stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts available in both apps. Additionally, both apps provide 30 technical studies for their charting tools and ensure that any drawings on charts auto-save for user convenience. Creating watchlists with real-time quotes is also supported by both platforms, highlighting their user-friendly functionalities.
However, one notable difference is in watchlist symbol syncing. IFC Markets excels by offering watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to harmonize their watchlists across devices, whereas HFM does not provide this feature. Despite both apps receiving a solid rating of four stars, HFM is ranked higher in the mobile trading apps category, coming in at #39 compared to IFC Markets at #52, according to ForexBrokers.com. This ranking might suggest a slight edge for HFM, but user preferences such as watchlist syncing could sway some traders towards IFC Markets.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing HFM and IFC Markets in terms of market research offerings, both provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed. However, HFM takes a step further by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while IFC Markets does not provide similar high-profile news access. Additionally, HFM benefits from tools by Autochartist, assisting traders with technical analysis and fundamental research, a feature that IFC Markets lacks.
Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools, allowing traders to gauge long and short positions across various instruments. They also provide economic calendars to help investors track global news events. However, neither broker offers resources from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading. In terms of research ratings, HFM holds a four-star rating and ranks 20th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas IFC Markets has a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars, placing them 40th.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at HFM and IFC Markets, both online brokers excel in several areas but differ in specific offerings. HFM provides a rich selection of learning materials, including more than 10 articles, videos, or archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs. Impressively, HFM also offers at least one educational webinar every month and maintains a searchable archive of past webinars for ongoing learning. Moreover, HFM caters to both beginners and advanced traders with a series of specialized videos and an investor dictionary defining over 50 key terms. A reflection of its comprehensive resources, HFM receives a rating of 4 stars for education.
IFC Markets also offers a solid foundation of educational materials, including over 10 pieces dedicated to forex or CFDs and more than 10 videos each for both beginners and advanced traders. However, IFC Markets does not provide monthly educational webinars or a searchable archive of them, which might limit some interactive learning opportunities. Similar to HFM, IFC Markets includes a dictionary with definitions for more than 50 investing terms. While IFC Markets earns a respectable 3.5-star rating in the education category, its resources rank slightly higher at #30 out of 63 brokers compared to HFM's #37 ranking as per ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
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
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 |
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Both HFM and IFC Markets provide opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both HFM and IFC Markets do not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but they both allow transactions via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, with HFM additionally offering Skrill as an option where IFC Markets does not.
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 | HFM | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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| Regulation | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | 1.2 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | HFM | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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