Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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.
IG and HFM are two well-known online brokers, but they differ significantly in terms of trust and regulatory credentials. Established in 1974, IG is not only one of the oldest brokers but is also highly regarded with a top-notch Trust Score of 99 by ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded entity and a bank, IG stands out by holding eight Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a high level of trust and reliability. In addition, IG has two Tier-2 licenses, strengthening its stance as a leader in the financial services industry.
In contrast, HFM was founded more recently in 2010 and holds a Trust Score of 86, placing it within the trusted category according to ForexBrokers.com. However, it does not have the added security of being publicly listed or operating as a bank. HFM holds two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, indicating a good but comparatively lower level of trustworthiness when compared to IG. Despite these differences, HFM remains a reputable choice for traders seeking a reliable online broker.
| Feature |
IG
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
IG vs. HFM on commissions and fees: IG generally prices sharper, especially for high-volume traders, while HFM sits slightly above the industry average. IG earns 5/5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #8 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. HFM earns 4/5 stars and is ranked #32 out of 63.
IG offers multiple execution choices, including DMA (Forex Direct) for advanced users. On its DMA account, EUR/USD averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023, with an all-in cost around 0.82 pips after the base commission. On spread-only CFD accounts, typical session spreads averaged 0.69 pips that month (0.98 pips across all sessions), with IG US showing 1.18 pips on EUR/USD. Spreads can widen in quiet hours. Active traders who qualify as professionals can earn 10%–20% spread rebates, which can drop effective costs to about 0.60 pips. Commission tiers on DMA range from about $60 per million at entry to $10 per million per side for very large volumes.
HFM’s trading costs are slightly above average. The Standard account lists a typical 1.2-pip spread (no date range provided), which may indicate higher real-world averages. Its Zero account quotes an effective 0.7-pip spread after commission, but this figure is not an average. Taken together—and reflected in the star ratings and rankings—IG tends to offer lower, more transparent pricing for active or high-volume forex traders, while HFM is more middle-of-the-pack on costs.
| Feature |
IG
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing IG vs HFM for range of investments, both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. IG stands out with 19,537 tradeable symbols, while HFM lists 500. For currency traders, HFM offers 102 forex pairs compared with IG’s 97. Based on ForexBrokers.com, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, whereas HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #37.
IG also lets clients buy exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international exchanges, which HFM does not offer. For crypto, IG provides access to both actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies and crypto CFDs, while HFM offers crypto CFDs only. HFM supports copy trading; IG does not. Choose IG if you want the widest market access and stock ownership options, and consider HFM if copy trading and a slightly larger list of forex pairs are priorities.
| Feature |
IG
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 102 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
IG vs HFM: both online brokers offer a free demo account for paper trading, proprietary in-house platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. They each support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and let you trade directly from charts. The big differences are that HFM supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and copy trading, while IG does not.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers, while HFM holds 4 stars and ranks #43. If you want MT5 or copy trading, HFM fits the bill; if you prefer a top-rated in-house platform experience with MT4 and chart trading on desktop and web, IG is the stronger pick.
| Feature |
IG
|
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) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and HFM both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. You can set forex and stock price alerts in both. Charting on the go includes trendline drawing and auto-saved annotations. IG provides 33 built-in technical studies, while HFM offers 30, covering popular indicators traders use every day.
A key difference is watchlist syncing: IG syncs symbols between the app and your online account; HFM does not. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG’s mobile app earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #40. If seamless syncing and a top-rated experience matter most, IG is the better pick; if you just need core tools with alerts and charting, HFM can still get the job done.
| Feature |
IG
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both IG and HFM provide traders with valuable resources for market research, making daily market commentary readily available. They offer forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay updated with the latest developments. Additionally, both brokers have partnered with Autochartist to provide technical analysis and fundamental research tools. While neither IG nor HFM includes technical analytics from Trading Central, they do offer sentiment-based trading tools that show the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Moreover, they provide an economic calendar that highlights global news events impacting different economies.
Where IG stands out is in its exclusive offerings that enhance research capabilities. IG provides access to TipRanks for additional market insights, a feature absent in HFM. Furthermore, IG includes tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which HFM does not offer. Consequently, IG earns a higher research rating with five stars compared to HFM's four stars and holds the prestigious #2 ranking out of 63 brokers. Meanwhile, HFM secures the #20 spot, reflecting a solid but not top-tier position in the industry.
| Feature |
IG
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
If you’re new to forex or CFD trading, both IG and HFM give you a clear starting point. Each broker runs monthly online educational webinars and offers at least ten beginner videos plus ten advanced videos, helping you move from the basics to more complex strategies at your own pace.
Where they differ is in overall quality and recognition. IG earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM holds 4 stars and ranks #37. That gap suggests IG provides a more complete learning path and wider coverage, making it the stronger choice if education is your top priority. HFM still delivers helpful webinars and videos for newcomers, but IG is more likely to support you as your skills grow.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 IG is better than HFM. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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In the IG vs HFM comparison for cryptocurrency trading, IG lets you buy actual (delivered) crypto and trade cryptocurrency CFDs, while HFM does not support buying real crypto but does offer crypto CFDs.
IG supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers (but not Skrill), while HFM supports Skrill and bank wire transfers (but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal).
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 | IG | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | HFM | |
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| Regulation | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | 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 | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | IG | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | HFM Review |
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