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 vs HFM: IG, founded in 1974, is publicly traded and is a bank, while HFM, founded in 2010, is privately held and not a bank. This means IG is listed on a stock exchange, whereas HFM is not.
Regulation and trust differ, too. IG holds 8 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted), earning a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99/99, which falls in the highly trusted 90–99 range. HFM holds 2 Tier-1 and 3 Tier-2 licenses and has a Trust Score of 85/99, which sits in the trusted 80–89 range. For context, ForexBrokers.com labels 70–79 as average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted.
| 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 comes out ahead of HFM on commissions and fees, especially for active and high-volume traders. IG earns a 5-star rating and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees, while HFM is rated 4 stars and ranks #28. IG is not the cheapest broker overall, but its pricing can be competitive, particularly through its Forex Direct DMA account and active trader rebate program.
For everyday trading, IG’s standard CFD spreads were slightly better than the industry average in the period cited, with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.69 pips during main trading hours and 0.98 pips across all sessions in July 2023. Its Forex Direct account showed an average EUR/USD spread of 0.62 pips, with commission-based pricing that could bring the all-in cost to about 0.82 pips, or even lower for very high-volume traders. HFM, by comparison, is described as slightly above average on cost, with a typical standard-account spread of 1.2 pips and a Zero account effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission.
In simple terms, IG offers more ways to reduce trading costs and tends to be better for active traders who want tighter pricing as their volume increases. HFM’s pricing is decent, but its standard account is generally more expensive than IG’s main offerings, and its fee details are less favorable overall.
| Feature |
IG
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.1 |
| 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.
When it comes to range of investments, IG gives traders far more choice than HFM. IG offers 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared with HFM’s 344 symbols and 38 forex pairs. IG also lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international markets, while HFM does not offer non-CFD stock trading on either. In addition, IG allows the purchase of real cryptocurrency as well as crypto CFDs, whereas HFM only offers crypto CFDs.
HFM does have one feature IG does not: copy trading. Even so, IG still comes out ahead overall for investment variety, earning 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranking #4 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. HFM receives 4 stars and ranks #28, making IG the stronger choice for traders who want the widest selection of markets and assets.
| Feature |
IG
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 344 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 38 |
| 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 and HFM both give traders a wide set of platform choices, including free demo accounts, their own in-house platforms, web-based access, Windows desktop downloads, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also lets users trade directly from charts, which is helpful for active traders who want to place orders quickly while watching price moves. In this area, the two brokers are closely matched on the core trading tools most people expect.
The biggest difference is copy trading, which HFM offers but IG does not. That can matter for beginners who want to follow other traders or for people who prefer a more hands-off approach. Overall, IG scores higher for trading platforms and tools, with a 5-star rating and a #1 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, while HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked #33. For traders who want the stronger all-around platform experience, IG has the edge, while HFM stands out if copy trading is important.
| 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 38 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing IG and HFM for mobile trading, both brokers cover the basics well. Each offers iPhone and Android apps, stock or forex price alerts, trendline drawing on charts, and auto-saving for chart drawings. The main difference comes down to charting depth and account syncing. IG lets mobile watchlists sync with the online account, so changes carry over between devices, while HFM does not offer this feature. IG also provides 33 technical studies in its app, compared with just 5 at HFM, which gives IG traders more tools for mobile chart analysis.
IG also comes out ahead in overall mobile app quality. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #1 out of 36 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s mobile category. HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #32 out of 36. For traders who want a smoother mobile experience with better charting and watchlist syncing, IG is the stronger choice, while HFM still offers the core features most mobile traders need.
| 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 | 5 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both IG and HFM give traders a solid set of tools. Each broker offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Autochartist tools, sentiment data, Acuity Trading features, and an economic calendar for tracking upcoming events. Both also let traders gauge market mood by showing the balance of long and short positions across instruments.
That said, IG has the edge overall. It adds TipRanks research, which HFM does not offer, and it earns a higher Research rating from ForexBrokers.com, with 5 out of 5 stars versus HFM’s 4 out of 5. IG is also ranked #2 out of 36 brokers for Research, while HFM sits at #18, making IG the stronger choice for traders who want more market insight.
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning tools, both IG and HFM give new traders plenty to work with. Each broker offers forex and CFDs education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus monthly online webinars, at least 10 beginner videos, and at least 10 advanced videos for traders who want to go deeper. That means either platform can help someone starting out learn the basics of trading and then build on that knowledge over time.
IG, however, stands out in the overall education category. It earns 5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and placed #29. In simple terms, both brokers offer useful educational content, but IG is the stronger choice if education is a top priority for beginners.
| 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 #27.
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
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| 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 (FSA 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 CMA 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 | 344 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 38 | |
| 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 | 0.91 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $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) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 38 | |
| 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 | 5 | |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | HFM Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill