Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs IUX, 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.
Founded in 2010, HFM stands out in the online brokerage landscape with a notable trust score of 86 out of 99, earning it a "trusted" rating according to ForexBrokers.com. HFM is not publicly traded nor a banking institution, yet it does have a strong regulatory foundation with two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. This positioning within the industry emphasizes its stability and trustworthiness for clients seeking reliable trading partnerships.
On the other hand, IUX, established in 2016, presents a slightly different profile, with a ForexBrokers.com trust score of 78, placing it in the "average risk" category. Like HFM, IUX is not publicly listed nor a banking institution, but it holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license. While its regulatory standing is solid, IUX's score suggests a moderate level of risk for potential investors and traders compared to HFM.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
For commissions and fees, both HFM and IUX earn 4/5 stars from ForexBrokers.com. HFM is ranked #32 out of 63 brokers for this category, while IUX is ranked #49 out of 63—suggesting HFM has a slight edge overall, though neither is among the very cheapest providers.
HFM’s trading costs are slightly above the industry average. Its Standard account lists a typical spread of 1.2 pips (no date range provided, so the true average could be higher). The Zero account quotes an effective 0.7-pip spread after commission, but this figure is also not presented as an average. Keep the lack of dated averages in mind when comparing HFM’s pricing.
IUX’s pricing depends on the account you choose. The Standard and Standard+ accounts require just $10 to start; Standard+ allows deposit bonuses but with wider spreads, while Standard forgoes promos for lower spreads. For active traders, the Pro and Raw accounts each require a $500 minimum: Pro is spread-only with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.7 pips, and Raw charges $6 per 100,000 units traded with an average effective spread near 0.6 pips; the Standard account averages about 0.9 pips (no date ranges provided). Overall, IUX is competitive—especially with its Pro and Raw options—but it doesn’t undercut the lowest-cost leaders.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 10 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
HFM and IUX both support forex trading (CFD/spot), but HFM offers a wider range overall. HFM lists about 500 tradable symbols and 102 forex pairs, compared with IUX’s 152 symbols and 34 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, and neither supports buying actual crypto. Neither provides U.S.-listed exchange-traded stocks, though IUX does offer exchange-traded shares on certain international exchanges while HFM does not. For social investing, HFM includes copy trading, whereas IUX does not.
If your priority is more markets and currency pairs along with copy trading, HFM has the edge. If you want access to some international exchange-traded shares, IUX is the pick. Reflecting this, HFM earns 4 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #37 out of 63 brokers, while IUX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #61.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 152 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 34 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Comparing HFM vs IUX for trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer simulated paper trading with free demo accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each lets you trade directly from charts. A notable difference is copy trading: HFM supports copy trading, while IUX does not.
On third-party platforms, HFM offers both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), whereas IUX offers MT5 but not MT4. The number of technical indicators and watch list columns wasn’t specified for either broker. According to ForexBrokers.com, HFM scores 4 stars and ranks 43rd out of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, while IUX scores 3.5 stars and ranks 60th out of 63.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both HFM and IUX offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. HFM stands out with built-in price alerts, while IUX does not support alerts. Neither broker syncs watchlists between the mobile app and the online account, so any changes you make on one won’t appear on the other.
For charting, IUX packs more technical studies (106 vs. HFM’s 30), but HFM lets you draw trendlines in the app, whereas IUX does not. Both apps auto-save your chart drawings. Overall, HFM earns a higher mobile app rating (4 out of 5 stars) than IUX (3.5 stars), and ranks #40 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, compared with IUX at #61.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 106 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
HFM vs IUX for market research: HFM offers daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental insights, a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. IUX provides an economic calendar but does not include daily commentary, top-tier forex news, Autochartist, or a sentiment tool. Neither broker currently features Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
These gaps show up in independent ratings: ForexBrokers.com gives HFM 4 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks it 20th out of 63 brokers, while IUX earns 3 stars and ranks 60th. If you want richer built-in market research and trade ideas, HFM is the stronger pick; IUX suits traders who mainly need a calendar and prefer to source research elsewhere.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners, both HFM and IUX provide at least 10 beginner-focused videos that explain key trading concepts in clear terms, helping new traders get started with forex and CFDs. HFM goes further by hosting ongoing client education webinars (at least one each month), giving newcomers a chance to ask questions and learn in real time. IUX does not offer regular educational webinars.
If you plan to progress beyond the basics, HFM also supplies 10+ advanced videos, while IUX does not. Independent reviews reflect this gap: ForexBrokers.com rates HFM 4 stars for Education and ranks it 37th out of 63 brokers, compared with IUX at 3 stars and 60th. In short, beginners get more learning paths and live support at HFM, whereas IUX covers the basics but offers fewer ways to keep improving.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
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 IUX. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while IUX finished with an overall rank of #55.
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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IUX
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 |
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In the HFM vs IUX comparison for cryptocurrency trading, neither online broker lets you buy actual delivered crypto, but both allow you to trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
Online brokers HFM and IUX compared: neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits/withdrawals, both support Skrill and bank wire transfers, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | IUX | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 152 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 34 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.2 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 0.6 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 106 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
| Overall | HFM | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
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