Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Libertex, 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, founded in 2010, and Libertex, founded in 1997, are both private brokers that are not listed on a stock exchange and are not banks. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s Trust Score guide, HFM’s score of 85 places it in the trusted range, while Libertex’s score of 79 puts it in the average risk range.
Looking at regulation, HFM holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, which gives it a stronger regulatory profile than Libertex, which holds 1 Tier-1 license and 1 Tier-2 license. In simple terms, HFM offers more top-level oversight, while Libertex still has some trusted regulation but less overall coverage.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1997 |
| 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 | 2 |
HFM and Libertex are both rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but Libertex comes out ahead on pricing. HFM’s trading costs are slightly above the industry average, with standard accounts showing a typical 1.2-pip spread according to the broker, while its Zero account advertises an effective 0.7-pip spread after commission. Still, these figures are not presented as full average spreads, so actual costs may be higher.
Libertex has more competitive pricing, especially on major forex pairs. Its most recently published EUR/USD spread was 0.3 pips, and its forex pricing uses a spread-plus-commission model: 5 euros per side on the Libertex platform, or 6 euros per side on MT4 and MT5. That means the proprietary platform is the cheaper choice for active traders. Libertex also keeps non-trading fees relatively manageable, with a 10 euro inactivity fee only after six months of no activity, plus free international wire transfers.
In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category, HFM ranks #30 out of 36 brokers, while Libertex ranks #21 out of 36. Overall, both brokers earn the same star rating, but Libertex offers the lower headline trading costs and a better ranking for fee-conscious traders.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.8 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
HFM and Libertex both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and neither broker offers direct ownership of U.S. or international exchange-traded shares. Each also supports copy trading and lets clients trade cryptocurrency CFDs, but not buy actual crypto. Where they differ is in the size of their product lists: HFM offers 344 tradeable symbols and 38 forex pairs, while Libertex provides a much larger selection with 1,573 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs.
For investors who want a wider choice of markets, Libertex has the edge in range. That said, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for range of investments. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking out of 36 brokers, Libertex places #25, ahead of HFM at #30, which reflects its broader list of tradeable products.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 1573 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 46 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 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). | 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.
HFM and Libertex both give traders a solid set of platform choices, including free demo accounts, web-based trading, desktop downloads for Windows, copy trading, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also lets you trade directly from a chart, which can make order entry quicker and easier. For Trading Platforms and Tools, both are rated 4 out of 5 stars, so in day-to-day use they offer many of the same core features.
The main difference is that HFM also offers a proprietary in-house platform, while Libertex does not. That can matter if you want a broker-built experience with a different layout or workflow. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking for this category, Libertex places higher at #27 out of 36 brokers, compared with HFM at #36, even though both brokers are closely matched on platform selection and trading tools.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 38 | 43 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and Libertex both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each one lets users set stock or forex price alerts. Both brokers also earn a 4-star rating for mobile trading apps, so they are tied on overall app quality. In the ForexBrokers.com ranking, however, Libertex places higher at #28 out of 36 brokers, while HFM ranks #35.
There are some clear differences in charting and account syncing. Libertex supports watchlist syncing between its mobile app and online account, while HFM does not. On the other hand, HFM gives mobile traders more chart tools, with 5 technical studies, trendline drawing, and automatic saving of drawings. Libertex does not offer technical studies, trendline drawing, or auto-saving for chart drawings in its app.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 5 | 0 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
HFM and Libertex both give traders solid market research support, and each earns a 4-star rating for Research. Both brokers provide forex news from major sources, an economic calendar, and a sentiment tool that shows the balance of long and short positions. However, HFM goes further with daily market commentary, Autochartist tools, and Acuity Trading research such as Signal Centre, which can make it easier for beginners and active traders to spot ideas and track market moves.
Libertex also offers helpful research features, including news from top-tier providers, Trading Central tools, and a sentiment feature, but it does not include daily market commentary, Autochartist, or Acuity Trading. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking for the Research category, HFM places higher at #18 out of 36 brokers, while Libertex comes in at #26 out of 36, giving HFM the edge overall for market research.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing HFM and Libertex for beginner education, HFM comes out ahead in the areas that matter most to new traders. HFM offers forex and CFD learning material, along with monthly online client webinars, at least 10 beginner trading videos, and at least 10 advanced videos for those who want to keep learning. Libertex also provides education, but it does not match HFM’s depth for beginners: it does not offer monthly educational webinars, and it falls short on both beginner and advanced video content. Both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for Education, but HFM is ranked #31 out of 36 by ForexBrokers.com, compared with Libertex at #35.
For someone starting out, HFM is the better choice if you want more structured learning and regular webinar access. Libertex still offers educational content, but HFM gives beginners more ways to learn through a wider range of videos and live sessions. In simple terms, both brokers can help you get started, but HFM provides a more complete education offering for new traders.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Libertex. HFM finished with an overall rank of #27, while Libertex finished with an overall rank of #32.
HFM (HF Markets) is a global broker best known for its MetaTrader offering, solid research tools, and proprietary copy trading platform, alongside a broad selection of forex pairs and CFDs.
| Feature |
HFM
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Libertex
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 79 |
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When comparing HFM vs Libertex for cryptocurrency trading, neither online broker offers the ability to buy actual delivered crypto, but both do provide access to cryptocurrency CFDs for traders who want to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset.
When comparing HFM vs Libertex, both brokers support Skrill and bank wire transfers, but Libertex has the edge for funding flexibility because it also offers ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, while HFM 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 | Libertex | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Libertex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Libertex | |
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| Regulation | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 85 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1997 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 1573 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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). | 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 | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.8 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.1 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 38 | 43 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 5 | 0 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | HFM Review | Libertex Review |
| Overall | HFM | Libertex | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Libertex Review |
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