Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Markets4you, 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, online broker HFM operates as a private entity and is not listed on any stock exchange. Though it doesn't function as a bank, HFM boasts a reputable standing in the financial world, holding two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 86 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, HFM falls into the 'trusted' category, making it a reliable choice for investors seeking a secure trading platform.
In contrast, Markets4you was established slightly earlier in 2007, but like HFM, it remains privately held and not bank-affiliated. Lacking any Tier-1 or Tier-2 licenses, Markets4you holds a Trust Score of 61 out of 99. This positions it in the 'high risk' bracket according to ForexBrokers.com, suggesting potential investors proceed with caution when considering this broker for their trading activities.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
HFM’s commissions and fees sit slightly above the industry average. On its Standard account, the company lists a typical spread of 1.2 pips, but no date range is provided, so the true average may be higher. The Zero account lists an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, which is also not an average. For Commissions and Fees, HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #32 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Markets4you does not publish average spread data, making it difficult to estimate everyday trading costs. In the Commissions and Fees category, Markets4you holds a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating and is ranked #55 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Comparing the two, HFM provides more pricing indicators than Markets4you, though neither offers verified averages for the figures cited. Based on independent ratings and rankings, HFM comes out ahead on commissions and fees—especially with its quoted Zero account effective spread—while Markets4you’s pricing is less transparent. Always check live spreads and commission schedules before placing trades.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A |
| 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 vs. Markets4you: when it comes to the range of investments, HFM offers about 500 tradeable symbols and 102 forex pairs, while Markets4you lists around 150 symbols and 43 forex pairs. Both brokers offer forex trading, either as CFDs or spot, along with copy trading. You can trade crypto via derivatives at both, but neither broker sells actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies or provides access to exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges.
For breadth of markets, HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 37th out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments at ForexBrokers.com. Markets4you earns 3.5 stars and ranks 59th. If having more symbols and currency pairs is a priority, HFM has the edge; if you’re comfortable with a smaller lineup and want similar features like copy trading and crypto derivatives, Markets4you can still be a fit.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 43 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | 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). | 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 Markets4you both check the key boxes for platform choice and ease of use. Each offers a free demo account for paper trading, a proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. They also support copy trading, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and let you place trades directly from charts—useful for quick entries and exits.
Both brokers earn 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, yet HFM holds a slight edge in the category, ranking #43 of 63 brokers versus Markets4you at #53 on ForexBrokers.com. Specific counts for chart indicators, drawing tools, and watchlist fields weren’t provided, so the best way to compare the feel and features is to test-drive their free demo accounts side by side.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and Markets4you both deliver capable mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and charting with 30 technical studies. You can draw trendlines, and your drawings auto-save, which makes it easier to pick up where you left off. These shared features make either app a practical choice for on-the-go traders.
There are a few gaps to note. Neither HFM nor Markets4you syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and your online account. Both earn 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, yet HFM ranks higher in the ForexBrokers.com category (#40 out of 63) compared with Markets4you (#51 out of 63). Details about multi–time-frame chart views weren’t specified for either broker.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
HFM and Markets4you both deliver strong market research basics: daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, Autochartist-powered analysis tools, and a clear economic calendar. Key differences stand out: Markets4you adds Trading Central analysis, while HFM does not. HFM includes a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning across instruments, which Markets4you lacks. HFM does not feature TipRanks or Acuity Trading (Signal Centre); Markets4you’s access to TipRanks or Acuity Trading wasn’t specified.
In independent ratings, HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #20 out of 63 brokers for research at ForexBrokers.com, while Markets4you scores 3.5 stars and ranks #48. If you want sentiment data to help read market positioning, HFM is the better fit; if you prefer Trading Central’s research, Markets4you has the advantage.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
If you’re comparing HFM and Markets4you for beginner forex and CFD education, HFM is the more hands-on choice. HFM runs educational client webinars at least once a month and provides 10+ beginner trading videos, plus 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. Markets4you does not run monthly webinars and does not offer 10+ beginner or advanced videos, so its educational path is less video-driven for newcomers.
Other learning tools are not confirmed for either broker, including whether they have a searchable archive of recorded webinars, an investor dictionary with 50+ terms, or at least 10 total forex/CFD education pieces across articles, videos, or archived webinars. According to ForexBrokers.com, HFM earns 4/5 stars for Education and ranks #37 out of 63, while Markets4you earns 3.5/5 stars but ranks higher at #26. In short, pick HFM if you want frequent live sessions and a larger video library; pick Markets4you if the higher education ranking matters more than live events and video depth.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Markets4you. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Markets4you finished with an overall rank of #56.
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
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 61 |
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Both HFM and Markets4you provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the capability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
HFM vs Markets4you: for deposits and withdrawals, neither broker supports ACH/SEPA or PayPal, both offer Skrill and bank wire transfers, while Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | Markets4you | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 61 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Markets4you | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 61 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2007 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 43 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | 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). | 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY | Yes | No | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | No | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | No | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | No | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | HFM | Markets4you | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 61 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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