Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA 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.
OANDA, established in 1996, and HFM, which began its operations in 2010, are both online brokers that offer trading services. Neither of them is publicly traded or operates as a bank. When it comes to regulatory standing, these brokers display distinct levels of trustworthiness. OANDA holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, the type regarded as highly reliable and has earned a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, categorizing it as highly trusted.
On the other hand, HFM holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, which are still respectable but fall short of OANDA's credentials. HFM carries a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, placing it in the “trusted” category. While both brokers are considered reliable, OANDA slightly edges out HFM in terms of overall regulatory backing and trust score.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
Comparing OANDA vs HFM on commissions and fees: both earn 4 out of 5 stars, yet HFM ranks slightly higher (#32 of 63) than OANDA (#35 of 63) in the Commissions and Fees category at ForexBrokers.com. Each broker’s headline pricing suggests competitive options, but the lack of consistently published, time-stamped averages makes apples-to-apples comparisons tricky.
OANDA’s trading costs skew higher than the cheapest brokers. Its non-core pricing averaged 1.61 pips on EUR/USD in July 2024. The core pricing account lowers the spread but adds a per-side commission of $5 per $100,000 traded (about $10 per round turn per standard lot) and requires a $10,000 minimum deposit. In a common scenario, a 0.4-pip core spread plus the commission-equivalent of about 1 pip results in an all-in cost near 1.4 pips—slightly better than the 1.6-pip default example. Perks include micro-position sizing down to 1 unit, active-trader rebates of $5–$17 per million, and subscription reimbursements in select jurisdictions. OANDA publishes trailing spread data for transparency, though it doesn’t provide fixed-period averages.
HFM’s trading costs are slightly above the industry average. The company cites a typical 1.2-pip spread on standard accounts, but it does not provide a date range, so the true average may be higher. Its Zero account advertises an effective 0.7-pip spread after commission, yet this figure is not an average either. In short: OANDA’s example all-in core pricing lands around 1.4 pips on EUR/USD (with a deposit requirement), while HFM’s headline Zero number is lower on paper, but both brokers’ published figures should be treated with care due to limited time-frame disclosures.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.69 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
OANDA and HFM both support forex trading as CFDs and spot, but their lineups differ. OANDA offers a much wider catalog with 4,172 tradeable symbols, compared with HFM’s 500. If your goal is a large choice of markets beyond forex, OANDA stands out. If you focus on currencies, HFM lists more forex pairs (102) than OANDA (69), which could appeal to dedicated FX traders.
For stocks and crypto, OANDA is more versatile. It lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges, while HFM does not offer real shares. Both brokers support copy trading. In crypto, OANDA offers both actual coins and crypto derivatives, whereas HFM provides only crypto derivatives. Both earned 4 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments; however, OANDA ranks 28th out of 63 brokers, ahead of HFM at 37th, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
OANDA and HFM both check key boxes for platform coverage and ease of access. Each broker offers paper trading through a free demo account, a proprietary in-house platform, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, copy trading, and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Both also let you place trades directly from charts. Neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to tools, OANDA provides 74 drawing tools versus HFM’s 30, while HFM offers one extra watchlist column (7 vs. 6). Both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, but OANDA ranks higher with ForexBrokers.com (#15 of 63) compared with HFM (#43 of 63). If you value a larger set of drawing tools and a higher category ranking, OANDA may appeal; if you want slightly more watchlist fields, HFM has an edge.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary 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 |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 74 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
OANDA and HFM both offer full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app includes price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and 30 built-in technical studies for charting. You can draw trendlines, switch among multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and your chart drawings auto-save. One limitation they share: watchlists created on mobile don’t sync with the online account, so changes don’t carry over between devices and web.
Where they differ is in quality scores. For Mobile Trading Apps, OANDA earns 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #40. If you want similar features with higher app ratings and industry rank, OANDA has the edge; if you already trade with HFM, its app still covers the key tools most traders need.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing OANDA and HFM for their market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. They also offer the popular Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental analysis. However, neither broker includes tools from Trading Central or market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Both OANDA and HFM offer sentiment-based trading tools and maintain economic calendars to keep traders informed of upcoming global events.
Despite these similarities, OANDA and HFM differ in their overall research ratings and rankings. OANDA scores higher with a 5-star rating and ranks 5th among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, while HFM has a 4-star rating, holding the 20th position. This distinction may influence traders looking for a broker with comprehensive research capabilities and widely recognized prestige in the industry.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing OANDA vs HFM for beginner education, both brokers deliver plenty of forex and CFD learning materials. Each offers 10+ educational pieces, runs at least one live client webinar every month, and keeps a searchable archive of past sessions. You’ll also find 10+ beginner video lessons, 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up, and an investor dictionary that explains 50+ trading terms—helpful for getting comfortable with the basics.
Where they differ is in third‑party evaluations. OANDA earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #19 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #37. If you want the higher‑rated learning experience, OANDA has the edge. If you’re comparing options and simply need steady webinars, video lessons, and a clear glossary, HFM still checks those boxes for beginners.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that OANDA is better than HFM. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 86 |
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OANDA provides options to purchase both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas HFM only offers cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to buy the actual cryptocurrencies.
OANDA stands out with its diverse funding options including ACH, SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while HFM offers Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks both ACH, SEPA transfers and PayPal methods.
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 | OANDA | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | HFM Review |
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| Regulation | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.69 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary 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 | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 74 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | OANDA | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | OANDA Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | OANDA | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | HFM Review |
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