Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
Plus500 (founded 2008) and HFM (founded 2010) are online brokers with different regulation and trust profiles. Plus500 is publicly traded, while HFM is not; neither is a bank. ForexBrokers.com gives Plus500 a Trust Score of 99/99 and HFM 85/99; by its scale, 90–99 = highly trusted, 80–89 = trusted, 70–79 = average risk, 60–69 = high risk, and below 59 = not trusted.
License coverage also differs: Plus500 holds 7 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 4 Tier-2 licenses (trusted), compared with HFM’s 2 Tier-1 and 3 Tier-2 licenses. Both are regulated and considered trustworthy, but Plus500 carries a higher trust rating and a broader set of top-tier regulators.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
Plus500 and HFM both sit a little above the industry average on commissions and fees, but Plus500 comes out ahead overall. Plus500 charges no retail trading discounts, though some Professional clients may qualify for cash rebates. Its EUR/USD spread averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is on the higher side compared with many competitors. Plus500 is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #25 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
HFM also has pricing that is slightly above average. Its standard accounts are said to typically offer a 1.2 pip spread, although no specific time period is given, so real-world costs may vary. The Zero account can work out to an effective 0.7 pip spread after commission, but that is not presented as an average. HFM is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #29 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
For traders comparing the two, Plus500 appears to have a small edge in overall value for commissions and fees, especially when looking at the published ranking. HFM may appeal to some active traders through its Zero account, but Plus500’s stronger placement and more transparent example spread make it the slightly better choice in this category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, Plus500 offers the wider selection overall. It lists about 5,500 tradable symbols, including 65 forex pairs, while HFM offers 344 tradable symbols and 38 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and both let you trade cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither offers buying actual, delivered crypto.
Plus500 also stands out for giving clients access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, so you can buy real shares such as Apple or Vodafone. HFM does not offer exchange-traded securities on those markets, but it does provide copy trading, which Plus500 does not. Based on ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is rated 4.5 out of 5 for Range of Investments and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 and ranks #29.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 344 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 38 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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.
When comparing Plus500 and HFM for trading platforms and tools, both brokers make it easy to get started with a free demo account and each offers a proprietary platform plus a web-based trading option. Plus500 stands out for its simple setup and higher rating in this category, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #14 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. It does not offer a Windows desktop download, copy trading, or the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms.
HFM gives traders more platform choices, including a Windows desktop app, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5, along with the ability to trade directly from a chart. That makes it a stronger pick for traders who want more tools and flexibility. However, HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #35 out of 36 in the same category, so while it offers more features, Plus500 is rated higher overall for trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 38 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and HFM both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each app supports price alerts plus the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Where Plus500 pulls ahead is in day-to-day usability: its mobile app syncs watchlists with the online account, so updates appear across devices, and it offers 115 technical studies for chart analysis. HFM’s app, by comparison, includes only 5 technical studies and does not sync watchlists between mobile and web.
There is also a difference in chart convenience and overall ratings. HFM does auto-save chart drawings in its mobile app, while Plus500 does not. Even so, Plus500 earns a higher user rating for mobile trading apps at 4.5 out of 5 stars, compared with HFM’s 4 stars. On ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 ranks #14 out of 36 brokers for mobile trading apps, while HFM ranks #34, making Plus500 the stronger choice overall for mobile traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 5 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Plus500 and HFM both give traders daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar to track key global events. In ForexBrokers.com’s Research category, Plus500 is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #18, putting Plus500 slightly ahead overall.
The main difference is in the research sources and tools each broker offers. HFM includes forex news from well-known providers such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, plus Autochartist and Acuity Trading tools like Signal Centre, while Plus500 does not. On the other hand, Plus500 offers Trading Central tools, which HFM does not. Neither broker offers TipRanks research, so the choice may come down to whether you prefer more news and third-party tools with HFM or Trading Central support with Plus500.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners who want to learn before they trade, both Plus500 and HFM offer a helpful range of education. Each broker provides at least 10 forex or CFD learning pieces, monthly client webinars, and 10 or more beginner videos as well as 10 or more advanced videos, so both give new traders plenty of material to study. That said, Plus500 comes out a bit ahead in the overall Education category, with a 4.5-star rating and a #27 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com.
HFM also gives beginners a solid learning path, with the same core mix of articles, webinars, and video content focused on trading topics. However, its education score is slightly lower at 4 stars, and it ranks #30 out of 36 brokers for Education. If you want the broker with the stronger overall education offering, Plus500 has the edge, while HFM still remains a good choice for traders looking for basic learning tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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 Plus500 is better than HFM. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #11, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 |
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Online brokers Plus500 and HFM do not allow purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both provide cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Comparing deposit and withdrawal methods, Plus500 and HFM both lack ACH/SEPA but support bank wire transfers; Plus500 also offers PayPal and Skrill, while HFM supports Skrill but not PayPal, and 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 | Plus500 | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | HFM | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 344 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 38 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.3 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 38 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | 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 | 115 | 5 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
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