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 slightly above the industry average for commissions and fees, but Plus500 comes out a bit better on cost transparency and ranking. Plus500’s EUR/USD spread averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry norm, and it does not offer retail client discounts. That said, eligible Professional clients may receive cash rebates through an active-trader-style program. Plus500 is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #26 out of 36 brokers in this category.
HFM is also priced a little above average overall. Its standard account is advertised with a typical 1.2-pip spread, though HFM does not provide a specific date range for that figure, so the real average could be higher. The Zero account can be more competitive, with an effective 0.7-pip spread after commission, but again this is not an average spread. HFM is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #30 out of 36 brokers.
In simple terms, neither broker is a clear low-cost leader, but Plus500 has the edge over HFM in this comparison because it places higher in the rankings and offers a bit more clarity around its pricing data. If your main focus is keeping trading costs as low as possible, it is worth comparing each broker’s account type and spread pricing closely before opening an account.
| 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 more choice than HFM. Plus500 provides access to 5,500 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, compared with HFM’s 344 symbols and 38 forex pairs. Both brokers offer forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, and both support cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual delivered crypto.
Plus500 also stands out for offering exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone shares, while HFM does not offer these listed shares. On the other hand, HFM does include copy trading, which Plus500 does not. Overall, Plus500 is rated 4.5 out of 5 for range of investments and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 and ranks #30.
| 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.
Plus500 and HFM both give traders a free demo account, a proprietary platform, and a web-based trading platform, so each broker makes it easy to practice and trade online. That said, HFM offers more platform choices for active traders, including a Windows desktop app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. Plus500 is simpler in comparison, focusing mainly on its own platform and browser-based access rather than third-party tools.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, Plus500 edges ahead in independent ratings, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #14 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #36 out of 36, even though it offers more features overall. For traders who want a straightforward platform experience, Plus500 may appeal, while HFM may suit those looking for more advanced tools and platform options.
| 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 includes price alerts plus the ability to draw trendlines on charts. For everyday mobile trading, that means both brokers give clients the basic tools needed to track the market and manage trades from a phone or tablet. Plus500, however, stands out with watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account, so changes stay updated across devices, while HFM does not offer this feature.
When it comes to charting, Plus500 has a clear edge with 115 technical studies in its mobile app compared with just 5 at HFM. HFM does have one useful advantage: chart drawings auto-save, while Plus500 does not. Overall, Plus500 is rated higher for mobile trading apps at 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 36 brokers, while HFM is rated 4 stars and ranks #35, making Plus500 the stronger choice for mobile app features and usability.
| 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 looking to learn forex or CFD trading, both Plus500 and HFM provide a wide range of educational content. Each broker offers at least 10 education pieces focused on forex or CFDs, plus monthly online client webinars and more than 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos covering trading topics. This means new traders can find plenty of material at either broker to build their knowledge step by step.
That said, Plus500 has the edge in education quality and overall ranking. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #27 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Education category, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #31. For learners who want a slightly stronger education offering, Plus500 comes out ahead, though HFM still gives beginners a solid set of 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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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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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 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| 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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