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 and HFM cater to traders seeking regulated online brokerage services, yet they differ significantly in their trust score and regulatory credentials. Founded in 2008, Plus500 stands as a highly trusted choice with a stellar Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It is also publicly traded, enhancing its transparency. Plus500 supports its credibility with six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. Conversely, HFM, founded in 2010, holds a Trust Score of 86, positioning it in the trusted category. Despite this, HFM is not publicly traded but does hold two Tier-1 and three Tier-2 licenses.
Neither Plus500 nor HFM operates as a bank, which makes understanding their regulatory standings crucial for potential clients. Plus500's extensive licensing and public trading status may appeal to those prioritizing higher trust levels and transparency. HFM, with fewer Tier-1 licenses and no stock exchange presence, might still attract users looking for a trusted platform, albeit with less regulatory reassurance than Plus500. As such, traders should consider these factors when choosing between the two brokerages for their investment needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Plus500 and HFM, notable differences emerge. Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average, particularly for active trader pricing. While they don't offer retail client discounts, Professional clients might benefit from cash rebates. In terms of spreads, Plus500 recorded an average spread of 1.5 pips for EUR/USD in April 2024, which surpasses the typical industry benchmark. Plus500 has been awarded a 4.0-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #25 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Similarly, HFM's trading costs also hover slightly above the industry standard. Their standard trading accounts typically feature a 1.2 pip spread, although the lack of a date range leaves room for variability. For those opting for HFM's Zero account, an effective spread of 0.7 pips is achieved after commission, although this isn't based on an absolute average. For their commissions and fees, HFM holds a 4.0-star rating and ranks #31 out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
Both Plus500 and HFM offer comprehensive services with distinct strengths in their financial offerings. Plus500 is better suited for traders seeking potential rebates through Professional client status, while HFM provides an attractive Zero account option for reduced spreads. Each broker holds a strong position in the market, but individual needs and trading styles will guide the best fit.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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.
When comparing Plus500 and HFM for their range of investments, Plus500 offers a wider variety of trading options. With a selection of 5,500 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, Plus500 provides investors with a broad spectrum of choices. Additionally, Plus500 users can invest directly in exchange-traded securities from both U.S. and international markets, such as Apple and Vodafone shares. However, Plus500 does not offer copy trading and only provides cryptocurrency derivatives rather than direct cryptocurrency investments.
In contrast, HFM offers 500 tradeable symbols and 102 forex pairs. While it does not provide direct access to exchange-traded securities, either from U.S. or international exchanges, HFM supports copy trading to leverage the strategies of successful traders. Like Plus500, HFM offers cryptocurrency derivatives but not real cryptocurrency purchases. Overall, Plus500 is rated 4.5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 24th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while HFM receives 4 stars, holding the 36th position.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | 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). 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 the trading platforms and tools offered by Plus500 and HFM, both brokers provide a range of services tailored to accommodate different types of traders. Plus500 is known for its proprietary platform and it excels as an easy-to-use web-based trading platform. They don't offer a Windows-based desktop application, but they do provide a free virtual demo account for simulated trading, helpful for beginners looking to get a feel for the market. Although Plus500 does not support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), it features an impressive array of 36 drawing tools to enhance charting practices.
HFM, on the other hand, boasts a more diverse offering with its Windows-based desktop platform and proprietary trading software. Like Plus500, HFM also provides a free virtual demo account and a web-based trading option. However, HFM sets itself apart with support for both MT4 and MT5 platforms, in addition to offering copy trading options. Despite this, HFM features slightly fewer drawing tools for charting, coming in at 30, but allows for trading directly from stock charts, which Plus500 does not support. In terms of watch list customization, Plus500 leads with 10 available columns compared to HFM's 7. Ultimately, Plus500 edges ahead in terms of ranking and star rating, being ranked 14th and rated 4.5 stars in trading platforms and tools, while HFM ranks 42nd with a 4-star rating according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Plus500 and HFM offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, allowing traders to stay connected on the go. While both apps provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, Plus500 stands out in a few areas. Notably, Plus500 supports watchlist symbol syncing across devices, ensuring consistent updates between your mobile app and online account, whereas HFM does not offer this feature. In terms of charting, Plus500 provides an impressive 115 technical studies compared to HFM's 30, catering to those who require advanced chart analysis. However, one limitation is that drawings on charts in Plus500's app do not auto-save, whereas HFM does provide this functionality.
When reviewing charting capabilities, both Plus500 and HFM let users draw trendlines and view multiple time frames like daily or intra-day levels. However, Plus500's feature set and user experience garner a higher rating in the mobile trading apps category, with 4.5 stars compared to HFM’s 4 stars. This difference is also reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Plus500 is placed 14th out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, significantly ahead of HFM's 39th position. These distinctions can help potential users decide which platform might better meet their mobile trading needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Plus500 and HFM shine in their offering of daily market commentary, making them valuable resources for traders seeking regular updates. While both platforms furnish traders with sentiment-based tools and comprehensive economic calendars, the divergence in their services becomes apparent in other aspects. Plus500 provides exclusive access to Trading Central’s technical analytics, aiding those traders interested in in-depth analysis, whereas HFM excels by sourcing forex news from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature Plus500 lacks.
Moreover, HFM provides the added advantage of utilizing Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental research, a resource that Plus500 does not offer. While neither broker provides market research from TipRanks or resources from Acuity Trading, they both hold an equal research rating of 4 stars. In terms of ranking, Plus500 narrowly edges out HFM, securing the 19th position over HFM's 20th in the Research category, out of a field of 63 brokers as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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.
For beginners seeking educational resources in forex and CFDs, Plus500 and HFM both provide an array of learning tools to guide newcomers into the world of trading. Each platform offers over 10 educational articles and videos, alongside other educational materials such as webinars that are hosted monthly. Both brokers maintain archives of these webinars, allowing users to access past sessions anytime. Furthermore, they each provide video content tailored specifically for both novice and advanced traders, ensuring users have access to information suited to their skill level.
However, there are certain differences to consider. While Plus500 and HFM both earn a 4-star rating for education, they differ in specific offerings. HFM provides an investor dictionary with definitions for more than 50 investing terms, a resource Plus500 lacks. In terms of ranking, Plus500 stands slightly higher at #31 compared to HFM's position at #37 in the ForexBrokers.com education category. Overall, both brokers deliver comprehensive learning resources, but investors may choose based on the particular educational tools that best suit their personal learning preferences.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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) | No | 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 #14, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
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 | 86 |
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Both Plus500 and HFM do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Plus500 and HFM both support Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but only Plus500 offers PayPal, while neither broker supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | HFM | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| 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 | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 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) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | 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). 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 - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 30 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
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