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 |
Comparing commissions and fees, both Plus500 and HFM price slightly above the industry average. Plus500 earns 4.0/5 stars and ranks #24 out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4/5 stars and ranks #28 out of 63.
Plus500’s pricing trails top active-trader offerings from brokers like IG or Saxo. For EUR/USD, Plus500 posted an average spread of 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry average. It doesn’t offer retail discounts, though Professional clients may qualify for cash rebates similar to an active-trader program.
HFM’s trading costs are also a bit above average. The Standard account lists a typical 1.2-pip spread, but no date range is provided, so the true average may be higher. The Zero account advertises an effective 0.7-pip cost after commission, though this figure is also not an average. In short: Plus500 provides a recent, documented average (1.5 pips on EUR/USD), while HFM lists indicative figures that may not reflect realized costs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | 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.
Comparing Plus500 vs HFM on range of investments: both brokers support forex trading (CFD/spot). Plus500 offers far more total instruments, with about 5,500 tradeable symbols versus HFM’s 500. Forex fans may prefer HFM’s deeper currency lineup (about 102 pairs) compared with Plus500’s 65. For stocks, Plus500 stands out by letting clients buy real, exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, while HFM does not offer real share dealing. Crypto access is similar—neither broker sells actual coins, but both provide cryptocurrency CFDs. If copy trading matters, HFM has it and Plus500 does not.
On independent ratings for range of investments, Plus500 earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers, while HFM scores 4/5 stars and ranks #28. In short, Plus500 suits traders who want extensive market choice and the ability to buy real stocks, whereas HFM appeals to forex-focused traders who value copy trading alongside CFD markets, including crypto CFDs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 102 |
| 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.
Comparing Plus500 vs HFM for trading platforms and tools: both provide a free demo account and an in-house platform you can access in your browser. Plus500 keeps things simple with its proprietary web platform only, while HFM offers more ways to trade, including a downloadable Windows desktop platform, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and built-in copy trading. HFM also lets you place orders directly from a chart; Plus500 does not.
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 scores 4.5/5 stars and ranks 14th out of 63 brokers for platforms and tools, while HFM earns 4/5 stars and ranks 33rd. If you want a straightforward web experience, Plus500 fits the bill; if you need MT4/MT5, copy trading, chart-based order entry, or a Windows download, HFM has those options. Note: the number of chart indicators and watchlist columns for each broker was not specified.
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Plus500 and HFM both offer iPhone and Android trading apps with price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on stock and forex charts. The main differences show up in charting and watchlists: Plus500 includes 115 technical studies and syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while HFM provides 30 technical studies and does not sync watchlists. If you rely on many indicators or frequently update watchlists across devices, Plus500 may feel more seamless.
For chart annotations, HFM auto-saves your drawings, whereas Plus500 does not. In independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 earned 4.5 stars and ranked 14th out of 63 for Mobile Trading Apps, while HFM received 4 stars and ranked 32nd. Both apps cover the essentials, but Plus500 stands out for deeper chart tools and account syncing, while HFM appeals if saved drawings are your priority.
| 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 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Plus500 and HFM cover the basics for market research with daily commentary, a sentiment tool to see long vs. short positioning, and an economic calendar. Key differences: HFM streams forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg/Reuters-class providers and includes Autochartist for pattern and signal ideas. Plus500 does not offer those, but it does provide Trading Central for technical and fundamental insights. Neither broker includes TipRanks or research from Acuity Trading.
If live news and Autochartist matter most, HFM has the edge. If you prefer Trading Central’s analysis, Plus500 is the better fit. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 earns 4.0 stars for research and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #18.
| 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 | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing Plus500 and HFM on learning tools, both brokers deliver forex and CFD education that clears the “10+ pieces” bar. Each runs client webinars at least once a month and offers sizable on‑demand libraries with 10+ beginner videos as well as 10+ advanced videos, so you can start with the basics and keep progressing. That mix of webinars and structured video lessons makes either platform a practical place to build confidence in trading.
When it comes to third‑party ratings, Plus500 holds a slight edge: it earns 4.0 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #26 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #29. In short, both are strong choices for beginner education, with Plus500 just ahead overall and HFM close behind.
| 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 #14, 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 | 86 |
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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 | 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 (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 SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 102 | |
| 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) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 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 | 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 | 15 | |
| 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 | 30 | |
| 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 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
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