Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote 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.
When it comes to choosing an online broker, Swissquote and HFM offer distinct features and regulatory standings that can influence your decision. Founded in 1996, Swissquote is a publicly traded company and operates as a bank, offering a substantial sense of stability and trust. With a Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote is considered highly trusted, with five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses under its belt. This makes Swissquote an attractive option for those prioritizing safety and regulation in their trading experience.
In comparison, HFM was established in 2010 and is not publicly listed or a bank, which might appeal to traders looking for slightly different operational dynamics. HFM holds a Trust Score of 86, rating it as trusted, and possesses two Tier-1 licenses along with three Tier-2 licenses. While slightly younger and less licensed than Swissquote, HFM still maintains a commendable reputation, offering a reliable option for traders who prioritize trust but might not require the added layers of regulation that come with a bank-backed institution.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
If you’re comparing commissions and fees, HFM has the edge. HFM earns 4/5 stars and ranks #28 of 63 for Commissions and Fees at ForexBrokers.com, while Swissquote earns 3.5/5 stars and ranks #35. Both disclose pricing by account type, but HFM’s costs generally look leaner.
Swissquote’s pricing varies by entity and account, and you typically pay a slight premium. In the U.K., the Elite account (for active traders with $10,000+) uses a $5 round-turn commission with reduced spreads and is the most cost-conscious option there. The Standard account lists EUR/USD from 1.3 pips, and the Prime account shows a 0.6-pip minimum (not an average). In Luxembourg, minimum deposits are $1,000 (Standard), $5,000 (Premium), and $50,000 (Prime), with minimum spreads from about 1.5 pips down to 0.8 pips. In Switzerland, Standard, Premium, and Prime list minimum EUR/USD spreads of 1.7, 1.4, and 1.1 pips respectively, with custom pricing negotiable for high volume. Overall, many Swissquote accounts price above the industry average unless you qualify for Elite.
HFM’s Standard account sits slightly above the industry average, with a company-cited typical EUR/USD spread of 1.2 pips (no date range provided). Its Zero account quotes an effective 0.7-pip cost after commission, though this is not an average figure. In practice, that makes HFM more fee-friendly than most Swissquote setups, unless you’re using Swissquote U.K.’s Elite plan and trading enough volume for the $5 round-turn commission and tighter spreads to pay off.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Swissquote and HFM both support forex trading as CFDs and spot, and each offers copy trading. HFM lists slightly more total instruments (500 vs. Swissquote’s 472) and more forex pairs (102 vs. 80). That said, Swissquote holds the edge overall for range of investments, earning 5 stars and a #2 ranking out of 63 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, while HFM receives 4 stars and ranks #28.
The biggest difference is access to real stocks and crypto. Swissquote lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges (think Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone in London), while HFM does not offer exchange-traded stocks. For digital assets, Swissquote supports both actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and crypto CFDs, whereas HFM offers crypto CFDs only. Choose HFM if you want more forex pairs; pick Swissquote if you want stocks, real crypto, and a broader mix overall.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 102 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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). | 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.
Swissquote vs HFM: Both online brokers offer free demo (paper) trading accounts, proprietary platforms alongside MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each supports copy trading and lets you place orders directly from charts, giving new and experienced traders familiar tools across devices.
Where they differ is in independent ratings: for Trading Platforms and Tools, Swissquote earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #12 of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #33. If platform quality and ratings are a deciding factor, Swissquote holds the edge; if you want similar platform choices with MT4/MT5 and copy trading, HFM remains a competitive pick.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Swissquote and HFM both deliver capable mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app includes price alerts, 30 technical studies for charting, and tools to draw trendlines, with drawings saved automatically. Neither broker supports syncing watchlists between the mobile app and the web platform, so any changes you make won’t carry over between devices.
When it comes to quality scores, Swissquote holds a slight edge: it’s rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #12 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #32. If a higher-rated mobile experience matters most, Swissquote is the stronger pick; if you already trade with HFM, its app still offers similar charting tools and alerts on the go.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Swissquote and HFM both deliver daily market commentary, real-time forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, and helpful charting ideas from Autochartist. Each broker includes an economic calendar to track key events. Neither offers Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools.
The standout difference is sentiment data: HFM provides a tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions, while Swissquote does not. Both earn 4 stars for Research from ForexBrokers.com, with Swissquote ranked #15 out of 63 brokers and HFM at #18. If you value a built-in sentiment gauge, HFM has the edge; if you want a slightly higher-ranked research offering, Swissquote is a touch ahead.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginner traders comparing Swissquote vs HFM, both brokers make it easy to start learning. Each runs client webinars at least once a month and offers at least 10 beginner-friendly videos that explain trading basics in plain language. When you’re ready to go deeper, both also provide 10 or more advanced videos, so you can move from entry-level lessons to more complex strategies without changing platforms. If you’re getting into forex and CFDs, you’ll find plenty of structured, on-demand videos plus live sessions at either broker.
Education quality is well regarded at both firms, with Swissquote and HFM each earning 4 out of 5 stars. That said, Swissquote holds a higher placement in the Education category at ForexBrokers.com, ranking #19 out of 63 brokers, compared with HFM at #29. If third-party rankings matter to you, Swissquote has a slight edge; if your priority is monthly webinars and a good selection of beginner and advanced videos, HFM stays competitive.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 Swissquote is better than HFM. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In a Swissquote vs HFM comparison for cryptocurrency trading, the online broker Swissquote lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies and trade crypto CFDs, whereas HFM offers only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not support purchasing real delivered crypto.
Compare online brokers Swissquote and HFM: Swissquote supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, while HFM supports Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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). | 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 | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Swissquote Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | HFM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill