Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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.
Tickmill and HFM are both reputable online brokerage firms with solid trust ratings. Founded in 2014, Tickmill has built a strong reputation in the trading community. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are among the most trusted regulatory endorsements, and two Tier-2 licenses, signifying a high level of trust. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, Tickmill maintains a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86 out of 99, placing it in the 'trusted' category.
Established in 2010, HFM also garners a Trust Score of 86 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, similar to Tickmill. HFM is not listed on a stock exchange and is not a bank, yet it holds an impressive array of regulatory approvals. It possesses two Tier-1 licenses, indicating high trust, alongside three Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a significant level of regulatory trust. Both brokers offer reliable platforms for online trading, ensuring a secure environment for their clients.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Tickmill and HFM, there are notable differences to consider, especially for active traders. Tickmill offers a Raw account with a newly updated commission structure priced at $3 per side or $6 per standard lot. Although this marks a slight increase from previous rates, Tickmill still shines as one of the top brokers for active traders, thanks to its low average spreads and overall affordable trading costs. In contrast, Tickmill’s Classic account comes without commissions but has higher average spreads at 1.76 pips as of August 2023. With competitive pricing, Tickmill holds a five-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks 4th among 63 brokers, reinforcing its appeal to savvy traders.
Tickmill's Raw account, which replaced the previous Pro and VIP accounts, is equipped with the broker's best spreads. As of October 2023, typical spreads stand at 0.11 pips for the EUR/USD when using the Raw account. Nevertheless, taking into account the latest commission rate, the overall cost to trade becomes 0.71 pips. The Raw account remains highly accessible with a low entry barrier of just $100 and is an excellent choice for various trading styles, including algorithmic trading, due to its cost-effective spreads and updated commission structure. This ensures that even with recent changes, Tickmill remains a favored option for traders seeking low-cost executions.
On the other hand, HFM presents its trading costs slightly above the industry average. For standard accounts, traders face typical spreads of around 1.2 pips, though an exact date range isn’t specified, implying potential fluctuations. HFM's Zero account features a more competitive effective spread of 0.7 pips post-commission but is not consistently average across trades. While HFM holds a four-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks 31st out of 63 brokers, its costs might not be as appealing to traders prioritizing lowest possible trading fees.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 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.
Tickmill and HFM both offer traders the ability to engage in forex trading through either CFDs or spot contracts. When it comes to the variety of tradeable symbols, Tickmill outperforms HFM, offering a choice of 725 symbols compared to HFM's 500. However, HFM provides a more extensive selection of forex pairs with 102 options, whereas Tickmill presents 63 pairs. Neither broker offers the option to directly purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets, such as Apple or Vodafone shares.
Investors seeking to participate in cryptocurrency trading at both Tickmill and HFM can engage with derivatives, though neither offers the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies. Additionally, both platforms provide copy trading features for users. In terms of investment range ratings, Tickmill receives 3.5 stars, whereas HFM is rated slightly higher at 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill is ranked 42nd among 63 brokers for its range of investments, while HFM ranks 36th, hinting at a broader appeal in its investment offerings.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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.
For traders exploring online brokers, both Tickmill and HFM offer comprehensive trading platforms and tools. Each provides a free virtual demo account, allowing traders to practice before investing real money. When it comes to trading platforms, both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). However, only HFM offers a proprietary platform developed in-house, whereas Tickmill does not. Both brokers cater to those who prefer a Windows-based desktop experience as well as web-based trading, ensuring accessibility from various devices. For traders interested in copy trading, both brokers meet this need, although neither provides ZuluTrade or DupliTrade integrations.
Charting capabilities differ slightly between the two brokers. HFM stands out with 30 drawing tools, double the 15 tools offered by Tickmill. This difference might appeal to more technical analysts. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts and offer seven columns for creating watch lists. When rated on their trading platforms and tools, Tickmill and HFM both earn a commendable four-star rating. Despite their similar ratings, Tickmill is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com at 32nd out of 63 brokers, compared to HFM's 42nd place. This difference might influence a trader's choice, particularly if platform ranking plays a significant role in their decision-making process.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Tickmill and HFM, both platforms cater to iPhone and Android users, offering essential features for traders on the go. Tickmill and HFM both provide price alerts for stocks and forex, and allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, watchlist symbol syncing across devices is not supported by either app. Charting capabilities are similar; both apps offer 30 technical studies and let users draw trendlines as well as view multiple time frames such as daily, weekly, or intraday. For those meticulous about maintaining their analysis, both apps automatically save chart drawings.
In terms of ratings, Tickmill and HFM both score 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. According to ForexBrokers.com, out of 63 brokers, Tickmill is ranked at #32, while HFM is positioned at #39. This suggests that although they share many common features, Tickmill slightly outperforms HFM in the eyes of ForexBrokers.com. For traders seeking a reliable mobile app experience, both brokers present a strong set of functionalities, but individual preferences might tip the scale in favor of one over the other.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both Tickmill and HFM offer valuable insights for their users, including daily market commentary and forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Traders with either broker can access sentiment-based tools to gauge market trends through ratios of long or short positions. Both brokers also provide an economic calendar to keep investors informed about important global economic events. However, there are some differences. HFM stands out by offering technical analysis and research tools from Autochartist, providing traders with detailed market analyses. Meanwhile, Tickmill partners with Acuity Trading, offering tools from Signal Centre, which can be advantageous for certain trading strategies.
In terms of ratings, both brokers score four out of five stars for their research offerings, indicating a strong performance in providing insights and tools. However, HFM has a slight edge in overall ranking, coming in at #20 compared to Tickmill's #22 among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. While neither offers research tools from TipRanks or Trading Central, the choice between Tickmill and HFM may ultimately depend on a trader's preference for specific tools like Autochartist or Acuity Trading.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners diving into the world of forex and CFDs, both Tickmill and HFM offer a wide array of educational resources. Each platform provides a generous collection of at least ten educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, specifically aimed at fostering an understanding of forex and CFDs. Additionally, both brokers host monthly online webinars, providing newcomers with an interactive learning experience. For those who prefer learning at their own pace, each broker maintains a searchable archive of recorded webinars, allowing users to revisit topics as needed.
Furthermore, both Tickmill and HFM cater to traders at different stages of their journey. They offer over ten educational videos for beginners, thus laying a solid foundation by covering various trading topics. Advanced traders are not left out, as there are also videos tailored for more experienced users, exceeding ten in number. A valuable addition to their educational suite is an investor dictionary containing definitions of over fifty investing terms, enhancing the learning process. Despite both receiving a four-star rating for education, Tickmill holds a higher ranking than HFM, coming in at #15 out of 63 brokers, compared to HFM's #37. This distinction might reflect the nuanced differences in their approach to educating traders.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Tickmill is better than HFM. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 |
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Both Tickmill and HFM do not provide the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
Tickmill and HFM both provide options for depositing and withdrawing account funds via Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but Tickmill offers additional flexibility with PayPal, which HFM does not support, 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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | HFM | |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | 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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | HFM Review |
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