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 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Tickmill offers two main choices: the commission-free Classic account and the low-spread Raw account (which replaced the Pro account after VIP was discontinued). The Raw account charges $3 per side per standard lot ($6 round turn) and lists a typical EUR/USD spread of 0.11 pips, giving an all-in cost of about 0.71 pips under normal market conditions. Tickmill’s Classic account is spread-only with a higher average spread of 1.76 pips (Aug 2023). The Raw account’s $100 minimum keeps entry accessible. For commissions and fees, Tickmill is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
HFM’s trading costs are slightly above the industry average. The company states a typical spread of 1.2 pips for its standard (spread-only) accounts, though no date range is provided. Its Zero account quotes an effective 0.7-pip spread after commission, but this figure is not an average and may vary. For commissions and fees, HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #28 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Head to head: Tickmill’s Raw account posts a typical all-in cost of about 0.71 pips on EUR/USD, which is roughly in line with HFM’s quoted 0.7 pips on the Zero account—though Tickmill’s figure is based on typical conditions, while HFM’s is not an average. For spread-only trading, HFM’s stated 1.2 pips undercuts Tickmill Classic’s 1.76 pips. Active traders seeking low, transparent all-in pricing may prefer Tickmill Raw, while spread-only traders comparing headline spreads may lean toward HFM’s standard account.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.70 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 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.
Tickmill vs HFM: both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot and both support copy trading. Each offers cryptocurrency CFDs but not real, delivered crypto. Neither broker provides access to exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international stock exchanges. Where they differ is in market breadth: Tickmill lists 637 tradeable symbols and 63 forex pairs, while HFM lists 500 symbols but a larger set of 102 forex pairs.
If you want more overall instruments, Tickmill has the wider catalog. If you’re focused on currency trading, HFM’s deeper selection of pairs may appeal. For Range of Investments, ForexBrokers.com rates Tickmill at 3.5/5 stars (ranked 30th of 63) and HFM at 4/5 stars (ranked 28th of 63).
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 637 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 102 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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.
Tickmill and HFM both check the key boxes for trading platforms and tools. Each offers free paper trading via a demo account, Windows-based desktop and web platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. The main difference is that HFM also provides a proprietary, in-house platform, while Tickmill focuses on third-party options like MetaTrader.
Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings out of 63 brokers, Tickmill places at #24 while HFM comes in at #33. Choose Tickmill if you want a straightforward MetaTrader setup across desktop and web, or pick HFM if you want MetaTrader plus the option to try an additional proprietary platform.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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) | 91 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Tickmill vs HFM: Both brokers offer full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, 30 built-in technical studies for charting, the ability to draw trendlines, and auto-saving of chart drawings. One notable limitation is the same for both: watchlist symbol syncing is not available, so changes made on mobile won’t automatically match your web or desktop lists.
For ratings, both Tickmill and HFM earn 4 stars for their mobile trading apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, Tickmill ranks #25 out of 63 brokers, while HFM ranks #32 out of 63—giving Tickmill a slight edge in the standings. If you want similar charting and alert features on the go, either app works well; if rankings matter to you, Tickmill is the marginal favorite. If synced watchlists are essential, you may need an alternative or be ready to manage lists separately.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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.
Comparing Tickmill vs HFM for market research, both brokers deliver daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. Each earns a 4-star research rating; HFM sits slightly higher at #18 in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, with Tickmill close behind at #19.
The key differences are in extra research tools. HFM includes Autochartist for chart patterns and trade ideas, while Tickmill does not. Neither broker offers Trading Central or TipRanks. Tickmill counters with Acuity Trading (including Signal Centre), which HFM does not provide. In short, choose HFM if you want Autochartist’s pattern scanning, or Tickmill if you prefer Acuity’s signals and insights alongside strong news and market coverage.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
If you’re comparing Tickmill vs HFM for beginner forex and CFD education, both brokers check the key boxes. Each hosts online educational webinars at least once a month, and both offer at least 10 beginner-focused videos to help you learn the basics, plus at least 10 advanced videos when you’re ready to go deeper.
Both Tickmill and HFM earn 4 out of 5 stars for Education. However, Tickmill ranks higher overall (#14 of 63) than HFM (#29) in the ForexBrokers.com Education category. In practice, beginners can learn effectively with either broker—choose Tickmill if a higher-ranked education hub matters to you, or go with HFM if you prefer its platform while still getting regular webinars and a sizable library of videos.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 Tickmill is better than HFM. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #23, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
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
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HFM
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 86 |
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Tickmill vs HFM: neither online broker supports purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Between online brokers Tickmill and HFM, both lack ACH/SEPA transfers but allow Skrill and bank wire funding, with Tickmill additionally offering PayPal while HFM does not.
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 (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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) | 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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 637 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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 account | 1.70 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 91 | 15 | |
| 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 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 | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Tickmill | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| 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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