Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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.
Comparing online brokers Trading 212 and HFM: Trading 212 was founded in 2004, while HFM started in 2010. Neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 has a Trust Score of 82 and HFM scores 85; both fall into the “trusted” range of 80–89 (with 90–99 being highly trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and under 59 not trusted).
On regulation, Trading 212 holds 3 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and 0 Tier-2 licenses. HFM holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses (considered trusted). In short, Trading 212 has more top-tier oversight, while HFM pairs solid top-tier coverage with additional mid-tier licenses—useful context when weighing each broker’s regulatory profile.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Trading 212 and HFM are both rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but Trading 212 edges ahead slightly in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, placing #28 out of 36 brokers compared with HFM at #29. Trading 212’s CFD account advertises zero-commission trading, but traders still pay the spread on CFDs and forex. The broker has also started sharing average spread data, which helps with price transparency, but its April 2025 EUR/USD average spread of 2.7 pips is higher than the industry average and may be a drawback for active traders.
HFM’s trading costs are also a bit above average. The company says its standard account typically has a 1.2 pip spread, though it does not provide a date range, so the real average could be higher. Its Zero account can work out to an effective 0.7 pip spread after commission, but that figure is not an average either. In simple terms, both brokers can be affordable for some traders, but neither stands out as a low-cost leader for spreads and fees.
If your main goal is to keep trading costs as low as possible, Trading 212 may appeal for its zero-commission setup, while HFM offers a choice of account types that may suit different trading styles. Still, based on current spread data and category rankings, both brokers sit close together and are best viewed as middle-of-the-pack options for commissions and fees.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2.7 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Trading 212 offers a wider range of investments than HFM, making it the stronger choice for traders and investors who want more variety in one account. It supports forex trading, with 180 currency pairs compared with HFM’s 38, and it also provides access to 13,000 tradeable symbols versus HFM’s 344. Trading 212 stands out further by letting clients buy exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international stock exchanges, while HFM does not offer this type of direct stock investing. Trading 212 also lets users buy actual cryptocurrency as well as crypto CFDs, whereas HFM only offers crypto CFDs.
HFM does have one key advantage in copy trading, which Trading 212 does not provide. Even so, Trading 212 is rated higher for range of investments, earning 5 stars compared with HFM’s 4 stars. ForexBrokers.com also places Trading 212 ahead in this category, ranking it #15 out of 36 brokers, while HFM is ranked #29. Overall, Trading 212 offers the broader selection for anyone looking for more markets and asset types.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13000 | 344 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 180 | 38 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
Trading 212 and HFM both give traders a free demo account and a web-based platform, so each lets you practice and trade in your browser. Both also support trading directly from a chart, which can make order entry quicker and easier. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools review, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars, though Trading 212 ranks higher overall at #19 out of 36 brokers, compared with HFM at #34.
The main difference is in platform choice and extra tools. Trading 212 does not offer its own desktop app, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, or MetaTrader 5, while HFM provides all of these, including a proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, copy trading, MT4, and MT5. That makes HFM the better pick for traders who want more platform options and popular third-party tools, while Trading 212 may appeal to those who prefer a simpler browser-based setup.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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) | 102 | 38 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Trading 212 and HFM both give traders mobile apps for iPhone and Android, along with stock and forex price alerts. Each app also lets users draw trendlines on charts and automatically saves those drawings. In other words, both brokers cover the basic tools most mobile traders expect, and both are rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps.
The biggest difference is charting and account syncing. Trading 212 offers watchlist syncing between its mobile app and online account, while HFM does not, which makes Trading 212 more convenient if you switch between devices. Trading 212 also provides 104 technical studies in its mobile charting, compared with just 5 at HFM. That wider charting range helps explain why Trading 212 ranks #17 out of 36 brokers for mobile trading apps at ForexBrokers.com, while HFM ranks #33.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 5 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Trading 212 and HFM for market research, both brokers give traders access to forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus a market sentiment tool and an economic calendar. However, HFM offers more in-depth research support overall because it includes daily market commentary, Autochartist tools, and Acuity Trading resources such as Signal Centre. Trading 212 does not provide daily commentary or Autochartist, which may matter for traders who want more frequent analysis and trade ideas.
In independent ratings, HFM also comes out ahead for research. ForexBrokers.com gives Trading 212 a 3.5-star Research score and ranks it #33 out of 36 brokers, while HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #18. For traders looking for stronger market research features and more analysis tools, HFM has the edge, though Trading 212 still covers the basics well.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | 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 | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for learning support, both Trading 212 and HFM offer a solid range of trading education, including at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos for more experienced users. Both brokers also provide forex or CFD learning content, with a minimum of 10 educational pieces focused on those topics. Trading 212 gives new traders a helpful start with easy-to-find materials, while HFM adds a bit more variety through live online educational webinars held at least once a month.
When it comes to overall education quality, HFM scores slightly higher with 4 out of 5 stars, compared with Trading 212’s 3.5 stars. That said, Trading 212 ranks higher for education on ForexBrokers.com, placing 20th out of 36 brokers, while HFM is ranked 29th. In simple terms, both brokers can help beginners learn the basics, but HFM stands out for webinars and a slightly higher rating, while Trading 212 holds a stronger position in the category ranking.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | 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 Trading 212 is better than HFM. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #25, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
Best known for its mobile trading app, Trading 212 offers an easy-to-use trading platform suite for CFD and share trading, as well as a large variety of forex pairs. However, despite its well-designed platform and wide range of symbols, its lack of advanced trading tools and flat research offerings hamper Trading 212’s bid to be considered a top broker.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 82 | 85 |
| Range of Investments |
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Comparing Trading 212 vs HFM: Trading 212 lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trade crypto CFDs, while HFM only offers cryptocurrency trading via CFDs and does not provide access to the underlying coins.
Comparing deposit and withdrawal methods, Trading 212 supports ACH/SEPA transfers and bank wires but not PayPal or Skrill, while HFM offers bank wires and Skrill but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | Trading 212 | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 82 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | HFM | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 82 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | 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) | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 13000 | 344 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 180 | 38 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2.7 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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 | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 102 | 38 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | 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 | 104 | 5 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | 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 | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 82 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | HFM Review |
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