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.
Trading 212 and HFM are online brokers with different regulatory footprints. Trading 212, founded in 2004, is not publicly traded and is not a bank; it holds 3 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and 0 Tier-2 licenses. HFM, founded in 2010, is also not publicly traded and not a bank; it holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses (viewed as trusted).
According to ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 has a Trust Score of 80/99 and HFM scores 86/99—both fall into the trusted range. For context, ForexBrokers.com rates 90–99 as highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and 59 or below not trusted.
| 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 |
Both Trading 212 and HFM earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees rankings, Trading 212 is #27 of 63 brokers, while HFM is #28 of 63. This comparison focuses on CFD trading costs.
Trading 212 advertises zero-commission trading, but you still pay the spread. The broker has begun publishing average spread data; in April 2025 its average EUR/USD spread was 2.7 pips, which is higher than the industry norm and makes it less price-competitive for CFD and forex traders. HFM says its trading costs are slightly above the industry average; it cites a typical 1.2-pip spread on standard accounts (no date range provided). Its Zero account lists an effective 0.7-pip spread after commission, but that figure is not an average.
If you value published, dated averages, Trading 212 offers clearer data—though its spreads are wider based on the April 2025 figure. HFM’s quoted numbers look lower, but the lack of dated average data makes them harder to compare directly. Both brokers deliver similar overall ratings, so your choice may come down to whether you prioritize documented averages (Trading 212) or potentially lower quoted pricing (HFM).
| 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) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Trading 212 and HFM both support forex trading as CFDs or spot, and each offers cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual crypto purchases). For the range of investments, Trading 212 clearly lists more: 7,868 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs, compared with HFM’s 500 symbols and 102 pairs.
Another key difference is access to real shares. Trading 212 lets you buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, while HFM does not offer real share dealing on those markets. HFM, however, includes copy trading, which Trading 212 doesn’t. For Range of Investments, Trading 212 is rated 5 stars and ranks 15th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com; HFM is rated 4 stars and ranks 28th. If you want the widest selection and the ability to buy shares directly, Trading 212 stands out. If copy trading is a must-have, HFM may fit better.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7868 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 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). | 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 deliver user-friendly trading platforms and tools, starting with free demo (paper) accounts and proprietary in-house platforms. Each broker offers a web-based platform and lets you place trades directly from charts. Key differences: HFM provides a Windows desktop platform, copy trading, and access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, while Trading 212 does not offer a Windows download, copy trading, or MT4/MT5.
For charting and watchlists, both brokers include the essentials, though exact counts for indicators and watchlist fields are not specified. In independent testing, both earned 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools. However, Trading 212 ranks higher (#19 of 63) than HFM (#33 of 63) at ForexBrokers.com. If you want MetaTrader, copy trading, or a Windows desktop app, HFM stands out. If you prefer a streamlined, web-first experience with an in-house platform and demo trading, Trading 212 is a strong pick.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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) | 54 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Trading 212 and HFM both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with essentials like stock and forex price alerts included. Each app lets you draw trendlines on charts, and both will auto-save your drawings so you don’t lose your work. These shared features make either app a solid pick for everyday trading and quick checks on the go.
If you care about syncing watchlists between your phone and your online account, Trading 212 has the edge—its watchlists sync, while HFM’s do not. Trading 212 also offers far more technical studies (104 vs. HFM’s 30), giving chart-focused traders more tools to analyze markets. Both apps earn 4 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, but ForexBrokers.com ranks Trading 212 higher at #17 out of 63 brokers compared with HFM at #32. In short, Trading 212 suits users who want deeper charting and seamless watchlist sync, while HFM covers the basics well.
| 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 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, HFM pulls ahead thanks to daily market commentary and access to Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental ideas. Both HFM and Trading 212 offer forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, along with a sentiment tool and an economic calendar. Neither broker includes Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools.
Ratings reflect the gap: HFM earns 4 stars and ranks #18 out of 63 brokers for Research on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 scores 3.5 stars and ranks #32. If you value day-to-day commentary and added pattern-recognition insights from Autochartist, HFM is the better pick. If you just need the basics—quality news, a sentiment gauge, and an economic calendar—Trading 212 covers those needs.
| 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 | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Trading 212 vs HFM for beginner education: both brokers provide at least 10 beginner-friendly videos to teach the basics, plus 10+ advanced videos when you’re ready to progress. The big difference is live learning—HFM runs online educational webinars at least once a month, while Trading 212 does not. If you want real-time sessions with Q&A, HFM has the edge; if you prefer to learn at your own pace through videos, Trading 212 fits well.
In independent ratings, Trading 212 earns 3.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #20 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #29 out of 63. In short, choose HFM for frequent webinars alongside a deep video library, or pick Trading 212 if on-demand lessons and a higher education-category ranking are more important to you.
| 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
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HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 86 |
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In the Trading 212 vs HFM comparison, both brokers do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrency but do offer cryptocurrency CFD trading, letting you speculate on crypto prices without owning the underlying asset.
Trading 212 vs HFM: For deposits and withdrawals, Trading 212 supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers but not Skrill, whereas HFM supports Skrill and bank wires 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 | 80 | 86 | |
| 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 | 80 | 86 | |
| 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 SCA 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) | 7868 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 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). | 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) | Yes | 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 | 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 | Trading 212 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 15 | |
| 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 | 30 | |
| 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 | 80 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review | HFM Review |
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