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 |
When comparing commissions and fees, Trading 212 and HFM are both rated 4 out of 5 stars, but Trading 212 ranks slightly higher at #29 out of 36 brokers, while HFM sits just behind at #30. Trading 212’s CFD account is promoted as zero-commission, yet traders still pay the spread on CFDs and forex. Its published April 2025 average EUR/USD spread of 2.7 pips is relatively high, which makes it less competitive on pricing than many top forex and CFD brokers.
HFM’s trading costs are also a little above the industry average. On its standard accounts, HFM says spreads typically start at 1.2 pips, though it does not provide a date range, so the real average may be higher. Its Zero account shows an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, but this is not presented as an average either. For traders mainly focused on fees, both brokers are fairly similar overall, with HFM offering slightly better pricing in some account types and Trading 212 providing more transparency around its average spread data.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 2.7 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 2.7 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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 much wider range of investments than HFM, making it the stronger choice for traders and investors who want more variety in one account. Trading 212 provides access to 13,000 tradeable symbols and 180 forex pairs, compared with HFM’s 344 symbols and 38 forex pairs. Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and both let clients trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
Where Trading 212 stands out further is in real asset access. It offers exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, so you can buy shares such as Apple or Vodafone directly, while HFM does not offer these products. Trading 212 also allows clients to buy actual cryptocurrency, whereas HFM does not. HFM does have copy trading, which Trading 212 does not, but for range of investments overall, Trading 212 is rated higher at 5 stars and ranked #14 out of 36 brokers, versus HFM’s 4 stars and #30 ranking.
| 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, so you can practice with virtual money before risking real funds. Each broker also offers a web-based platform and lets you trade directly from a chart. Both are rated 4 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, showing that each provides a solid trading setup for everyday users.
The bigger difference is in platform choice and extra tools. Trading 212 focuses on its web platform and does not offer a proprietary desktop app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or copy trading. HFM, by contrast, offers its own in-house platform, a Windows desktop download, MT4, MT5, and copy trading, giving active traders more ways to trade. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking for trading platforms and tools, Trading 212 places #19 out of 36 brokers, while HFM ranks #36.
| 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 offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. Each broker also earns a 4-star rating for mobile trading apps, so both provide a solid basic experience for traders who want to manage positions on the go.
Where Trading 212 stands out is in charting and app syncing. Its mobile app includes 104 technical studies and syncs watchlists with the client’s online account, making it easier to keep track of changes across devices. HFM, by comparison, offers only 5 technical studies and does not sync watchlists between mobile and web. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps ranking, Trading 212 places #17 out of 36 brokers, while HFM ranks #35, giving Trading 212 the edge overall for mobile trading.
| 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 market research features, HFM has a slight edge over Trading 212. Both brokers provide forex news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, along with a sentiment tool and an economic calendar that helps traders track key global events. Trading 212 also offers these basics, but it does not include daily market commentary, while HFM does. HFM further stands out with access to Autochartist and Acuity Trading tools, which can help traders spot possible setups and ideas more easily.
In third-party reviews, HFM is rated higher for research, with 4 out of 5 stars and a ForexBrokers.com rank of #18 out of 36 brokers. Trading 212 is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #31 out of 36. For traders who want more built-in market insight and research tools, HFM is the stronger choice, while Trading 212 still covers the core research 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.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning tools, both Trading 212 and HFM offer a solid range of videos for new and more experienced traders. Trading 212 provides at least 10 beginner trading videos and 10 advanced videos, and it also offers forex or CFDs education with at least 10 related learning pieces. HFM matches those basics as well, giving beginners access to at least 10 beginner videos, 10 advanced videos, and forex or CFDs education that meets the same minimum level.
The main difference is in live learning and overall education scores. HFM offers online educational webinars at least once a month, while Trading 212 does not. HFM also holds a higher Education rating at 4 stars, compared with Trading 212’s 3.5 stars. That said, Trading 212 ranks better in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category, coming in at #23 out of 36 brokers, while HFM is ranked #31. For beginners who value live webinars, HFM has the edge; for those who want a stronger category ranking, Trading 212 comes out ahead.
| 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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| Trading Fees |
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| Research |
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| Mobile Trading |
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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.
When comparing Trading 212 vs HFM for funding options, both brokers support bank wire transfers and neither offers PayPal, while HFM supports Skrill and does not offer ACH or SEPA transfers, making Trading 212 the more limited choice for deposit and withdrawal methods based on the available information.
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) - Spread-only account | 2.7 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 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 (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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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