Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Vantage 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.
When comparing online brokers Vantage and HFM, both share several similarities. Established in 2009 and 2010 respectively, neither Vantage nor HFM is publicly traded or operates as a bank. In terms of regulatory standing, both brokers hold two Tier-1 licenses, meaning they are highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com's standards. Vantage and HFM are therefore well-regulated, providing users with a secure trading environment.
However, there are some differences in their licensing and trust ratings. Vantage holds one Tier-2 license, while HFM holds three, which signifies a broader regulatory compliance for HFM across different regions. Despite this, Vantage scores slightly higher with a Trust Score of 90 out of 99, categorizing it as highly trusted. In comparison, HFM has a score of 86, which still indicates it is a trusted broker but slightly below Vantage's rating. Overall, both brokers are reliable choices, though Vantage edges out with a slightly higher trust rating.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Vantage and HFM, Vantage offers a range of account options that affect trading costs. Vantage provides three account types: the Standard STP account with a spread-only fee structure, and the RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts that include commissions. The Standard account typically features spreads of 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD, while the RAW account offers significantly lower average spreads of 0.15 pips, plus a $3 commission per side. The PRO account stands out with competitive $2 per-side commissions, though it comes with specific requirements based on the entity holding your account. On the other hand, HFM's standard accounts have spreads starting at 1.2 pips, although exact averages aren't specified. The Zero account offers a more competitive rate with an effective spread of 0.7 pips with commission.
For more active traders, Vantage has a rebate program on its Standard account that ranges from $2 to $8 per standard lot. This, however, requires certain account balances and monthly volumes, starting from $10,000 in equity, which can offset the higher spreads of the Standard account. In contrast, HFM does not disclose specific rebate options linked to their fees, which could be a consideration for high-volume traders looking to minimize costs.
When reviewing overall competitiveness, Vantage holds a 4.5-star rating and ranks 19th out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com. HFM, with a 4-star rating, holds the 31st position. While both brokers provide valuable services, Vantage tends to offer slightly more attractive pricing structures for those who qualify for its PRO account or participate in its active trader program.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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.
When comparing Vantage and HFM, both online brokers support forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. Vantage offers a larger overall selection with 1,000 tradeable symbols, whereas HFM provides access to 500 symbols. However, when it comes to forex pairs specifically, HFM offers a greater variety, with 102 pairs compared to Vantage's 61. Neither broker provides exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning clients cannot directly purchase stocks like Apple or Vodafone. Both Vantage and HFM do offer copy trading services, allowing users to mimic the trades of experienced investors.
Regarding cryptocurrency, both Vantage and HFM enable trading through derivatives but not the actual cryptocurrencies themselves. In terms of investment range, HFM holds a slight edge with a 4-star rating, ranking 36th out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. Vantage lags behind with a 3.5-star rating, ranking 50th out of the same 63 brokers. This distinction could be an influential factor for traders prioritizing a broader investment selection. However, for those focused on forex pairs, HFM's extensive range might make it the preferable choice.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Vantage and HFM offer a comprehensive range of features designed to enhance the trading experience for their users. Both brokers provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing new traders to practice without financial risk. Each broker has developed its own proprietary platform and supports popular options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of trading strategies. In addition, traders can access platforms via Windows-based desktop downloads or web-based interfaces, offering flexibility regardless of preferred device. For those interested in mimicking successful trades, both Vantage and HFM offer copy trading opportunities. However, while Vantage includes DupliTrade as an option, HFM does not; neither broker supports ZuluTrade.
On the charting front, both brokers allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, with Vantage offering 15 drawing tools compared to HFM's 30. When managing market watch lists, both brokers provide seven columns for custom organization. While Vantage and HFM share a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, there is a notable difference in their industry rankings: Vantage comes in at #21 while HFM is ranked #42 according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that while both brokers supply a solid array of trading tools, Vantage might offer a slightly higher overall satisfaction in this category.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | Yes | 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 it comes to mobile trading apps, both Vantage and HFM offer easy access for iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders can stay connected on the go. Each app provides price alerts for stocks and forex, enhancing the ability to keep tabs on market movements. However, neither platform currently supports watchlist symbol syncing. When it comes to charting, both mobile apps feature 30 technical studies and allow users to view different time frames and draw trendlines. Importantly, these drawings are automatically saved, adding to the user-friendly experience.
In terms of real-time updates, both Vantage and HFM support creating watchlists with live quotes, which facilitates more informed trading decisions. They both enjoy a four-star rating for their mobile trading functionalities. However, Vantage holds a slightly higher position, ranking 28th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to HFM, which is ranked 39th. This differentiator may suggest a slight edge for Vantage among user preferences, although both are solid choices for those who prioritize mobile trading features.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 comparing the market research offerings of online brokers Vantage and HFM, both platforms provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with high-quality insights. They also incorporate popular analytical tools like Autochartist to aid in technical and fundamental analysis, but only Vantage extends its offerings with Trading Central tools. Both brokers offer a sentiment-based trading tool, helping traders gauge market mood by showing the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Additionally, each provides an economic calendar that outlines significant global events, but neither features services from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
While both Vantage and HFM earn a commendable four-star rating for research, slight differences in their tool availability can be noted. HFM is ranked one spot higher at #20 compared to Vantage's #21 in ForexBrokers.com's research category, reflecting their close competition. Traders choosing between these brokers will find each has unique strengths, but both uphold a standard of market insights that supports informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners from online brokers Vantage and HFM, both offer a substantial selection of learning materials. Vantage stands out by securing a higher ranking in the education category, positioned at number 24 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas HFM is ranked at number 37. Both brokers provide a wide range of educational content, including various articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex or CFDs trading. Additionally, each platform offers monthly online educational webinars, making it easy for beginners to expand their trading knowledge.
Beyond general educational materials, both Vantage and HFM cater to different levels of traders. For novice traders, each platform presents at least 10 educational videos covering fundamental trading topics. More experienced traders are not left out, with both brokers providing over 10 advanced educational videos to help hone their skills. Furthermore, each broker includes an investor dictionary with over 50 defined investing terms. With both Vantage and HFM receiving a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for education, beginners can rest assured that they will have access to a wide array of learning resources, regardless of their choice between these two brokers.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 Vantage is better than HFM. Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
Vantage rounds out its MetaTrader platform suite offering with support for multiple social trading platforms, content powered by Trading Central and a proprietary mobile app. However, Vantage trails industry leaders in key areas such as research and education.
| Feature |
Vantage
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HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 86 |
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Both Vantage and HFM do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Vantage and HFM, it's notable that Vantage offers PayPal for depositing or withdrawing funds, whereas HFM does not; however, both brokers support Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, while neither provides ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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 | Vantage | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review | HFM Review |
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| Regulation | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 90 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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 | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $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 | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Vantage | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review | HFM Review |
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