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 Vantage and HFM in terms of commissions and fees, Vantage offers several account options that cater to different trading styles. The Standard STP account from Vantage features typical spreads of 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD pair, while the Raw ECN account presents a compelling 0.15 pips spread with a $6 commission per round turn, leading to a total spread of 0.75 pips. Their PRO ECN account boasts the most competitive pricing, with a commission of just $4 per round turn, available to clients meeting specific requirements. Vantage also provides an active trader program with attractive rebates, but this benefit is exclusively available for the Standard account.
Conversely, HFM's trading costs are somewhat above the industry average, with standard account spreads typically at 1.2 pips. Their Zero account advertises an effective spread of 0.7 pips after adding commissions, though lacking precise average figures. The absence of a defined date range for these spreads makes it challenging to compare directly with Vantage's offerings.
In terms of rankings and ratings, Vantage secures a 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees and holds the 19th position out of 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's analysis. On the other hand, HFM receives a 4-star rating and is ranked 31st among the same group, making Vantage a slightly more favorable choice for traders focused on costs.
| 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 for their range of investment options, both brokers offer forex trading either through Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. Vantage provides its clients access to a broader array of tradeable symbols, with a total of 1,000 options, while HFM offers 500. However, when focusing on tradeable forex pairs, HFM outshines Vantage by offering 102 pairs compared to Vantage's 61. Both platforms lack the capability for users to purchase exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, as well as the ability to buy cryptocurrencies directly. However, they both provide avenues to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Additionally, both Vantage and HFM support copy trading services for those interested in mimicking successful traders. In terms of user ratings, HFM has a slight edge with a 4-star rating for its range of investments, compared to Vantage's 3.5 stars. This difference is also reflected in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where HFM holds the 36th position out of 62 brokers in the Range of Investments category, while Vantage sits at 50th. This shows a clear preference for HFM among users looking for diverse investment options, despite both lacking traditional stock and direct cryptocurrency investments.
| 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 comparing Vantage and HFM for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide traders with a comprehensive suite of options. Both offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice without financial risk. Each broker also provides a proprietary trading platform that they developed in-house, along with widely-used platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Their trading solutions are accessible via Windows-based desktop download and web platforms, ensuring versatility. For those interested in copy trading, both brokers provide this service, with Vantage extending its offerings by including DupliTrade, whereas HFM does not. Neither broker supports ZuluTrade.
When it comes to charting tools, Vantage provides 15 drawing tools, while HFM offers a more extensive selection with 30 options. Both platforms enable direct trading from stock charts, making it easier for traders to execute orders. In terms of market watchlists, both brokers offer seven columns for customization. However, when looking at rankings, Vantage is placed higher at #21 compared to HFM's #42 position according to ForexBrokers.com, reflecting a solid reputation in trading platforms and tools. Both brokers are rated four out of five stars, indicating a satisfying experience for the majority of their users.
| 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 for iPhone and Android, both Vantage and HFM offer appealing options. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, allowing traders to stay informed on market movements. Both apps feature 30 technical studies for chart analysis, support for trendline drawing, and the ability to view stocks or forex in multiple time frames, making technical analysis straightforward on the go. Furthermore, any chart drawings you make are automatically saved, so you won’t lose your analyses. For those who want to keep an eye on certain stocks, both apps allow creating watchlists with real-time quotes.
However, neither app offers watchlist symbol syncing, meaning changes made on mobile may not reflect on other devices. When it comes to overall user satisfaction, Vantage receives a solid 4 out of 5 stars, ranking 28th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. HFM shares the same star rating but is ranked 39th, suggesting some differences in user experience or additional features. Whether you choose Vantage or HFM for mobile trading, each app provides a rich suite of tools to support traders in managing their investments effectively.
| 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 it comes to market research offerings, both Vantage and HFM provide traders with valuable resources. Each platform features daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. For traders who utilize toolsets like Autochartist, both Vantage and HFM ensure these are available, making technical and fundamental analysis more accessible. While Vantage includes tools from Trading Central for additional technical analytics, HFM does not. However, both brokers offer a sentiment-based trading tool to help users track market mood across various instruments. Although neither broker collaborates with TipRanks or Acuity Trading for research tools, they both maintain up-to-date economic calendars to keep traders informed about global news events.
In terms of research quality, both brokers are rated four out of five stars, illustrating their commendable services in this area. Despite this, the slight difference in ranking by ForexBrokers.com, where HFM is placed 20th and Vantage 21st out of 62 brokers, indicates a marginal edge for HFM. Ultimately, both Vantage and HFM extend a comprehensive suite of research tools and resources, aiming to support traders' decision-making processes with insightful and timely information.
| 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 offered by the online brokers Vantage and HFM, both platforms deliver comprehensive tools for beginners. Each broker excels in providing extensive educational content, with a diverse range of articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. Furthermore, they both host regular online webinars that help new traders deepen their understanding of the market, and these sessions are recorded and easily accessible for future reference. There is no shortage of beginner-friendly videos, as each broker offers at least ten tutorials designed to refine the trading skills of those just starting out.
Beyond beginner content, Vantage and HFM both extend their offerings with advanced trading videos and investor dictionaries that detail key investing terms. Despite their similar educational features, they differ slightly in industry recognition. Vantage achieves a higher ranking in the educational category on ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #24 out of 62 brokers, while HFM follows at #37. Regardless of these differences, both brokers receive a solid four-star rating for education, ensuring that new traders have access to quality learning materials.
| 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 62 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
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|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Broker Screenshots | Vantage | HFM | |
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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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