Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group 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 XM Group and HFM, both firms are not publicly traded nor are they banks, offering online trading services since 2009 and 2010, respectively. XM Group holds a stronger regulatory standing with four Tier-1 licenses compared to HFM's two, which ForexBrokers.com deems as highly trusted. In addition, XM Group holds one Tier-2 license, whereas HFM holds three, which are considered trusted.
The Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com rates XM Group at 88 and HFM at 86, placing both in the trusted category, with XM Group edging slightly higher. These ratings highlight each broker's commitment to maintaining investor confidence through their compliance with regulatory standards. Whether you're a new trader or a seasoned investor, reviewing these trust metrics can provide some peace of mind when choosing a trading partner.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of XM Group and HFM, it is important to explore the details of their offerings. XM Group's standard account spreads are on the expensive side. Unfortunately, they do not publish the average spreads for their commission-based XM Zero account, leaving traders with limited transparency on potential costs. Despite these factors, XM Group receives a respectable four-star rating for commissions and fees, and ranks 33rd out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, HFM also presents trading costs that are slightly above the industry average. While their standard trading accounts offer a typical spread of 1.2 pips, there is no definitive date range provided, which could mean that actual spreads may vary. Their Zero account advertises an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, though it is not indicative of an average. Like XM Group, HFM secures a four-star rating in this category, but is ranked slightly higher, coming in at 31st place out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, both XM Group and HFM provide competitive rates for commissions and fees, earning identical star ratings. However, HFM edges ahead in rankings by a narrow margin. For traders comparing these two brokers, understanding these nuances and reviewing additional trading conditions may provide further clarity for making an informed decision.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 the range of investments between XM Group and HFM, several key distinctions emerge. XM Group offers forex trading both as CFDs and spot contracts, featuring a total of 1,394 tradeable symbols, including 55 forex pairs. This is complemented by their provision of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing investors to purchase stocks such as Apple or Vodafone directly. Additionally, XM Group supports copy trading and the ability to engage with cryptocurrency derivatives, further broadening its investment offerings.
HFM, on the other hand, also supports forex trading as CFDs and spot contracts but provides only 500 tradeable symbols, including a higher number of forex pairs at 102. Unlike XM Group, HFM does not offer direct access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges. However, it matches XM Group in offering copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite these offerings, in terms of range, XM Group is rated higher at 4.5 stars compared to HFM’s 4 stars, with ForexBrokers.com ranking them at #23 and #36 out of 62 brokers, respectively.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 XM Group and HFM for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer a commendable range of features. Both XM Group and HFM provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice risk-free. While XM Group relies on popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, HFM enhances its offerings by developing a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop download platforms and easy-to-use web-based platforms, catering to various trading preferences. They also support copy trading, which can be an excellent choice for those interested in mimicking experienced traders' strategies. Unfortunately, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. On the charting tool front, XM Group offers 15 drawing tools compared to HFM's 30, though both allow direct trading from stock charts.
In terms of watchlist customization, both brokers offer an equal number of seven columns to personalize your trading experience. Each earned a 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, indicating solid performance in this area. However, with ForexBrokers.com rankings, XM Group stands higher at 31st out of 62 brokers, while HFM is positioned at 42nd. This distinction may make XM Group more appealing to traders who prioritize platform ranking as a deciding factor, despite both brokers providing quality services and features.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No | 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.
Both XM Group and HFM offer convenient mobile trading experiences with apps available for iOS and Android devices, making them accessible for traders on the go. When it comes to the features each platform provides, both brokers include essential functions such as price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and access to different time frames on stock and forex charts. Interestingly, while both mobile apps offer 30 technical studies for charting, HFM stands out by automatically saving chart drawings, a feature XM Group lacks.
Another key difference lies in watchlist management; XM Group enables watchlist symbol syncing with a client’s online account, while HFM does not. Despite these differences, both apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. With both brokers earning a solid four-star rating for mobile trading, XM Group holds a slight advantage by ranking 29th out of 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category, compared to HFM's placement at 39th. This indicates XM Group may have a marginally preferred mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group and HFM are both notable online brokers that provide extensive market research resources to their clients. Both brokers offer daily market commentary and forex news sourced from top-tier providers such as Bloomberg and Reuters. However, they differ in the research tools they offer. XM Group provides access to technical analytics through Trading Central, whereas HFM equips traders with tools from Autochartist. Furthermore, both platforms offer a sentiment-based trading tool that displays a ratio of long and short positions across various instruments.
Looking at additional features, XM Group and HFM both provide an economic calendar that keeps traders informed about global news events. However, neither offers research tools from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading. In terms of research ranking, XM Group shines with a 5-star rating and is ranked 8th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. HFM, while also strong, holds 4 stars and is positioned 20th in the same category. These distinctions highlight XM Group's edge in delivering comprehensive market research tools and resources.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both XM Group and HFM offer a wealth of information that caters to new traders looking to learn about forex and CFDs. Both brokers provide a minimum of ten educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, making it easy for beginners to access valuable content at their own pace. Additionally, both XM Group and HFM host monthly educational webinars and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions, allowing clients to revisit and learn at their convenience.
XM Group distinguishes itself with a higher educational rating, earning a perfect five stars and ranking 7th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to HFM's four-star rating and 37th position. While both brokers offer more than ten beginner and advanced educational videos tailored to varying levels of experience, HFM provides an extra resource in the form of an investor dictionary, featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms, which XM Group does not. This difference may appeal to those specifically seeking comprehensive term explanations alongside practical trading education.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XM Group is better than HFM. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
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HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 86 |
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Both XM Group and HFM allow users to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither broker provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
Both XM Group and HFM do not offer ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, but they do provide options for Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | XM Group | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | HFM | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | 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) | No | 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) | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | 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 | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | 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 | XM Group Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | XM Group | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | HFM Review |
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