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.
XM Group, founded in 2009, and HFM, established in 2010, are two notable online brokers that are not publicly traded or affiliated with any bank, focusing instead on offering specialized trading services. When it comes to regulatory standing, XM Group is recognized for holding four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, reflecting a strong compliance record. HFM, on the other hand, possesses two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, indicating a solid regulatory framework but slightly less in Tier-1 presence compared to XM Group.
In terms of trustworthiness, ForexBrokers.com assigns XM Group a Trust Score of 93 out of 99, placing it in the highly trusted category. HFM earns a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, which categorizes it as trusted. These scores suggest that XM Group may provide a higher level of confidence for clients seeking a secure trading environment, whereas HFM also maintains a strong but slightly lower trust rating.
| 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 |
Comparing commissions and fees at XM Group vs HFM: both brokers land at 4 out of 5 stars for pricing. Based on available disclosures, HFM edges XM Group in the rankings, with HFM placed #32 out of 63 and XM Group at #34 out of 63 in ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category. That said, each broker’s published spread data has gaps that make true average costs hard to pin down.
XM Group: Standard account spreads are expensive, and the broker does not publish average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account—making it difficult to estimate typical all-in costs. Rating: 4/5 stars; Commissions and Fees ranking: #34 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
HFM: Overall trading costs are slightly above the industry average. The company lists a typical 1.2-pip spread for standard accounts, but no date range is provided, so the real average may be higher. The Zero account shows an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, but this figure is also not an average. Rating: 4/5 stars; Commissions and Fees ranking: #32 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
| 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.
XM Group vs HFM for range of investments: XM Group lists 1,394 tradeable instruments, while HFM offers 500. If you focus on forex, HFM has more currency pairs (102 vs 55 for XM), and both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. For crypto, neither broker lets you buy actual coins, but both provide cryptocurrency derivatives. Copy trading is available at both.
Stock investing is a key difference. XM Group lets clients buy exchange‑traded securities on U.S. and international markets (for example, Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone in London), whereas HFM does not offer real, exchange‑listed shares. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments ratings, XM Group scores 4.5/5 (ranked 25 of 63), edging HFM’s 4/5 (ranked 37 of 63).
| 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.
XM Group and HFM both check the essentials for trading platforms and tools. Each broker offers a free demo account, copy trading, trading directly from charts, and access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. You can trade on the web or via a Windows desktop platform with either broker. A key difference: HFM provides its own in-house platform, while XM Group sticks to third-party options. For watchlists, both offer 7 fields.
For charting, both brokers include technical indicators, but HFM stands out with 30 drawing tools compared with XM Group’s 15. Independent ratings are close—both earn 4 stars for platforms and tools—though XM Group ranks higher overall (#33 of 63) than HFM (#43 of 63). Neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Choose HFM if you want the added choice of a proprietary platform and more drawing tools; pick XM Group if you’re comfortable with MetaTrader and prefer a broker with a slightly stronger category ranking.
| 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.
Comparing XM Group vs HFM for mobile trading apps, both offer iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and solid charting that includes 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, and multiple time frames. Each earns a 4 out of 5 star rating for Mobile Trading Apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings out of 63 brokers, XM Group sits at #31 while HFM is #40.
The biggest differences come down to syncing and saving. XM Group syncs your watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, so any changes carry over automatically—HFM does not. However, HFM auto-saves your chart drawings, while XM Group does not. Choose XM Group if cross-device watchlist sync is important, or pick HFM if you want your chart annotations saved without extra steps.
| 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.
When comparing XM Group and HFM for their market research services, both brokers deliver daily market commentary and provide forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, keeping traders well-informed. However, XM Group offers an edge with its tools from Trading Central, making it a good choice for traders who value technical analysis. On the other hand, HFM distinguishes itself by offering resources from Autochartist, which can be appealing for traders looking for specific technical or fundamental analysis tools. Both brokers present sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars, aiding traders in making more informed decisions.
In terms of overall research quality and recognition, XM Group holds a higher research rating of 5 stars compared to HFM's 4 stars. This rating reflects XM Group's superior capacity to deliver insightful and diverse market research options. Furthermore, XM Group ranks higher in the research category as per ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 8th out of 63 brokers, while HFM stands at 20th. This comparison underscores XM Group's stronger foothold in providing comprehensive research tools and insights, positioning it as a more prominent choice for traders who prioritize research capabilities.
| 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 comparing the educational resources for beginners between XM Group and HFM, both brokers demonstrate a commitment to providing essential learning tools for new traders in the forex and CFDs arena. They each offer a collection of over 10 educational materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. Furthermore, both platforms are committed to engaging their clients by offering at least one online educational webinar every month. Whether you're looking to review past sessions, XM Group and HFM both offer searchable archives of their recorded webinars, enhancing the ability for beginners to learn at their own pace. Additionally, each broker provides more than 10 beginner-focused educational videos, ensuring comprehensive coverage of essential trading concepts.
However, a distinguishing feature is the availability of an investor dictionary from HFM, with definitions of over 50 investing terms, a resource not offered by XM Group. Despite this difference, XM Group shines with a 5-star education rating and ranks 7th among 63 brokers, whereas HFM holds a 4-star rating and ranks 37th in the same category according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that XM Group may offer a slightly more enriching educational experience, making it a potentially stronger choice for those prioritizing high-quality educational support as they start their trading journey.
| 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 63 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
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 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 | 93 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | HFM Review |
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| Regulation | XM Group | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 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) | |||
| 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) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| 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 | 93 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | HFM Review |
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