Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB and HFM are well-known online brokers with different profiles. XTB, founded in 2002, is publicly traded and not a bank. HFM, founded in 2010, is not publicly traded and is also not a bank. Both companies operate under multiple regulatory licenses.
According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB holds 2 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses and earns a 96/99 Trust Score, which falls into the “highly trusted” range (90–99). HFM holds 2 Tier-1 and 3 Tier-2 licenses and scores 85/99, placing it in the “trusted” range (80–89). These ratings help show each broker’s regulatory strength and oversight for prospective clients comparing XTB vs HFM.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
XTB comes out ahead of HFM on commissions and fees, with a 4.5-star rating and a ranking of #13 out of 36 brokers for this category. XTB’s pricing is generally close to the industry average, but it still does not match the very lowest-cost brokers. It offers a spread-only Standard account and, in some regions, a commission-based Professional account for eligible clients. Using Q4 2023 data, XTB’s average EUR/USD spread was 1 pip, and its active trader program, called the Lower Spread Group, can rebate 5% to 30% of the spread at higher trading volumes.
HFM is slightly more expensive overall, with a 4-star rating and a ranking of #30 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees. HFM says its standard account typically has a 1.2-pip spread, while the Zero account shows an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission. However, that figure is not presented as an average, so it may not reflect typical trading costs across the board. In simple terms, HFM’s pricing is decent, but it is usually not as competitive as XTB’s.
For most retail traders looking at everyday trading costs, XTB is the better-value choice between the two. Its Standard account is usually the better fit for smaller trades, while active traders may benefit from lower spreads through its volume-based discount program. HFM still offers workable pricing, but XTB has the clearer edge on both ratings and ranking.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 1.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | N/A | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB 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. XTB provides access to 10,521 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, compared with HFM’s 344 symbols and 38 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading and cryptocurrency CFDs, but XTB goes further by also letting clients buy actual cryptocurrency, not just derivatives.
When it comes to shares, XTB stands out again because it offers exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as Apple and Vodafone. HFM does not offer these types of share purchases. HFM does have copy trading, which XTB does not, but for overall range of investments XTB is rated 5 stars and ranked #15 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked #30.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 344 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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.
XTB and HFM both give traders a free demo account, a web-based platform, and their own in-house trading platform, so either choice can work well for getting started online. Both also let you place trades directly from a chart, which is helpful if you like to act quickly while watching price moves. In Trading Platforms and Tools, XTB holds a 4.5-star rating and is ranked #9 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked #36.
The biggest differences are that HFM offers more platform choices, including a Windows desktop app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and copy trading, while XTB does not offer those options. That makes HFM a better fit for traders who want MetaTrader support or desktop software, while XTB may appeal more to users who prefer a simpler platform setup with strong web trading. Overall, XTB has the edge for platform and tool quality, but HFM offers more built-in extras.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | 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) | 92 | 38 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and HFM both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each app includes price alerts, trendline drawing, and automatic saving for chart drawings. That means either broker gives you the basics you’d expect for trading on the go. XTB, however, has a clear edge in app design and charting tools, especially for traders who want more ways to study price action and manage their markets from a phone.
The biggest difference is that XTB supports watchlist syncing between its mobile app and online account, while HFM does not. XTB also offers 104 technical studies in its mobile charts, compared with just 5 at HFM. That stronger feature set helps explain why XTB is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps and ranks #8 out of 36 brokers, while HFM is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #35.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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.
XTB and HFM both give traders daily market commentary, a sentiment tool for spotting long and short positioning, and an economic calendar for tracking key global events. That said, HFM has the edge for market news and outside research sources, since it offers forex news from top-tier providers like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, plus tools from Autochartist and Acuity Trading. XTB does not offer those extras, and it also lacks Trading Central research, which HFM also does not provide.
Overall, XTB comes out ahead on research quality, earning 5 stars and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with HFM’s 4 stars and #18 ranking. In simple terms, both brokers cover the basics well, but HFM gives traders more third-party research support, while XTB scores higher overall for market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | 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, XTB has the edge over HFM. Both brokers offer forex and CFD education, regular online educational webinars, and at least 10 beginner and 10 advanced trading videos, so each gives new traders a solid place to start and room to keep learning. But XTB stands out with a 5-star Education rating and a stronger ForexBrokers.com ranking at #11 out of 36 brokers, compared with HFM’s 4-star rating and #31 ranking.
In simple terms, both brokers provide a good mix of lessons, videos, and live webinars for traders who want to build their skills. Still, XTB appears to offer a more polished learning experience overall, especially for beginners who want clear, accessible education and a wider sense of confidence as they move from basic concepts to more advanced topics.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | 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 XTB is better than HFM. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #27.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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HFM
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 85 |
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XTB lets traders buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency CFDs, while HFM only offers cryptocurrency CFDs and does not provide direct ownership of crypto assets.
In the XTB vs HFM comparison for deposits and withdrawals: neither broker supports ACH or SEPA; XTB supports PayPal while HFM does not; both support Skrill and bank wire transfers; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | XTB | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | HFM | |
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| Regulation | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | 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) | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 344 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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 | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 1.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | 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 | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 92 | 38 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | 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 | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XTB Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | XTB | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | HFM Review |
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