This matchup pits two long-standing brokers on regulation, costs, and platform access. The tension lies in how protection and pricing align with trader needs.
Alpari International and HFM are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is regulatory protection, with HFM supported by FCA, CySEC, FSCA and an investor compensation scheme, while Alpari relies on an FSC Mauritius licence.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a low $5 minimum deposit and ECN accounts with a $6/lot commission.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want no minimum deposit and FCA/CySEC/FSCA regulation with investor compensation.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
Pros
26-year brand history in retail forex
Mature PAMM investor platform, one of the originals
ECN accounts with $6 per-lot commission competitive with top ECN desks
Wide geographic reach across CIS, MENA, and Africa
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.9/5 and HFM rates 4.1/5. HFM has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both Alpari International and HFM start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
HFM has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Alpari International may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
HFM stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Alpari International lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, while HFM lists up to 2000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Both Alpari International and HFM charge the same commission of $6 per lot on applicable accounts.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
HFM wins for safety and regulation with FCA/CySEC/FSCA oversight.
Both brokers offer equivalent ECN conditions including raw spread accounts, commissions, and spread levels.
HFM wins for active traders due to high leverage and copy trading.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Port Louis, Mauritius | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $6/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 2,000:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
No minimum deposit required to open an account
Copy trading via HFcopy platform
FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulation
High leverage up to 2000:1 on offshore entity
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
FSC Mauritius licence, lower investor protection than FCA/ASIC/CySEC
Legacy of UK entity collapse in 2015 is a cautionary reference point
No top-tier regulatory licence for its core international client base
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
2000:1 leverage is extremely risky for inexperienced traders
No cTrader support
Zero account commission of $6/lot is above some ECN peers
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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