AMarkets and HFM compete on regulation, pricing, and platform breadth. The axis of tension is safety versus flexibility, driving which setup may suit different traders.
HFM scores higher overall due to top-tier regulation, investor compensation, and negative balance protection. AMarkets remains competitive with platform breadth and high leverage.
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 | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.4 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
Pros
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Competitive $6 round-turn ECN commission
Mature PAMM platform with full performance transparency
No inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | 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: AMarkets rates 3.8/5 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 AMarkets 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 AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. AMarkets 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.
AMarkets lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, 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 AMarkets and HFM charge the same commission of $6 per lot on applicable accounts.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader.
HFM wins for safety due to FCA/CySEC/FSCA/DFSA oversight and compensation schemes.
HFM wins with HFcopy and advanced charting for active traders.
Both brokers offer equivalent ECN conditions including raw spread accounts, commissions, and spread levels.
AMarkets wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $6/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 3,000:1▲ higher | 2,000:1 |
|---|
| 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 | SVGFSA | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
No deposit fees
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
SVG FSA registration only, no meaningful retail investor protection
No EU or Tier 1 licensed entity
Very high leverage (3000:1) is a risk amplifier
No top-tier regulatory licence
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 3.8 / 5
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