City Indexvs
HFMForex Broker Comparison
In this comparison City Index and HFM sit neck and neck on overall scores while differences in fee policy and platform options pull in opposite directions.
Our Verdict
City Index winsby 0.1 pts
City Index and HFM are closely matched, with the clearest differentiator that City Index has no inactivity fee while HFM has one.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1City Index has no inactivity fee; HFM has one.
- 2HFM offers multilingual support; City Index does not.
- 3City Index provides a proprietary platform; HFM does not.
Who should choose City Index vs HFM?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose City Index if…
Choose City Index if you value FCA regulation and no inactivity fee.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want multilingual support and HFcopy trading with leverage up to 2000:1.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
HFM offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for City Index, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
City Index vs HFM: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
City Index vs HFM Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FCA-regulated since 1983, backed by Nasdaq-listed StoneX Group
13,500+ markets including UK spread betting
TradingView integration for chart-based order execution
EUR/USD from 0.5 pips, competitive for a spread-only desk
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
City Index vs HFM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
City Index
criteria win
3
HFM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | City Index | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
City Index vs HFM: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: City Index rates 4.2/5 and HFM rates 4.1/5. City Index 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.
HFM starts from 0 pips, tighter than City Index's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither City Index nor HFM requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both City Index and HFM hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
City Index lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
HFM charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for City Index are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
City Index supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. City Index has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView. HFM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
