Deriv vs HFM Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Deriv and HFM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
VS
Our Verdict
Too close to call
Deriv and HFM are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.1/5 and 4.1/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
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 pips vs 0.5 pips for Deriv, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
HFM has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
HFM has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Both brokers share the same editorial score of 4.1/5, but HFM requires a lower minimum deposit ($0 vs $5 for Deriv), making it more accessible for new traders.
Deriv vs HFM: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Birkirkara, Malta | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $5 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 2000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSC BVI VFSC LFSA MFSA | FCA FSCA CySEC DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Deriv | Visit HFM |
Deriv vs HFM Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7 - unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
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
Deriv vs HFM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Deriv
criteria win
5
HFM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Deriv | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Deriv vs HFM: Frequently Asked Questions
Deriv and HFM share the same editorial score of 4.1/5. The right choice depends on your priorities: trading costs, platform preference, or regulatory coverage.
HFM offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Deriv's spreads from 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
HFM has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Deriv requires at least $5. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: HFM has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Deriv offers maximum leverage of 1000:1, while HFM offers up to 2000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
HFM charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade and HFM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 5; Deriv exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; HFM exclusively offers MetaTrader 4.
Ready to get started?
Open an account directly with the broker that suits you best.
Score 4.1 / 5
More Broker Comparisons
More Deriv comparisons
More HFM comparisons
Personalised recommendation
Not sure which broker is right for you?
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker