Two brokers face off on regulation, costs, and platforms. The clash hinges on platform access and pricing transparency.
eToro and HFM are closely matched, but HFM gains a platform edge with MT4/MT5 access.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
HFM offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 1.00 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Pros
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | 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 |
The scores are close: eToro rates 4.2/5 and HFM rates 4.1/5. eToro 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 eToro's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
HFM has no minimum deposit, while eToro requires at least $50. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both eToro 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, two factors stand out: HFM has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
eToro 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 eToro are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. eToro has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. HFM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Equally matched; both show strong regulation and segregated funds.
HFM wins for active traders due to MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting.
HFM is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
eToro wins for beginners thanks to social trading and low min deposit.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2010 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Israel | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1▲ higher | 2,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CNB CMVM AMF FSRA FSA Seychelles Finanstilsynet HCMC CySEC Finanstilsynet ASF MFSA Finansinspektionen FSC MNB KNF CMA | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
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
Wider FX spreads
Withdrawal fee
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
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
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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