FBS vs HFM Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of FBS and HFM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Offshore broker with CySEC and IFSC licensing, dominant in Southeast Asia and MENA through heavy localised marketing and generous bonuses - best evaluated on regulatory strength rather than promotion value.
VS
Our Verdict
HFM winsby 0.2 pts
HFM edges ahead with a score of 4.1/5 vs FBS's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
HFM has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for beginners
Recommended
HFM edges out FBS with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
FBS vs HFM: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.5 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Belize City, Belize | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $20/lot | $6/lot |
| Max leverage | 3000:1 | 2000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA FSCA CySEC DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FBS | Visit HFM |
FBS vs HFM Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Very low $1 minimum deposit on Cent accounts
MT4 and MT5 on all account types
Multiple account types including Cent, Zero Spread, and ECN
Widely available across Southeast Asia, MENA, and Africa
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
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
Primary entity uses IFSC Belize - offshore, limited investor protection
Bonus turnover requirements are onerous
Very high leverage (3000:1) is a significant risk factor for retail clients
No top-tier regulatory licence
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
FBS vs HFM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
FBS
criteria wins
3
HFM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | FBS | 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 | 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 |
FBS vs HFM: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, HFM ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5 for FBS. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FBS and HFM may each suit different trader profiles.
Both FBS and HFM offer spreads starting from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
HFM has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. FBS 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.
FBS offers maximum leverage of 3000:1, 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, lower than FBS's $20 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
FBS supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and HFM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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