A head-to-head comparison of FXOpen and HFM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Triple-regulated ECN specialist (FCA, CySEC, ASIC) and early cTrader adopter with one of the lowest commission structures in retail ECN - $1.5 per side per lot - making it highly cost-effective for active traders.
FXOpen edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs HFM's 4.1/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
FXOpen edges out HFM with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2003 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $3/lot | $6/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 2000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC | FCA FSCA CySEC DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FXOpen | Visit HFM |
Pros
FCA, CySEC, and ASIC triple regulation
$3 round-turn ECN commission - one of the lowest in retail forex
Early cTrader adopter with mature integration
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
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
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
$100 minimum deposit on ECN accounts
Less brand recognition than larger competitors
Customer support coverage narrower than global tier-1 brokers
No proprietary platform
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXOpen | 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 | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, FXOpen ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5 for HFM. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FXOpen and HFM may each suit different trader profiles.
Both FXOpen 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 FXOpen requires at least $100. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXOpen and HFM hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
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.
FXOpen offers maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
FXOpen charges $3 per lot, lower than HFM's $6 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
FXOpen supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and HFM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; FXOpen exclusively offers cTrader.
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