A head-to-head comparison of GO Markets and HFM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
True ECN pricing, three platform options, and ASIC regulation - a solid choice for Australian traders though with a higher minimum deposit than peers.
GO Markets and HFM are extremely closely matched with scores of 4/5 and 4.1/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
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.
GO Markets offers more exclusive platform options: cTrader.
HFM edges out GO Markets with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 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 | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $200 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | $6/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 2000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FSC | FCA FSCA CySEC DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit GO Markets | Visit HFM |
Pros
True ECN execution with three platform options
ASIC-regulated with a clean Australian track record since 2006
Competitive $5 round-turn ECN commission
Good for Australia and Asia-Pacific timezone traders
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
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
$200 minimum deposit is higher than many ECN peers
Less brand recognition outside Australia and Asia-Pacific
CySEC entity is offshore for non-AU clients
No proprietary platform
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 | GO Markets | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, HFM ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 4/5 for GO Markets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; GO Markets and HFM may each suit different trader profiles.
Both GO Markets 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 GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO Markets 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.
GO Markets 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.
GO Markets charges $5 per lot, lower than HFM's $6 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
GO Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and HFM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; GO Markets exclusively offers cTrader.
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