A head-to-head comparison of HFM and Tickmill across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
No minimum deposit required, high leverage on offshore entity, and copy trading via HFcopy - with FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulation.
Among the lowest commissions available at $6 round-turn on Pro accounts, with strong FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulation and transparent execution.
Tickmill edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 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.
Tickmill edges out HFM with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2010 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $6/lot |
| Max leverage | 2000:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC DFSA | FCA FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit HFM | Visit Tickmill |
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
Pros
Industry-low commission of $6 round-turn on Pro account
Strong FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulatory coverage
No dealing desk on Pro and Raw accounts
Negative balance protection for retail clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
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
Cons
No cTrader support
Limited asset classes compared to multi-asset peers
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | HFM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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, Tickmill ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.1/5 for HFM. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; HFM and Tickmill may each suit different trader profiles.
Both HFM and Tickmill 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 Tickmill requires at least $100. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both HFM and Tickmill 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.
HFM offers maximum leverage of 2000:1, while Tickmill offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Both HFM and Tickmill charge the same commission of $6 per lot on applicable accounts.
HFM supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and Tickmill offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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