HFM and Windsor Brokers face off in a comparison that weighs regulation, pricing, and platforms. Both aim to serve active traders, but their strengths pull in different directions.
HFM and Windsor Brokers remain closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is instrument variety, with HFM offering 1000 instruments versus Windsor's 200.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want no minimum deposit and HFcopy copy trading.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you prefer CySEC regulation, segregated funds, and a narrower instrument range.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | HFM | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: HFM rates 4.1/5 and Windsor Brokers rates 4/5. HFM 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.
Both HFM and Windsor Brokers start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
HFM has no minimum deposit, while Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
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.
HFM lists maximum leverage of 2000:1, while Windsor Brokers lists up to 500:1. 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, lower than Windsor Brokers's $8 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
HFM wins safety & regulation due to FCA and DFSA oversight, plus segregated client funds.
HFM wins for active traders with advanced charting and higher instrument variety.
HFM offers more instruments, giving broader trading opportunities.
HFM wins platform choice due to advanced charting and strong MT4/MT5 support.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2010 | 1988 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Nicosia, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $8/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
| Max Leverage | 2,000:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
35+ years of continuous operation, one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
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
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5, no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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