ActivTrades vs HFM Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ActivTrades and HFM across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades offers share CFDs on 600+ global stocks via ActivTrader and MT4 under FCA regulation with supplemental client fund insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 - a regulated European broker with above-standard fund protection for equity CFD traders.
ActivTrades and HFM are extremely closely matched with scores of 3.7/5 and 3.8/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Both brokers offer equivalent conditions for active trading across commissions, platforms, and charting tools.
HFM edges out ActivTrades with a higher editorial score (3.8/5 vs 3.7/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
Commission data is not yet available for this pair. Check each broker's pricing page to compare trading costs directly.
Long-term investing feature data (fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access) is not yet available for this pair.
ActivTrades vs HFM: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Commission-free | No | No |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
| Extended hours | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA FSCA CySEC DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Visit broker | Visit ActivTrades | Visit HFM |
ActivTrades vs HFM Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- Supplemental private insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client - above FSCS standard limit
- FCA regulated with ActivTrader volatility protection for equity CFD risk management
- 600+ share CFDs across ActivTrader and MT4 with no minimum deposit
- No commission on standard accounts; no inactivity fee
- Stock range (600+) narrower than CMC, IG, or Saxo
- Share CFDs only - no real ownership, ISA, SIPP, or dividend entitlement
- Platform analytics below CMC Next Generation or xStation 5 for equity research
- Less well-known outside Europe - limited Asian and US market coverage
- HFcopy enables automatic copying of equity-focused strategies within the same account
- CySEC and DFSA regulated - strong dual-jurisdiction for EU and UAE clients
- 500+ share CFDs across MT4 and MT5 with no minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee; multilingual 24/5 customer support
- Stock range (500+) significantly narrower than CMC, IG, or Saxo
- Share CFDs only - no real ownership, ISA, or dividend entitlement
- International FSA Seychelles entity provides substantially lighter regulatory protection
- HFcopy signal provider quality for equity strategies is variable
ActivTrades vs HFM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs HFM: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, HFM ranks higher with a score of 3.8/5 vs 3.7/5 for ActivTrades. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Neither ActivTrades nor HFM is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both ActivTrades and HFM hold top-tier regulatory licences, indicating a high standard of investor protection. Confirm each broker's specific regulatory bodies and compensation scheme coverage to ensure they apply in your jurisdiction.
Both ActivTrades and HFM require a minimum deposit of no minimum to open a live trading account.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader and HFM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Platform availability affects the tools, charting, and order types available to you. If you rely on a specific platform like MetaTrader or a proprietary web app, confirm compatibility before opening an account.
For beginners: HFM has a higher overall editorial score. Also compare educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of each broker's platform before deciding.
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