ACY Securities and HFM face off over global stock CFDs, testing regulation, platform depth, and access to international exchanges. The axis of tension centers on regulation strength and exchange reach.
ACY Securities and HFM are closely matched, with the clearest differentiator being HFM's compensation scheme that ACY lacks.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want ECN execution on share CFDs and a low $50 minimum deposit.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want HFcopy automatic copying of equity strategies, access to 500+ share CFDs, and a zero minimum deposit.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
HFM is best for safety & regulation, with FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and DFSA oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $6/lot▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | 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) | Fail | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and HFM rates 3.8/5. 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 ACY Securities and HFM start from the same spread of 0. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
HFM has no minimum deposit, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities and HFM hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
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.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while HFM lists up to 20:1. 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 trade, lower than ACY Securities's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ACY Securities has exclusive access to TradingView.
Neither ACY Securities 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.
HFM scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
ACY Securities is best for active traders, offering ECN execution on share CFDs.
HFM suits beginners with a zero minimum deposit and broad share CFD access.
HFM offers broader global access with 8 exchanges versus ACY's 5.
HFM offers no minimum deposit, reducing upfront trading costs.
Equally matched for long-term investing; neither offers fractional shares or DRIP.
| 0.7 pips |
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| 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 | ASIC FSA Seychelles | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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