Both ADS Securities and HFM compete for stock traders with distinct strengths in tools, platforms, and risk safeguards. This comparison teases apart what each broker prioritizes, without naming a winner.
ADS Securities and HFM are closely matched; ADS highlights research tools and a proprietary platform, while HFM emphasizes negative balance protection and its compensation scheme.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value a proprietary trading platform and research tools.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want negative balance protection and a compensation scheme.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
HFM wins safety & regulation with broader regulator coverage including CySEC, DFSA, and FCA.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $2,000 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 |
ADS Securities and HFM share the same editorial score of 3.8/5. One concrete differentiator: HFM requires a lower minimum deposit.
HFM lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with ADS Securities's 0.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
HFM has no minimum deposit, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS 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.
HFM stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ADS Securities lists maximum leverage of 200:1, 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ADS Securities are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ADS Securities has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ADS 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.
ADS Securities wins for active traders via direct market access to GCC equities and an institutional-grade platform.
Equally matched; both provide access to 8 exchanges and global stock CFDs.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | 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 | FSRA FCA | DFSA FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
Score 3.8 / 5
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