DEGIRO vs HFM Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of DEGIRO and HFM across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
DEGIRO offers some of Europe's lowest stock commissions with access to 50+ exchanges. It lacks an ISA or SIPP wrapper, making it less suitable for UK tax-efficient investing, but excellent for low-cost international exposure.
DEGIRO edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 vs HFM's 3.8/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
HFM has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
DEGIRO is better suited for long-term investing: dividend reinvestment.
HFM has the edge for active traders: more platform options, advanced charting.
DEGIRO edges out HFM with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 3.8/5), 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.
DEGIRO vs HFM: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | No minimum |
| Commission-free | No | No |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
| Extended hours | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | AFM BaFin | FCA FSCA CySEC DFSA |
| Platforms | DEGIRO Platform | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
| Visit broker | Visit DEGIRO | Visit HFM |
DEGIRO vs HFM Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- Among Europe's lowest stock commissions
- Access to 50+ exchanges worldwide
- Transparent, flat-fee pricing structure
- Regulated by BaFin, AFM, and under MiFID II
- No minimum deposit requirement
- No Stocks & Shares ISA or SIPP available
- No fractional shares
- Limited customer support options
- Platform and app less polished than newer competitors
- 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
DEGIRO vs HFM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | DEGIRO | 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) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
DEGIRO vs HFM: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, DEGIRO ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 3.8/5 for HFM. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Neither DEGIRO 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 our regulatory safety criteria, with top-tier regulatory oversight, segregated client funds, compensation scheme coverage. For stock investors, regulatory safety is critical — always confirm a broker's specific licences and investor protections before depositing funds.
HFM requires a minimum deposit of no minimum. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for the other broker.
DEGIRO supports DEGIRO Platform 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 offers negative balance protection; DEGIRO 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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