DEGIRO and HFM square off on price, access, and platform capabilities. The matchup pits low-cost stock trading against CFD-based equity exposure and copy trading options.
DEGIRO wins on the editorial score (4.3 vs 3.8), thanks to stronger Trust & Regulation and Fees & Spreads than HFM.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose DEGIRO if…
Choose DEGIRO if you want broad exchange access and low-cost stock trading.
Choose HFM if…
Choose DEGIRO if you prefer a transparent flat-fee structure with no minimum deposit. Choose HFM for MT4/MT5 trading with HFcopy and 500+ share CFDs. Choose HFM if you value multilingual 24/5 support and CySEC/DFSA regulation.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
DEGIRO is favored for safety and regulation due to BaFin and AFM oversight.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | No minimum |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
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 |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| 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 rates 4.3/5 versus 3.8/5 for HFM. DEGIRO edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
HFM starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for DEGIRO. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
HFM requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for DEGIRO.
Both DEGIRO 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, HFM provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
DEGIRO lists maximum leverage of 1:1, 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 DEGIRO 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.
DEGIRO supports DEGIRO Platform, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. DEGIRO has exclusive access to DEGIRO Platform. HFM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
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 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.
DEGIRO wins for long-term investing with dividend reinvestment options.
DEGIRO provides 50+ exchanges for broader global market access.
DEGIRO wins for low-cost stock trading with flat-fee pricing and 50+ exchanges.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| 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 | BaFin AFM | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | DEGIRO Platform | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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