Exness and HFM face off on equity access, platform options, and regulation. The tension centers on how exchange coverage and support features translate into real-world trading experience.
Exness and HFM are closely matched overall, but Exness offers 24/5 live chat support while HFM does not, shaping trader assistance differently.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
HFM benefits from DFSA backing alongside CySEC oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.3 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | $3.5/lot▼ lower | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | 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 |
The scores are close: Exness 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.
HFM lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Exness's 0.3. 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 Exness requires at least $1. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Exness 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.
Exness lists maximum leverage of 20:1, 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.
Exness charges $3.5 per trade, lower than HFM's $6 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.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Exness 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 Exness and HFM are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
HFM wins for active traders thanks to HFcopy and 500+ share CFDs.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.65 pips |
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | 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 | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker