GO Markets and HFM square off on platform breadth, regulation, and cost to access global equities. The tension lies in minimum deposits and exchange coverage shaping suitability.
HFM is the overall winner on editorial score, while GO Markets trails in trust/regulation and platform tools.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you want MT4, MT5, or cTrader and can meet a $200 minimum deposit.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want MT4/MT5 plus HFcopy for equity copying and a $0 minimum deposit.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
HFM has broader regulation including FCA and DFSA alongside CySEC.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot▼ lower | $6/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO Markets | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: GO Markets rates 3.5/5 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 GO Markets 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 GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO Markets 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.
GO Markets 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.
GO Markets charges $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.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader.
Neither GO Markets 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 GO Markets 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.
GO Markets appeals to active traders with MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
HFM provides access to eight exchanges versus six for GO Markets.
Equally matched for long-term investing since neither offers fractional shares or DRIP.
| 0.5 pips▼ lower |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 CySEC FSC | FCA FSCA DFSA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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