Two brokers compete on cost models, access to global equities, and regulatory protections. This matchup pits HFM's regulated, multi-jurisdiction offer against Robinhood's consumer-friendly, commission-free approach.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose HFM if you prioritize broad exchange access and strong regulation.
Choose if…
Choose Robinhood if you want commission-free trading and a beginner-friendly mobile experience.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | HFM | Robinhood |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
HFM and Robinhood share the same editorial score of 3.8/5. One concrete differentiator: platform availability and account types differ between them.
HFM starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Robinhood. 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 Robinhood.
Both HFM and Robinhood 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.
HFM lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Robinhood lists up to 1:4. 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 Robinhood 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.
HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Robinhood supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. HFM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Robinhood has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Robinhood offers commission-free stock trading while HFM does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
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.
Robinhood wins for low-cost trading due to commission-free trades.
HFM leads safety and regulation with multi-jurisdiction oversight.
Robinhood offers fractional shares and dividend reinvestment for long-term investing.
Robinhood appeals to beginners with a simple mobile interface and fractional shares.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferACHDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FCA FSCA DFSA | SEC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Both HFM and Robinhood are closely matched overall, but Robinhood's commission-free trading stands out as the clearest differentiator, while HFM offers broader exchange access and stronger multi-jurisdictional regulation.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
Score 3.8 / 5
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