Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs HFM, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
XTB and HFM are two prominent online brokers catering to diverse trading preferences. Founded in 2002, XTB distinguishes itself by being publicly traded, which enhances its transparency for investors. Meanwhile, HFM, established in 2010, remains a privately-held entity. Neither of these brokers functions as a traditional bank. When it comes to trustworthiness, XTB holds a Trust Score of 96 out of 99 as rated by ForexBrokers.com, signaling a high level of trust. In contrast, HFM scores an 86, marking them as a trusted broker but slightly behind XTB in this regard.
Both brokers have secured two Tier-1 licenses, a testament to their commitment to regulatory adherence and highly trusted status. However, HFM surpasses XTB in Tier-2 licenses with three compared to XTB's two, showing its broader reach in trusted regulatory compliance. While both brokers offer a secure trading environment, potential investors might consider XTB's higher Trust Score and public trading status as factors in their decision-making process.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
XTB offers a variety of account types, including a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account for qualified clients in the U.K. and Europe. The pricing for these accounts generally aligns with the industry average, although it may not be as competitive as the top brokers. XTB's Standard account features average forex spreads of 1 pip on the EUR/USD, based on Q4 2023 data, and requires a minimum deposit of 250 in base currency. XTB's Professional account is being phased out and is not widely available, making the Standard account the preferred choice for most retail traders. With an active trader program known as XTB's Lower Spread Group, clients can receive rebates ranging from 5% to 30% on their spread costs, depending on their trading volume. With a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for commissions and fees, XTB is ranked #11 out of 63 brokers in this category by ForexBrokers.com.
HFM's trading costs tend to be slightly above the industry average, with their standard trading accounts typically showing a spread of 1.2 pips. The lack of a specified date range means the average spread could be less favorable. HFM’s Zero account offers an effective spread of 0.7 pips after applying commission costs, though this is not presented as an average. Despite these limitations, HFM achieves a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking #31 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
When comparing XTB and HFM in terms of commissions and fees, XTB tends to be more attractive for those looking for lower spreads and potential rebates through active trading programs. XTB's higher ranking and star rating highlight its competitive edge in these areas. HFM, while slightly above average in terms of costs, still offers competitive options but may not be as appealing to traders focused on minimizing fees.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Join 239,000+ traders worldwide.
Regulated in 7 jurisdictions
When exploring the range of investments offered by online brokers XTB and HFM, you'll find notable differences in their offerings. XTB provides an extensive catalog featuring 7,184 tradeable symbols, including 71 forex pairs, available as CFDs or spot contracts. Significantly, XTB allows clients to delve into actual exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, making it possible to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone directly. Meanwhile, HFM offers 500 tradeable symbols and a broader selection of 102 tradeable forex pairs, also available as CFDs or spot contracts. However, HFM does not support the direct purchase of exchange-traded securities on any exchange.
When it comes to features like copy trading and cryptocurrency options, the brokers further distinguish themselves. HFM supports copy trading, an appealing option for those looking to follow the strategies of experienced traders, while XTB does not offer this feature. Both brokers provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Based on these offerings, XTB earns a high rating of 5 stars for its investment range and ranks 14th out of 63 brokers, whereas HFM receives 4 stars and holds the 36th spot in the same category.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by XTB and HFM, both brokers cater to traders with a mix of features and capabilities. XTB excels with its proprietary platform, offering a polished trading experience that includes a free virtual demo account and the ability to trade directly from a stock chart. Traders can access a Windows-based desktop platform, as well as a web-based platform. On the other hand, while HFM also provides a proprietary platform and similar features like a demo account and desktop and web trading, it enhances its offering by supporting MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are well-regarded in the trading community for their flexibility and comprehensive feature set.
However, for those interested in charting tools, XTB provides a slightly richer set of features with 32 drawing tools compared to HFM's 30. Additionally, XTB allows for more customizable watch lists with 8 columns, while HFM offers 7. Notably, XTB does not support copy trading, while HFM does, appealing to traders who prefer to follow and mirror experienced investors. When it comes to overall ratings for trading platforms and tools, XTB is rated higher with 4.5 stars out of 5, whereas HFM comes in at 4 stars. Ranked by ForexBrokers.com, XTB holds the 9th position out of 63 brokers, a significant lead over HFM, which is positioned at 42. This indicates XTB's superior standing in terms of trading technology and the diverse capabilities it offers to its users.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XTB and HFM, both offer iPhone and Android apps, ensuring traders have access, regardless of device choice. Both platforms provide price alerts for stocks and forex, alongside features like trendline drawing and multiple time frame viewing options. This makes it easy for traders to analyze market trends on the go. While both apps support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, neither offers watchlist symbol syncing with online accounts, meaning changes won't automatically reflect everywhere. However, users can count on the apps to auto-save their chart drawings.
In terms of technical studies available for charting, XTB provides a more extensive selection with 39 options, compared to HFM’s 30. This detail might make a difference for users who rely heavily on technical analysis. The app ratings reflect these differences, with XTB earning an impressive 4.5 stars, ranking it 8th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, HFM holds a respectable 4-star rating, placing it at 39th. These rankings suggest that while both apps are well-equipped, XTB delivers a slightly superior mobile trading experience for users seeking depth in technical analysis and ease of use.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing XTB and HFM for market research offerings, both platforms provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring that traders stay informed with reliable insights. Additionally, they both offer sentiment-based trading tools, allowing users to see the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, as well as economic calendars that display key global news events, helping traders make informed decisions. However, when it comes to specialized analysis tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, HFM stands out by offering Autochartist resources, whereas XTB does not support tools from either Autochartist or Trading Central.
Despite both brokers offering similar news and analysis, XTB emerges as the stronger contender in overall research quality, evidenced by its 5-star research rating and a commendable #7 rank out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, HFM has a 4-star rating and is ranked #20 among its peers. While both brokers offer valuable research tools, XTB's higher rating and ranking indicate a superior reputation in delivering quality market insights, which could be a crucial deciding factor for traders focusing on extensive research capabilities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When choosing between XTB and HFM for educational resources tailored to beginners, there are several factors to consider. Both XTB and HFM provide a wide variety of educational content, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring newcomers have access to essential learning materials. These brokers also host online webinars at least once a month and maintain searchable archives of past sessions, making it easy for beginners to revisit and learn at their own pace. Additionally, each platform offers more than ten videos specifically aimed at beginner traders to help them grasp the basics of trading strategies.
Despite these similarities, there are some differences that might influence your decision. XTB excels in delivering more comprehensive advanced educational content for those looking to deepen their trading expertise. However, one downside is that XTB does not provide an investor dictionary, unlike HFM, which offers a dictionary with definitions for over 50 terms, an excellent resource for understanding trading jargon. In terms of user ratings and rankings, XTB stands out with a perfect 5-star rating for education, holding the impressive 11th position out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, HFM earns a respectable 4-star rating but is placed at 37th in the same category. These distinctions may guide beginners in selecting the platform that best fits their educational needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than HFM. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both XTB and HFM do not provide options for buying actual, delivered cryptocurrencies, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and HFM, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for account transactions, XTB allows deposits and withdrawals via PayPal whereas HFM does not, both brokers support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, highlighting XTB's advantage with the inclusion of PayPal for its users.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XTB Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | XTB | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | HFM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill