HFM vs XM

 

An overall comprehensive side-by-side comparison of HFM vs XM. HFM (HFM) is a globally-recognized broker with Tier-1, 2, and 3 regulations in several regions. HFM offers 5 account types, superior trade execution, and zero spread accounts. But how does this broker weigh up against another international brand with a stellar reputation, XM?

 

HFM vs XM Review – 24 Key Point Quick Overview (2025):

1. ☑️ Overall Comparison
2. ☑️ Regulation Comparison
3. ☑️ Assets Comparison
4. ☑️ Fees Comparison
5. ☑️ Account Types Comparison
6. ☑️ Trading Conditions Comparison
7. ☑️ Deposit Options Comparison
8. ☑️ Trading Platforms Comparison
9. ☑️ Analytical Tools Comparison
10. ☑️ Educational Resources Comparison
11. ☑️ Forex Majors Offered Compared
12. ☑️ HFM vs XM
13. Which offers better pricing – HFM or XM
14. Which broker offers more security when trading Forex and CFDs?
15. Which broker offers the superior trading platform?
16. Do these brokers both offer MetaTrader?
17. How many Forex pairs can I expect from these brokers?
18. Is it safe to trade with HFM?
19. Is it safe to trade with XM?
20. Who is HFM?
21. Who is XM?
22. Is HFM a good broker?
23. Is XM a good broker?
24. Who is the Overall Winner?

 

 

Overall Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
🔄 General comparison	4/5	4/5
🏛️ Regulation	5/5	4/5
📊 Spreads and fees	4/5	3/5
📈 Trading Platforms	4/5	4/5
📱 Trading Apps	4/5	4/5
🛠️ Analytical Tools	4/5	5/5
🎓 Educational Resources	4/5	5/5
⭐ Trust Score	85	90
⭐ Best in class		✔️

 

Regulation Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
⭐ Trust Score	85	90
📅 Year founded	2010	2009
📊 Publicly Traded	❌ No	❌ No
🇿🇦 Licensed in South Africa	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
🥇 Tier-1 Regulation	1	1
🥈 Tier-2 Regulation	4	3
🥉 Tier-3 Regulation	2	1

 

Assets Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
📊 Forex	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Number of Forex pairs	53	57
📊 CFDs	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Bonds	✔️ Yes	❌ No
📊 Commodities	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 ETFs	✔️ Yes	❌ No
📊 Treasuries	❌ No	❌ No
📊 Indices	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Options	❌ No	❌ No
📊 Futures	❌ No	❌ No
📊 Precious Metals	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Energies	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Individual Shares	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 US Stock Trading	❌ No	✔️ Yes
📊 International Stock Trading	❌ No	✔️ Yes
📊 Cryptocurrency CFDs	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Physical Crypto	❌ No	❌ No
📊 Total Tradable Instruments	1000+	1372

 

Fees Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
💰 Average Spread for EUR/USD	0.0 pips	0.6 pips
💰 Commissions Charged	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💰 ECN Execution	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💰 Market Maker Execution	❌ No	✔️ Yes
💰 Inactivity Fee	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💰 Currency Conversion Fees	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💰 Deposit Fee	❌ No (if deposit is > R1600 ZAR / $100)	❌ No
💰 Withdrawal Fee	❌ No	❌ No

 

Account Types Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
📒 Standard Account	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📒 Cent Account	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📒 Commission-Free Account	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📒 ECN Account	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📒 Demo Account	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
☪️ Islamic/Swap-Free Account	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📒 Managed Accounts	❌ No	✔️ Yes
📒 Share Dealing Account	❌ No	✔️ Yes

 

Trading Conditions Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
📊 Hedging	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Scalping	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Dynamic Leverage	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Beginner Trading	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Professional Trading	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📊 Copy/Social Trading	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes

 

Deposit Options Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
💳 Bank wire	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💳 MasterCard	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💳 PayPal	❌ No	✔️ Yes
💳 Skrill	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💳 Neteller	❌ No	✔️ Yes
💳 Minimum Deposit	R85 ZAR / $5	R85 ZAR / $10

 

Trading Platforms Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
💻 Desktop Platform	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📱 Mobile App	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💻 Social Trading	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💻 MetaTrader 4	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💻 MetaTrader 5	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
💻 cTrader	❌ No	❌ No
💻 DupliTrade	❌ No	❌ No
💻 ZuluTrade	❌ No	❌ No
💻 Proprietary Platform	✔️ Yes, App	✔️ Yes, App

 

Analytical Tools Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
📅 Economic Calendar	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📈 Social Sentiment	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📈 Trading Central	❌ No	✔️ Yes
📈 AutoChartist	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📈 Forex News Sources	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📈 Daily Market Commentary	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📈 Virtual Private Server (VPS)	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
📈 Trading View	❌ No	❌ No
📈 Blog	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes

 

Educational Resources Comparison

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
🎓 Offers education	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
ℹ️ Webinars	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
ℹ️ Beginner training videos	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
ℹ️ Advanced training videos	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
ℹ️ Tutorials	✔️ Yes	✔️ Yes
ℹ️ eBooks	❌ No	❌ No
ℹ️ Glossary	❌ No	✔️ Yes

 

Forex Majors Offered Compared

🔍 Features	🏛️ HFM	🏛️ XM
💱 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

 

HFM vs XM

 

We spent many hours thoroughly examining the best-in-class Forex brokers for 2025. Here, we take a closer look at HFM vs XM.

 

Which offers better pricing – HFM or XM

 

XM offers better pricing than HFM. The pricing environment is one of the most obvious contrasts between XM and HFM. Commission-free markup of 0.6 pips or $6 per 1.0 standard lots is provided to XM traders.

The minimal spread at HFM is 0.0 pips on major instruments, but on standard accounts, there is an average spread of 1.3 pip, or $13. HFM provides a commission-based alternative beginning at 0.0 pips for a fee of $8 round turn on non-major instruments.

However, with HFM, the volume-based loyalty program reduces total transaction expenses. At XM, equity CFD trading remains commission-free, but with HFM, a minimum of 0.10% is applied.

The minimal commission for direct share trading at XM is $10.00 or 0.10%, which is still cheaper than HFM’ $13 per standard lot.

 

Which broker offers more security when trading Forex and CFDs?

 

Both brokers have impeccable regulatory records and have operating licenses in many countries. XM and HFM have subsidiaries that are regulated by the FSCA, DFSA, CySEC, and DFSA. The former also retain units subject to ASIC and IFSC supervision.

The latter is additionally licensed by the CMA, FSC, and FCA, but most foreign traders will deal with St. Vincent & the Grenadines entity, HFM (Seychelles) Ltd. despite HFM’ FSCA regulation.

In most countries, XM and HFM separate customer deposits from company money and provide negative balance protection. Both brokers provide security and trustworthiness, but XM is superior in terms of its trust score.

 

Which broker offers the superior trading platform?

 

Both XM and HFM share this title.

XM and HFM are two of the most well-known Forex market names. Both provide customers with improved MT4/MT5 trading platforms, analysis of the competition, and trading tools.

XM serves around 3.5 million traders, compared to 2.5 million at HFM, both of which rank in the top quartile. XM and HFM provide competitive research and trading tools while providing superior teaching for novice traders.

Both brokers maintain a strong incentive and rewards program, but XM’s administration is among the most engaging. The underlying trading environment is the same at both locations.

 

Do these brokers both offer MetaTrader?

 

Yes, both XM and HFM offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.

 

How many Forex pairs can I expect from these brokers?

 

XM offers 57 forex pairs while HFM offers 53, which does not indicate a significant difference between the two brokers.

However, XM offers a superior assortment of non-forex instruments that set these two brokers apart by a large margin. XM’s assets include 2 precious metals, 1,291 stock CFDs and over 100 individual shares, 31 crypto CFDs, 14 indices, 5 energies, and 10 commodities.

HFM, however, offers 6 precious metals, 901 DMA stocks, 34 ETFs, 24 indices, 23 stocks, 19 crypto asset CFDs, 4 energies, 3 bonds, and 5 agricultural commodities.

Both brokers give traders a well-balanced selection of trading markets, although XM has a clear advantage where the number of instruments is concerned, while HFM wins the diversity of options offered.

 

Is it safe to trade with HFM?

 

Yes, it is safe to trade with HFM. The broker has taken great care to guarantee that they are controlled by some of the most esteemed regulatory bodies in the world of foreign currency trading and finance. They are kept under control by a few regulating bodies.

Clients can feel confident that they are doing business with a reputable and trustworthy broker since every HFM subsidiary is subject to strict regulation and is required to abide by any laws and rules that may be in force.

To open an account with the proper regulatory body, you must first determine whether you are qualified to do so based on your location and trading needs.

According to the rules, HFM must provide accurate quarterly financial reports. Additionally, HFM must have sufficient cash on hand to cover any deposits made by its clients, changes in its currency holdings, and any unpaid obligations.

A trained internal auditor also alerts the government annually to any issues. The security of customers’ money at HFM is of greatest significance.

So that traders may concentrate only on their trading without being diverted by concerns about the protection of their funds, HFM has implemented extra security measures.

Due to several legal obligations, client funds are already covered. However, to further protect liability against customers, HFM EU provides an insurance program at no additional cost to the client.

Although the FSCA’s regulations are not as strict as those in the UK or Australia, HFM is nonetheless required to maintain client funds in separate accounts with the finest banks in South Africa and provide monthly statements to clients.

Additionally, HFM clients in South Africa have access to negative balance protection, which ensures they can never lose more money than they originally invested.

 

Is it safe to trade with XM?

 

Yes, it is safe to trade with XM.

 

Although XM is not as heavily regulated as HFM, it still receives high marks for reliability thanks to its oversight by regulatory bodies like:

 

• The International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) regulates and supervises XM Global Limited (license number 000261/158) in Belize.
• Key Way Financial (Pty) Ltd is a respected Financial Service Provider (FSP) with FSP number 49976, which is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.
• XM is regulated and authorized by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) under AFSL 443670 and operates via Trading Point of Financial Instruments Pty Ltd, ABN 32 164 367 113 in Australia.
• The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) regulates XM in Cyprus via Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd in Limassol, under license number 120/10.
• XM is licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) under reference number F003484 via Trading Point MENA Limited, a DIFC business in Dubai.

 

To guarantee the security of its customers, XM Group outsources withdrawal and deposit processing to regulated businesses.

Consumer funds are held in separate tier 1 banks from business funds, making it impossible for liquidity providers and XM to have access to them. The option to prevent customers’ accounts from going into the red is also available.

XM is dedicated to delivering the greatest degree of security for its clients and follows all rules set out by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID).

When it comes to trading, the XM Group provides its customers with the absolute best opportunities. With the help of several liquidity providers, they can always guarantee high liquidity and competitive spreads.

Customers can make withdrawals and deposits with confidence knowing that XM Group has only partnered with licensed institutions to process their transactions.

Liquidity providers and XM have no access to consumer funds since they are kept at different tier 1 banks from commercial funds. Customers’ accounts are safeguarded from having a negative balance.

XM is a fully compliant member of the Investor Compensation Fund and follows all requirements set out by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID).

At XM, the team works hard to ensure that all clients have optimal trading circumstances. XM maintains competitive spreads and strong liquidity via partnerships with many liquidity sources.

 

 

Who is HFM?

 

HFM is a multi-asset broker that was formerly known as HFM. It offers trading services for a variety of assets, including Forex and commodities, across five unique account types and various trading platforms, all of which provide reasonable spreads.

Before its rebranding, the company that is currently known as HFM was once known as HFM. When it comes to account options, trading assets, and the quality of its platform, HFM is unrivaled.

In addition to these benefits, HFM offers excellent trading conditions and quick order execution. In addition, there is a wide selection of tools and services available, making it possible for everyone to choose the optimal answer.

The reliability of the broker is supported by the fact that several agencies have been granted licenses. Since before the turn of the century, this company has been successful in the financial, brokerage, and other related service industries.

During this time, HFM has been awarded a remarkable number of honors for outstanding performance.

 

Who is XM?

 

XM Group (XM) has swiftly grown into a large and well-known trading broker on a global basis since its founding in 2009.

Internet trading services are provided by the globally renowned and regulated XM Group. You will get instant access to XM’s no-requotes, tight spreads, quick execution times, affordable fees, and protection against negative balances features.

South African traders using XM ought to be aware that there are no unforeseen costs; instead, all fees are listed on the website with a clear timetable.

Additionally, the broker charges lower costs for trading equities and commodities than the industry average. The firm also charges average rates for trading the primary instruments.

Over 3 million customers in 190 countries across six continents use XM’s services. As an online broker, XM offers trading in micro lots for CFDs via its Micro or Ultra-Low accounts, and these accounts are available to clients and are excellent for reducing risk.

They provide a trading environment that is affordable and perfect for new traders, are completely regulated, and have received several accolades. Additionally, XM offers a fantastic educational segment that is well-known for being among the best in the industry.

XM strives to maintain the trading environment fee-free; therefore, you could experience some exceptional value when trading.

To meet your specific needs, you are given a choice of many trading platforms and flexible trading conditions. Due to this, you may trade using all your preferred financial markets and strategies without having to worry about any difficulties.

The XM Group claims that no quotations will be revised or rejected, and they assert that 99.35 percent of transactions will be completed in under a second. Their whole operation is based on the idea that the most crucial element of trading is effective execution.

Although XM does not provide any social trading or direct copying services, you are still permitted to utilize the Expert Advisor (EA) tools included in your Metatrader platform.

This shows that even while XM is not associated with any external copy or social trading service, you may get forex and trading signals and methods from the greater community via the MQL5 forum and other places to utilize on your own account as a kind of copy trading if you so desire.

It is well-known that the Islamic account offered by XM is an outstanding solution for Islamic trading that is Shariah-compliant. XM is different from other brokers in that it does not impose an extra cost instead of the swap fee.

Islamic accounts are supported for those account kinds that are available, even though not all account types are available everywhere in the world. XM truly comes into its own with a first-rate teaching segment that is especially useful for beginner traders and can be found on the website.

In comparison to many other businesses in the sector, XM offers an enormous range of material that is more in-depth, and they are backed by a team of fifty business experts that provide daily live lectures and webinars that are broadcast in several various languages.

 

Is HFM a good broker?

 

Yes, HFM is a good broker. The Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund is a vital component of any registered broker, and HFM (Europe) Ltd. is a member of the fund. This membership helps to guarantee that customer funds are protected.

It is a complaint filed by insured investors against investment advising firms. The regulatory procedures guarantee the security of the customer’s cash.

HFM has gone beyond to ensure the safety of its traders by offering each client civil liability insurance coverage with a limit of 5,000,000 Euros.

This insurance provides the most comprehensive protection available in the market against errors, omissions, negligence, fraud, and other threats that might lead to monetary loss. However, according to the laws and regulations that are now in place, the criteria are different for each firm.

HFM is a well-respected foreign exchange broker that maintains a considerable presence in South Africa.

It is licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, in contrast to most other international brokers, and it offers trading accounts denominated in the South African rand.

It is possible to make deposits and withdrawals in South African Rand at several local institutions, including FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, and Standard Bank. These transactions may be completed swiftly and efficiently.

 

Is XM a good broker?

 

Yes, XM is a good broker. The XM broker began its operations in 2009, and it now serves customers from over 196 countries. Its support team is fluent in 30 languages, making it one of the most trusted Regulated Brokers.

There are several different sorts of accounts that are made available to XM customers when they first sign up for a subscription; nevertheless, the difference in functionality between these accounts is so little that it is impossible to ever choose the “wrong” one.

An ideal user of XM should be well-versed in either MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader5 since these are the only platforms that are compatible with the XM brokerage service.

Certain members have access to a Virtual Private Server that is physically placed close to XM’s London data center, allowing for lightning-fast processing times regardless of the member’s physical location, bandwidth, or power supply.

Users could take advantage of XM’s fee-free trading methodology, which does not tack on any additional charges for trade execution, deposits, or withdrawals.

Instead, XM mostly makes its money from the spread, and it has a nifty visual tool to indicate how much higher or lower its spread is in comparison to the average for the market.

 

Who is the Overall Winner?

 

XM is the overall winner as an industry-leader broker and trading provider, with HFM not far behind. While the fundamentals of trading have not changed much, XM has asserted its dominance in this comparison.

 

You might also like: HFM vs Exness