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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #13 · Founded 2001
Admirals is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad market access, user-friendly platforms, and integrated research and education. It provides a range of account options and risk management tools under established…
Read the Admirals review
Trust rank #29 · Founded 2010
HFM (formerly HotForex) is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad market access through popular platforms, varied account types, and risk management tools. It provides research, education, and multilingual support with…
Read the HFM reviewAdmirals (Estonia, founded 2001) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. HFM (Cyprus, founded 2010) holds 4 regulatory licences (CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 226 countries; Admirals is available in 2 countries where HFM is not, and HFM in 2 where Admirals is not.
Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.
| Criteria | Admirals | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust rank | #13 | #29 |
| Founded | 2001 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Estonia | Cyprus |
| Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC | CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA |
| Broker type | Market Maker, STP | Market Maker, STP |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 228 countries | 228 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading, Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Copy Trading, Retail Trading |
Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.
Available at both (226): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island and 186 more.
Only Admirals (2): Türkiye, United Arab Emirates.
Only HFM (2): Belgium, Japan.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
Admirals holds more regulatory licences: Admirals (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC) versus HFM (CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA). Tier-1 licences: Admirals 2, HFM 1.
Admirals offers MT4, MT5; HFM offers MT4, MT5.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
Admirals is the older of the two, founded in 2001; HFM was founded in 2010.
They overlap in 226 countries. Admirals is additionally available in 2 countries (Türkiye, United Arab Emirates) and HFM in 2 countries (Belgium, Japan).
Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.