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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 reviewTrust rank #30 · Editorial rating 8.7 / 10 · Founded 1977
HYCM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering access to a broad range of currency pairs and other markets on MetaTrader platforms. It provides flexible account types, education and research resources,…
Read the HYCM 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. HYCM (United Kingdom, founded 1977) holds 4 regulatory licences (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our medium-fee bracket. The two overlap in 204 countries; Admirals is available in 24 countries where HYCM is not, and HYCM in 1 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 | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | Not verified | 8.7 / 10 |
| Trust rank | #13 | #30 |
| Founded | 2001 | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Estonia | United Kingdom |
| Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC | CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA |
| Broker type | Market Maker, STP | Market Maker, STP |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 228 countries | 205 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Medium |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading, Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Professional 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 (204): Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica and 164 more.
Only Admirals (24): Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, South Sudan, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda.
Only HYCM (1): 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 HYCM (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA). Tier-1 licences: Admirals 2, HYCM 1.
Admirals offers MT4, MT5; HYCM offers MT4, MT5.
Admirals is in the lower fee bracket (low vs medium) in our catalogue.
HYCM is the older of the two, founded in 1977; Admirals was founded in 2001.
They overlap in 204 countries. Admirals is additionally available in 24 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cayman Islands and 18 more) and HYCM in 1 countries (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.