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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #12 · Founded 2006
AvaTrade is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering multiple trading platforms, broad market access, and educational resources. It provides market research and risk management tools with an emphasis on platform reliability…
Read the AvaTrade 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 reviewAvaTrade (Ireland, founded 2006) holds 8 regulatory licences (ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ…), 3 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary 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 213 countries; AvaTrade is available in 3 countries where HFM is not, and HFM in 15 where AvaTrade 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 | AvaTrade | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust rank | #12 | #29 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Cyprus |
| Regulators | ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ, FSCA, ISA, JFSA | CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA |
| Broker type | Market Maker | Market Maker, STP |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Proprietary | MT4, MT5 |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 216 countries | 228 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading | CFD Trading, Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Copy 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 (213): Albania, 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, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia and 173 more.
Only AvaTrade (3): Canada, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates.
Only HFM (15): Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Guernsey, India, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lebanon, Libya, New Zealand, Somalia, South Sudan, United Kingdom, Yemen.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
AvaTrade holds more regulatory licences: AvaTrade (ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ, FSCA, ISA, JFSA) versus HFM (CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA). Tier-1 licences: AvaTrade 3, HFM 1.
AvaTrade offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary; HFM offers MT4, MT5.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
AvaTrade is the older of the two, founded in 2006; HFM was founded in 2010.
They overlap in 213 countries. AvaTrade is additionally available in 3 countries (Canada, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates) and HFM in 15 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Guernsey, India, Iraq and 9 more).
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.