FOREX.com vs HYCM (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Sep 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FOREX.com

Trust rank #1 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 2001

FOREX.com is a well-regarded forex broker offering broad access to forex markets through web, desktop, and mobile platforms, with research, education, and risk management tools. It operates under applicable regulatory oversight in…

Read the FOREX.com review

HYCM

Trust 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 review

FOREX.com (United States, founded 2001) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA), 4 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView 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 205 countries; FOREX.com is available in 26 countries where HYCM is not, and HYCM in 0 where FOREX.com is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • FOREX.com leads on editorial rating, trust rank, platform choice, country coverage, fee level and tier-1 licences.
  • HYCM leads on track record and instrument range.
  • Level on regulatory coverage.

Scored on 9 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.

FOREX.com vs HYCM: side-by-side data

CriteriaFOREX.comHYCM
Editorial rating10 / 108.7 / 10
Trust rank#1#30
Founded20011977
HeadquartersUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
RegulatorsASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFACIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA
Broker typeDMA, Market Maker, STPMarket Maker, STP
PlatformsMT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted231 countries205 countries
Fee levelLowMedium
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesProfessional Trading, Retail TradingProfessional 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.

Pros

FOREX.com

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation (US/UK/CA)
  • Accepts US clients
  • Proprietary platform + MT4/MT5 support
  • Competitive spreads with raw/commission pricing options
  • Extensive FX pair offering

HYCM

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation (FCA, CySEC, DFSA, CIMA)
  • MT4 and MT5 platforms with EA support
  • Multiple account types (Fixed, Classic, Raw) incl. Islamic accounts
  • Competitive pricing with tight raw spreads and low commissions
  • Negative balance protection and segregated client funds

Cons

FOREX.com

  • No CFDs for U.S. clients
  • FIFO and no-hedging rules on U.S. accounts
  • No negative balance protection in the U.S.
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
  • High minimum balance for STP Pro/DMA accounts

HYCM

  • Offshore CIMA entity for most international clients
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Inactivity fees on dormant accounts
  • Limited platforms (MT4/MT5 only; no cTrader)
  • Wider spreads on Standard/Fixed accounts

Key features

FOREX.com

  • Spot forex and multi asset CFD trading
  • Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
  • MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 and Advanced Trading platform
  • TradingView integration and advanced charting tools
  • API trading via REST and FIX plus VPS support
  • Raw pricing with commission and standard spread only accounts

HYCM

  • Regulated in the UK Cyprus UAE and Cayman Islands
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms
  • Account types Fixed Classic Raw
  • Forex and CFD trading on indices commodities and shares
  • Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
  • Support for algorithmic trading and expert advisors

Country availability: FOREX.com vs HYCM

Available at both (205): 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 165 more.

Only FOREX.com (26): Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, South Sudan, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda and 1 more.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

FOREX.com vs HYCM: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FOREX.com or HYCM?

FOREX.com holds more regulatory licences: FOREX.com (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA) versus HYCM (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA). Tier-1 licences: FOREX.com 4, HYCM 1.

Which trading platforms do FOREX.com and HYCM offer?

FOREX.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView; HYCM offers MT4, MT5.

Which has lower fees, FOREX.com or HYCM?

FOREX.com is in the lower fee bracket (low vs medium) in our catalogue.

Which is older, FOREX.com or HYCM?

HYCM is the older of the two, founded in 1977; FOREX.com was founded in 2001.

Are FOREX.com and HYCM available in the same countries?

They overlap in 205 countries. FOREX.com is additionally available in 26 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada and 20 more) and HYCM in 0 countries ().

Keep comparing

FOREX.com

HYCM

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.