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 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…
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,…
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.
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
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.
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 ().
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.