FP Markets vs HFM (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FP Markets

Trust rank #23 · Editorial rating 9 / 10 · Founded 2005

FP Markets is a well-regarded forex broker providing access to currencies and CFDs on popular platforms, supported by research tools and education. It offers broad market coverage, platform choice, and multilingual customer…

Read the FP Markets review

HFM

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 review

FP Markets (Australia, founded 2005) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers cTrader, 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 222 countries; FP Markets is available in 3 countries where HFM is not, and HFM in 6 where FP Markets is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • FP Markets leads on trust rank, track record, platform choice and instrument range.
  • HFM leads on country coverage.
  • Level on regulatory coverage, fee level and tier-1 licences.

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.

FP Markets vs HFM: side-by-side data

CriteriaFP MarketsHFM
Editorial rating9 / 10Not verified
Trust rank#23#29
Founded20052010
HeadquartersAustraliaCyprus
RegulatorsASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCACySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA
Broker typeDMA, ECN, STPMarket Maker, STP
PlatformscTrader, MT4, MT5MT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted225 countries228 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail TradingCopy 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

FP Markets

  • ASIC & CySEC regulated
  • Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips
  • Fast execution and deep liquidity
  • MT4/MT5 platforms with EAs, hedging & scalping
  • Low commissions on RAW account

HFM

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation
  • Zero Spread account option
  • MT4 and MT5 platform support
  • Copy trading and PAMM/MAM
  • Wide range of tradable instruments

Cons

FP Markets

  • No negative balance protection across all entities
  • No investor compensation scheme (ASIC clients)
  • IRESS platform and market data fees
  • Withdrawal fees on international bank wires/selected methods
  • Not available to US residents

HFM

  • Offshore entity onboarding with weaker regulatory oversight (St. Vincent & the Grenadines)
  • MT4/MT5-only platform choice; no cTrader
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLO)
  • Negative balance protection not guaranteed across all entities
  • No investor compensation scheme for offshore clients

Key features

FP Markets

  • Multi asset Forex and CFD trading on MT4 MT5 cTrader and Iress
  • ECN raw spreads deep liquidity and low latency execution
  • ASIC and CySEC regulated with segregated client funds
  • Advanced trading tools Autochartist VPS and copy trading
  • MAM PAMM accounts for portfolio management
  • Direct market access share CFDs via Iress

HFM

  • Multi asset CFD trading across Forex Indices Commodities Metals Energies and Shares
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms with desktop web and mobile
  • Copy trading via HFCopy and PAMM account options
  • Zero Spread and other account types with raw pricing and low latency execution
  • Advanced tools including VPS hosting and Autochartist
  • Multi jurisdiction regulation client fund segregation and negative balance protection

Country availability: FP Markets vs HFM

Available at both (222): Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, 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 182 more.

Only FP Markets (3): Canada, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates.

Only HFM (6): Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Somalia, Yemen.

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

FP Markets vs HFM: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FP Markets or HFM?

FP Markets holds more regulatory licences: FP Markets (ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA) versus HFM (CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA). Tier-1 licences: FP Markets 1, HFM 1.

Which trading platforms do FP Markets and HFM offer?

FP Markets offers cTrader, MT4, MT5; HFM offers MT4, MT5.

Which has lower fees, FP Markets or HFM?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, FP Markets or HFM?

FP Markets is the older of the two, founded in 2005; HFM was founded in 2010.

Are FP Markets and HFM available in the same countries?

They overlap in 222 countries. FP Markets is additionally available in 3 countries (Canada, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates) and HFM in 6 countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Somalia, Yemen).

Keep comparing

FP Markets

HFM

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.