FXCM vs HFM (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
Advertiser disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning BrokerCatalogue may earn a commission if you open an account. This never affects the data shown here, which is drawn from our catalogue and compared mechanically. How we make money.
Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
FXCM is a well-regarded forex broker that provides access to currency pairs on proprietary and third-party trading platforms, with market research, education, and risk management tools. It operates through regulated entities.
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…
FXCM (United Kingdom, founded 1999) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView 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 224 countries; FXCM is available in 2 countries where HFM is not, and HFM in 4 where FXCM is not.
Verdict at a glance
FXCM leads on trust rank, track record, platform choice and tier-1 licences.
HFM leads on country coverage.
Level on regulatory coverage, instrument range and fee level.
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.
FXCM vs HFM: side-by-side data
Criteria
FXCM
HFM
Trust rank
#9
#29
Founded
1999
2010
Headquarters
United Kingdom
Cyprus
Regulators
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA
Broker type
STP
Market Maker, STP
Platforms
MT4, Proprietary, TradingView
MT4, MT5
Instruments
Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices
Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted
226 countries
228 countries
Fee level
Low
Low
Trading types
CFD Trading, Spot Trading
CFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use cases
Professional 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.
Pros
FXCM
FCA- and ASIC-regulated; segregated client funds
NDD/STP agency execution; deep liquidity
Trading Station and MT4; advanced charting and order types
REST/FIX APIs and Python SDK; VPS support for algos
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
Which is older, FXCM or HFM?
FXCM is the older of the two, founded in 1999; HFM was founded in 2010.
Are FXCM and HFM available in the same countries?
They overlap in 224 countries. FXCM is additionally available in 2 countries (Türkiye, United Arab Emirates) and HFM in 4 countries (Belgium, Hong Kong, India, 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.