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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
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 reviewTrust 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 reviewHFM (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. 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 203 countries; HFM is available in 25 countries where HYCM is not, and HYCM in 2 where HFM 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 | HFM | HYCM |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | Not verified | 8.7 / 10 |
| Trust rank | #29 | #30 |
| Founded | 2010 | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | United Kingdom |
| Regulators | CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA | CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA |
| Broker type | Market Maker, STP | Market Maker, STP |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| Instruments | Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 228 countries | 205 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Medium |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading, Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Copy Trading, Retail Trading | Professional 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 (203): 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 163 more.
Only HFM (25): Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iraq, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, South Sudan, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda.
Only HYCM (2): Türkiye, United Arab Emirates.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
HFM holds more regulatory licences: HFM (CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA) versus HYCM (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA). Tier-1 licences: HFM 1, HYCM 1.
HFM offers MT4, MT5; HYCM offers MT4, MT5.
HFM is in the lower fee bracket (low vs medium) in our catalogue.
HYCM is the older of the two, founded in 1977; HFM was founded in 2010.
They overlap in 203 countries. HFM is additionally available in 25 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Cambodia and 19 more) and HYCM in 2 countries (Türkiye, United Arab Emirates).
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.