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

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

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

XM

Trust rank #26 · Founded 2009

XM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker providing online access to multiple markets on widely used platforms, along with research tools, education, and multilingual support.

Read the XM review

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. XM (Cyprus, founded 2009) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 227 countries; HFM is available in 1 countries where XM is not, and XM in 2 where HFM is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • XM leads on trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on platform choice, 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.

HFM vs XM: side-by-side data

CriteriaHFMXM
Trust rank#29#26
Founded20102009
HeadquartersCyprusCyprus
RegulatorsCySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCAASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC
Broker typeMarket Maker, STPMarket Maker, STP
PlatformsMT4, MT5MT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted228 countries229 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy 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

HFM

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

XM

  • CySEC and ASIC regulation
  • Low $5 minimum deposit
  • MT4/MT5 platform support (desktop/web/mobile)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Low-spread account options (commission-free and commission-based)

Cons

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

XM

  • Offshore regulation via IFSC Belize
  • CFDs only (no real stocks/ETFs ownership)
  • MT4/MT5 only; no proprietary platform
  • Inactivity fee applies
  • No ECN/DMA accounts

Key features

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

XM

  • Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Equities Metals Energies
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with algorithmic trading and VPS support
  • Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
  • Multi jurisdiction regulation CySEC ASIC DFSA IFSC
  • Multiple account types Micro Standard Ultra Low with tight spreads
  • Market execution low latency and high fill rates with no requotes

Country availability: HFM vs XM

Available at both (227): Afghanistan, 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 and 187 more.

Only HFM (1): Israel.

Only XM (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 vs XM: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, HFM or XM?

XM holds more regulatory licences: HFM (CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA) versus XM (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC). Tier-1 licences: HFM 1, XM 2.

Which trading platforms do HFM and XM offer?

HFM offers MT4, MT5; XM offers MT4, MT5.

Which has lower fees, HFM or XM?

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

Which is older, HFM or XM?

XM is the older of the two, founded in 2009; HFM was founded in 2010.

Are HFM and XM available in the same countries?

They overlap in 227 countries. HFM is additionally available in 1 countries (Israel) and XM in 2 countries (Türkiye, United Arab Emirates).

Keep comparing

HFM

XM

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.