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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 review
Trust rank #7 · Founded 2002
XTB is a forex and CFD broker offering a proprietary platform, broad instrument coverage, and integrated research and education. It is regulated in multiple jurisdictions.
Read the XTB 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. XTB (Poland, founded 2002) holds 5 regulatory licences (DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF), 1 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 46 countries; HFM is available in 182 countries where XTB is not, and XTB 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 | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Trust rank | #29 | #7 |
| Founded | 2010 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Poland |
| Regulators | CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA | DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF |
| Broker type | Market Maker, STP | Market Maker |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices |
| Countries accepted | 228 countries | 48 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD 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 (46): Angola, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and 6 more.
Only HFM (182): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei and 157 more.
Only XTB (2): Canada, 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.
XTB holds more regulatory licences: HFM (CySEC, DFSA, FCA, FSCA) versus XTB (DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF). Tier-1 licences: HFM 1, XTB 1.
HFM offers MT4, MT5; XTB offers Proprietary.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
XTB is the older of the two, founded in 2002; HFM was founded in 2010.
They overlap in 46 countries. HFM is additionally available in 182 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla and 176 more) and XTB in 2 countries (Canada, 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.