HFM Review
- Globally regulated, including by FCA and CySEC.
- MT4 and MT5 available, plus proprietary HFM App.
- Verified through live accounts testing.
HFM, formerly known as HotForex, has been a significant presence in the brokerage industry since 2010. This 2025 review provides a clear look at their services, focusing on their pricing structure, the user feedback available, and the strong regulatory framework that underpins their global operations, all explained in simple terms.
Live Spreads: Zero Spread Account is Competitive
A primary expense when trading is the spread, which is simply the difference between the immediate buy and sell price of an asset. HFM offers different account structures that affect this cost. Their Premium account typically includes all charges within the spread itself, making it commission free. For those seeking tighter spreads, the Zero Spread account offers pricing closer to the core market rates but adds a separate, fixed commission for each trade.
The live data presented in the table above suggests that HFM provides very competitive pricing, especially on their Zero Spread account, which is often highlighted for its low costs on major currency pairs. To see how HFM compares with other specific brokers or for different instruments, you can use the orange 'Edit' button to customise the display.
HFM User reviews
HFM Overall rating
Rating | Weight | |
User Rating |
4.1 (104 reviews)
|
3 |
Popularity |
5.0
|
3 |
Regulation |
5.0
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2 |
Pricing rating |
4.5
|
1 |
Features |
Not rated
|
1 |
Customer Support |
Not rated
|
1 |
On RebateKingFX, HFM holds a strong overall rating, which is significantly supported by positive user feedback and a top-tier score for regulation. Having been in operation since 2010, they are a well-established and popular choice for traders globally. Their high rating for pricing also aligns with user comments about competitive costs and the good value offered through their various trading accounts.
Regulation: Top Tier Oversight from FCA, CySEC & More
Company | Licenses & Regulations | Segregated Client Money | Deposit Compensation Scheme | Negative Balance Protection | Rebates | Max. Leverage Retail Clients |
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HF Markets (Europe) Ltd |
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30 : 1 | |
HF Markets (UK) Ltd |
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30 : 1 | |
HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd |
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1000 : 1 | |
HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd |
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50 : 1 | |
HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd |
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1000 : 1 | |
HFM Investments Ltd |
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400 : 1 | |
HF Markets (SV) Ltd
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
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2000 : 1 |
HFM is well regarded for its robust regulatory foundation, holding authorisations from several financial authorities across the globe. This includes respected top-tier regulators like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). They also hold licences from the DFSA (Dubai), FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles), and the CMA (Kenya).
This multi-entity structure means that clients are placed under different regulatory environments based on their location. Clients registered under the FCA or CySEC benefit from stringent oversight but also access to investor protection schemes like the UK's FSCS (covering up to £85,000). In contrast, clients under other entities like the FSA in Seychelles can often access higher leverage but operate outside these specific compensation frameworks.
Available Assets: Wide Selection Including Shares, ETFs & Crypto
Traders at HFM have access to an exceptionally wide array of financial markets. Their offering includes a vast selection of forex pairs, CFDs on global stock indices, energy products like oil, precious metals such as gold and silver, bonds, a variety of cryptocurrencies, and an extensive portfolio of international company shares and ETFs.
You can use the live symbol search tool above to explore the complete, up-to-date list of instruments. It's important to remember that these are predominantly traded as CFDs (Contracts for Difference). This method of speculating on price movements uses leverage, which can amplify gains but also significantly increases the risk of loss.
Live Swap Rates: Generally Competitive Overnight Charges
Holding trading positions open from one day to the next typically involves swap rates. These are daily financing adjustments, which can be either a charge or a credit to your account, based on the instrument, trade direction, and prevailing interest rates. HFM's swap rates are known to be generally competitive.
As is standard industry practice, a triple swap adjustment is usually applied mid-week (often on a Wednesday) to account for holding a position over the weekend. The data shown in the table above is sourced from live accounts. To compare the swap rates for HFM against other brokers or for different symbols, you can use the orange 'Edit' button.
Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5 & HFM App
Platform | Main Benefits | Points to Note |
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MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
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MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
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HFM App (Proprietary) |
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HFM stands out with its excellent range of platform choices. Clients can use the globally popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms and their own intuitive HFM App for mobile trading. This selection caters to nearly every type of trader, from beginners to experienced professionals.
Deposits/Withdrawals: Broad Options Including Crypto
Payment Method | Processing Time | Fee Stated by HFM | Common Base Currencies |
---|---|---|---|
Bank Wire | 2-7 business days | None* | USD, EUR (regional variations) |
Credit/Debit Cards | Instant | None | USD, EUR |
Skrill / Neteller | Instant | None | USD, EUR |
Cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC) | Network Dependent | None** | Crypto (converted to account currency) |
Regional Methods | Varies (Often Instant) | None | Regional currencies |
HFM provides a diverse selection of methods for funding your account and withdrawing profits. These include traditional bank transfers, major credit and debit cards, popular e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, cryptocurrencies (with availability depending on your region), and a variety of local payment solutions.
HFM typically does not charge its own fees for deposits or withdrawals. It's important to be aware, though, that third-party payment services or *intermediary banks may apply their own charges. **Crypto network fees also apply for deposits/withdrawals in crypto. For the most updated information on methods and fees, please check the official HFM website.
Leverage: Up to 1:2000 via Offshore Entities
The maximum leverage available with HFM is directly tied to the regulatory authority overseeing your account. Clients registered under stricter regulators like the FCA (UK) or CySEC (Cyprus) will typically have leverage capped at 1:30 for major forex pairs, in line with retail client protection standards.
Accounts held with entities regulated by the FSA in Seychelles can access much higher leverage, up to 1:2000. While this can increase trading power from a smaller capital base, it equally amplifies the risk of loss, requiring careful risk management.
HFM Profile
Company Name | HF Markets SA (PTY) & HF Markets (SV) Ltd |
Categories | Forex Brokers, Forex Rebates |
Primary Category | Forex Brokers |
Year Founded | 2010 |
Headquarters | Cyprus |
Office Locations | United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Kenya, Mauritius, United Kingdom, South Africa |
Account Currency | EUR, JPY, USD, ZAR, NGN |
Support Languages | Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Bengali, Urdu, Chinese (Traditional), Filipino |
Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit/Debit Card, FasaPay, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, BitPay, PayRedeem |
Financial Instruments | Forex, Shares, Indices, Bonds, Oil/Energies, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, ETFs |
Prohibited Countries | Iran, United States |
The HFM profile on RebateKingFX offers a comprehensive summary of the broker's key details. It outlines the available account base currencies, lists the many deposit and withdrawal methods, and highlights the languages supported. You can also find vital information regarding client fund safety, their regulatory licences, and a list of restricted countries.
HFM Promotions
HFM frequently runs promotional offers. These can include deposit bonuses and trading contests. As promotions and their eligibility requirements can change, it's always best to visit the official HFM website for the complete terms and conditions before you participate.