Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing online brokers HFM and ActivTrades, both non-bank entities have been operating since 2010 and 2001 respectively. Neither is publicly traded, pointing to a focus on private ownership. From a regulatory standpoint, both brokers hold two Tier-1 licenses, indicating their operations are considered highly trusted. However, the number of Tier-2 licenses, which denotes a trusted status, differs, with HFM holding three compared to ActivTrades’ one.
In terms of overall trustworthiness, ForexBrokers.com provides a Trust Score to measure risk and reliability. HFM boasts a Trust Score of 86, placing it firmly within the "trusted" category. ActivTrades, while slightly lower, holds a Trust Score of 81, also falling under the "trusted" range. These ratings reflect the brokers' adherence to regulatory standards and their commitment to providing a reliable trading environment.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
When evaluating online brokers HFM and ActivTrades, their commissions and fees play a significant role in choosing the right platform. HFM, with a four-star rating for commissions and fees, ranks 31st out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Its trading costs tend to be slightly above the industry average. The standard trading accounts feature spreads of around 1.2 pips, although this isn't an average since no specific date range is provided. For those using the Zero account, the effective spread stands at 0.7 pips after commission, though again, this is not an average figure.
In contrast, ActivTrades also holds a four-star rating in the same category but is ranked slightly higher, at 27th out of 62. Their spreads generally offer a slight advantage over industry average but are not as competitive as the leading low-cost forex brokers. The broker provides an Individual Account along with Professional and Islamic Account options, without specialized pricing for active or high-volume traders. Spreads at ActivTrades, averaging 0.98 pips for the EUR/USD in May 2024, can fluctuate during trading sessions, particularly during rollover periods.
For traders trying to decide between these two brokers, HFM presents a straightforward account structure with slightly higher costs, while ActivTrades offers a variety of account types with spreads that can vary but are generally closer to the industry average. Both platforms have their strengths, so the choice will largely depend on your specific trading needs and the types of assets you are interested in trading.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investment options, both HFM and ActivTrades present distinct offerings. HFM offers forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, with a substantial selection of 500 tradeable symbols, including 102 forex pairs. However, HFM does not provide the ability to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges. Nonetheless, it does include options for cryptocurrency derivatives and offers copy trading capabilities.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, also enables forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts but stands out with more tradeable symbols at 1267, albeit fewer forex pairs at 49. Unlike HFM, ActivTrades allows clients to buy exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, adding a layer of diversity to its offerings. Like HFM, ActivTrades offers both cryptocurrency derivatives and copy trading. Both platforms have received a 4-star rating for their range of investments, but ActivTrades is slightly higher ranked at #31 compared to HFM's #36 ranking by ForexBrokers.com in their category.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of HFM and ActivTrades, both brokers offer a solid range of functionalities that cater to various types of traders. Both provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, enabling beginners to practice without financial risk. Each broker has developed its own proprietary platform and also supports popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. They both provide a Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based platform, ensuring flexibility for traders who prefer different devices. Additionally, copy trading is available through both HFM and ActivTrades, although neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade for social trading. When it comes to charting capabilities, they allow trading directly from stock charts, but HFM offers more drawing tools with 30 compared to ActivTrades' 15.
Moreover, ActivTrades provides more customization for watch lists with 11 columns, while HFM offers seven. Despite these differences, both brokers have received a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. In terms of industry ranking by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is placed higher at 29th out of 62 brokers, while HFM is ranked 42nd. This suggests a slight edge for ActivTrades in perceived platform excellence, although both are considered competitive options in the market. Traders should consider their specific needs, such as charting and customization features, when choosing between the two.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When considering mobile trading apps, both HFM and ActivTrades offer versatile options suitable for traders on the go. Available for iPhone and Android users, these apps ensure access to trading platforms regardless of the device. Both HFM and ActivTrades feature essential tools like stock and forex price alerts and enable users to draw trendlines on charts. They offer 30 technical studies for detailed analysis and support multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday views. On top of that, each app automatically saves chart drawings, adding convenience for those who frequently analyze trends.
While both HFM and ActivTrades allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, neither app provides the ability to synchronize these watchlists with online accounts. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, ActivTrades holds a higher position at #19 out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, compared to HFM's #39 spot. Despite this difference in ranking, both apps earn a solid 4-star rating, offering comparable experiences for mobile traders. Whether you're inclined towards HFM or ActivTrades, both platforms deliver fundamental features to aid your trading journey.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing market research offerings between HFM and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a solid foundation for traders. They each offer daily market commentary as well as forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. A sentiment-based trading tool is also available with both brokers, which displays the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. Additionally, both HFM and ActivTrades include an economic calendar to track global news events. However, HFM edges out ActivTrades with its inclusion of technical analysis tools from Autochartist, a feature ActivTrades does not provide. Neither broker offers tools from Trading Central or research services from TipRanks and Acuity Trading.
Both HFM and ActivTrades have received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for their research offerings. However, in a market comparison conducted by ForexBrokers.com, HFM ranks higher at number 20 out of 62 brokers compared to ActivTrades, which stands at number 30. While both brokers offer comprehensive market research features, HFM's additional technical analysis tool may appeal to traders looking for more depth in market research capabilities.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners at HFM and ActivTrades, both online brokers provide valuable resources to novice traders interested in forex or CFDs. Each offers a collection of educational articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring that beginners have access to essential learning material beyond the minimum requirement of ten pieces. Additionally, both platforms conduct regular online webinars, with at least one session per month, and maintain a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars for added convenience. This allows users to revisit sessions at their own pace and reinforce their understanding.
However, there are subtle differences in their educational toolsets. Both brokers present over ten educational videos specifically tailored for beginners, as well as advanced topics for more experienced traders. Yet, while HFM stands out with a comprehensive investor dictionary containing definitions of over fifty investing terms, ActivTrades does not offer this feature. Despite these differences, both companies achieve a strong educational rating of four out of five stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, HFM ranks slightly higher in educational offerings, sitting at 37th among 62 brokers, while ActivTrades is closely behind at 38th place. This demonstrates their commitment to equipping traders with the knowledge needed to navigate the trading world.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that HFM is better than ActivTrades. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Alongside its enhanced MetaTrader offering and quality research, HFM (HF Markets), previously known as HotForex, offers a proprietary copy trading platform, HFcopy, a proprietary HF mobile app, and a decent selection of over 1,000 CFDs and 47 forex pairs. Still, trading costs at HFM are slightly above the industry average.
| Feature |
HFM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 86 | 81 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both HFM and ActivTrades do not provide the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies for delivery but do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both HFM and ActivTrades lack ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options for depositing or withdrawing funds, they both offer convenient alternatives like Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, providing versatile funding methods for traders.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | HFM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | HFM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | ActivTrades Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill