Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Capital.com vs HFM, 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.
Capital.com and HFM are both well-regarded online brokers, though they differ in their regulatory standings and background. Founded in 2016, Capital.com holds 3 Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, alongside 1 Tier-2 license. Its Trust Score of 87 out of 99, as rated by ForexBrokers.com, positions it in the "trusted" category. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, Capital.com demonstrates strong regulatory credentials compared to many in the industry.
In contrast, HFM has been in operation since 2010 and holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a balanced regulatory standing. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, HFM is also categorized as "trusted". Like Capital.com, HFM is neither publicly traded nor a bank, yet it has built a solid reputation for reliability over the years. Both brokers offer valuable services, but Capital.com edges slightly ahead in terms of its Tier-1 licensing and Trust Score.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Capital.com is a standout option for cost-conscious traders. With pricing slightly better than the industry average, this broker offers attractive trading conditions. For the popular EUR/USD pair, Capital.com lists a dynamic spread of 0.67 pips, an impressive figure that reflects its average spread during April 2024. This low average spread makes it a competitive choice for forex trading, providing a cost-efficient trading environment for both retail traders and those who qualify as professional clients. For this, Capital.com earns a 5-star rating and ranks #3 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, HFM's trading costs are a bit higher than the industry standard. Their standard account typically features a 1.2 pip spread, though without specific timeframes, the actual average spread could vary. HFM also offers a Zero account with an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, but this is also not an average figure. Given these conditions, HFM is rated 4 stars and ranks #31 out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, while both brokers provide viable options for forex trading, Capital.com stands out for its lower spreads and superior rankings. Though HFM offers different account types for varied needs, traders looking for lower fees might find Capital.com's offerings more attractive.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 looking at the investment options available at Capital.com compared to HFM, there are notable distinctions to consider. Capital.com shines when it comes to the variety of tradeable symbols, boasting an impressive 3007 compared to HFM's 500. For those interested in forex trading, Capital.com also offers a wider selection with 125 forex pairs, exceeding HFM's offering of 102 pairs. However, neither platform provides access to exchange-traded securities on either U.S. or international exchanges, which limits the ability to purchase specific stocks like Apple or Vodafone directly.
Both Capital.com and HFM offer forex trading as a CFD or spot contract and provide cryptocurrency derivatives trading, but neither enables the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. A significant point of differentiation is HFM's support for copy trading, which may appeal to investors interested in mimicking successful traders' strategies, whereas Capital.com does not offer this feature. According to ForexBrokers.com, Capital.com ranks higher, placed at #22, while HFM falls at #36 for the Range of Investments category, reflecting Capital.com's slightly broader offerings. Furthermore, Capital.com receives a 4.5-star rating, edging out HFM's 4 stars, indicating a marginally better range of investments overall.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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.
Capital.com and HFM both offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms, allowing users to experience trading without real money at stake. They each provide a Windows-based desktop download and web-based trading platforms, making access convenient for traders. Capital.com supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) but not MetaTrader 5 (MT5), whereas HFM offers both, catering to both older and more recent versions of this popular software. Additionally, HFM facilitates copy trading, a feature not available with Capital.com, providing an option for users interested in replicating other successful trades.
When it comes to charting tools, Capital.com provides 18 drawing tools, while HFM offers 30, potentially offering more versatility for technical analysis. Both platforms support trading directly from stock charts and include varying options for watch lists, with Capital.com providing 11 columns compared to HFM's 7. In terms of platform ratings, Capital.com earns 4.5 stars and ranks #12 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting a slightly higher user satisfaction compared to HFM, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks #42. This insight might guide potential traders in comparing which broker aligns better with their trading needs.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Capital.com and HFM, both platforms offer applications for iPhone and Android devices, making them accessible to a wide range of users. They each provide stock and forex price alerts, as well as the capability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, neither app offers watchlist symbol syncing, meaning changes in mobile watchlists don’t sync with online accounts. Both Capital.com and HFM include 30 technical studies in their charting tools, support drawing trendlines, and allow viewing various time frames for stock and forex charts. An added convenience is that both apps can auto-save drawings made on charts.
Capital.com distinguishes itself with a higher mobile trading app rating of 4.5 stars, compared to HFM's 4 stars. Moreover, Capital.com holds a stronger position in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, placing 12th out of 62 brokers, whereas HFM stands at 39th. These distinctions might make Capital.com a more appealing choice for users who are particularly interested in advanced mobile trading capabilities and higher app satisfaction ratings.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 the market research offerings of Capital.com and HFM, both online brokers provide valuable insights, though they stand out in different areas. Both brokers deliver daily market commentary and feature economic calendars showcasing current and upcoming global events, helping traders stay informed about economic shifts. Capital.com stands out by offering sentiment-based trading tools and market research from TipRanks, giving traders tools to understand market trends and access varied insights. In contrast, HFM shines by delivering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, and incorporating technical analysis tools like Autochartist into their offerings—although both firms lack involvement with Trading Central and Acuity Trading tools.
In terms of rankings and ratings, Capital.com holds a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating for research and a higher rank of #14 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strength in providing comprehensive market analysis. Meanwhile, HFM holds a respectable 4-star rating and ranks #20, still showcasing reliable research capabilities, albeit with less overall recognition compared to Capital.com. Traders prioritizing high-tier news and technical tools might lean toward HFM, whereas those valuing sentiment analysis and market insight from TipRanks may prefer Capital.com.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Capital.com and HFM provide a wide array of materials to help new traders get started. Each broker offers more than 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, focusing on forex and CFDs. Capital.com and HFM each provide a comprehensive selection of beginner videos tailored specifically for novice traders, and advanced videos for those with more experience. Both brokers also offer a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, allowing users to revisit lessons at their convenience. Additionally, they each feature an investor dictionary, defining over 50 investing terms, making it easier for traders to learn the language of trading.
Despite these similarities, there are some key differences between the two. HFM offers live educational webinars each month, while Capital.com does not. This commitment to ongoing education can be vital for those who prefer real-time interaction and the latest market insights. When considering the overall education experience, Capital.com is rated higher at 4.5 stars, compared to HFM’s 4 stars. Furthermore, Capital.com ranks significantly better in the education category, placing 8th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while HFM comes in at 37th. For those placing a premium on educational support, these differences might influence which platform to choose.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Capital.com is better than HFM. Capital.com finished with an overall rank of #10, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
Capital.com stands out for its quality research, strong educational content, and innovative web platform. Capital.com holds fewer regulatory licenses and offers a narrower range of markets than some of the best brokers, but still significantly outperforms the industry average.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 86 |
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Both Capital.com and HFM do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies with delivery, but they do provide options for buying cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Capital.com and HFM, both offer Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options for funding accounts, while Capital.com uniquely supports PayPal, and neither broker provides ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Capital.com | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Capital.com | HFM | |
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| Regulation | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 87 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Capital.com | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Capital.com Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Capital.com | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review | HFM Review |
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