Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets 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.
When comparing CMC Markets and HFM, both brokers offer secure platforms for online trading, but they differ significantly in their trust and regulation. Established in 1989, CMC Markets is publicly traded and boasts a top-tier ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, reflecting a high level of trust. The company holds 5 Tier-1 licenses, indicating substantial regulatory oversight, and 1 Tier-2 license, demonstrating additional layers of security. In contrast, HFM, founded in 2010, is not publicly traded, and holds a slightly lower Trust Score of 86. While HFM is recognized as trusted with its 2 Tier-1 licenses, it manages to hold more Tier-2 licenses than CMC Markets, with 3 in total, adding a level of reliability to its offerings.
Neither CMC Markets nor HFM operates as a bank, which is worth considering for investors who may prefer a banking institution for their trading activities. However, CMC Markets stands out in terms of regulatory reputation, being in the market far longer and maintaining an impressive number of high-tier licenses. While HFM provides a competitive alternative with its trusted status, CMC Markets' long-standing industry presence and public trading status might appeal more to those prioritizing maximum trust and transparency.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
CMC Markets stands out as a leading choice for traders focused on low commissions and fees, earning the top spot and a five-star rating in our 2025 Annual Awards. This recognition is credited to its consistently low spreads available across all account types. For instance, the average spread on popular pairs like the EUR/USD is typically 0.61 pips, showcasing pricing that is not only competitive but superior to industry averages. CMC's Price Plus Scheme further enhances trading efficiency by offering active traders significant discounts based on Trading Points, rewarding them with up to a 20% reduction in spreads. Additionally, the FX Active pricing structure provides even more savings, with zero pip minimum spreads, complemented by a $2.50 per side commission, making it a cost-effective choice for those trading in Southeast Asia, Australia, and other international regions.
On the other hand, HFM delivers trading costs slightly above the industry norm, reflected by its four-star rating and a #31 ranking. For standard accounts, spreads typically hover at 1.2 pips, albeit with a degree of uncertainty due to unspecified date ranges. The Zero account at HFM provides a more refined spread of 0.7 pips after commissions, yet lacks clear average values. For traders prioritizing the narrowest margins and predictable costs, these aspects could be limiting compared to the streamlined offerings of competitors like CMC Markets.
When evaluating spreads and fees, consistency and transparency are key. CMC Markets’ focus on providing stable spreads close to their advertised minimums sets them apart, offering traders clarity and confidence in their cost structures. While HFM provides a decent option, CMC Markets emerges as the clear frontrunner in delivering competitive trading fees, thoroughly securing its leadership in this category with superior pricing strategies and optimized trading conditions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets and HFM both cater to forex traders by offering CFD and spot contract trading options. When it comes to the overall variety of available investments, CMC Markets excels with an impressive 11,925 tradable symbols compared to HFM’s 500. In the realm of forex pairs, CMC Markets continues to outshine with 156 offerings, while HFM provides 102. Furthermore, CMC Markets gives its clients the advantage of trading exchange-listed securities on both U.S. and international markets, such as Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, HFM does not extend this option to its users.
Both CMC Markets and HFM support copy trading, allowing investors to replicate the strategies of seasoned traders. However, neither broker offers the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency, although they do permit trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. CMC Markets is rated five stars for its range of investments and holds a ranking of ninth out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, HFM is awarded four stars and is positioned at thirty-sixth for the same category. This makes CMC Markets a more diverse platform for investors seeking varied financial instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
Both CMC Markets and HFM provide a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools tailored for different trading needs. When it comes to simulated trading, both brokers offer free demo accounts which can be a great advantage for beginners wanting to practice without financial risk. Each company offers a proprietary platform, along with compatibility with popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, catering to traders who favor these industry-standard options. Additionally, CMC Markets and HFM both support copy trading, allowing clients to mimic the trades of seasoned experts. For those who prefer trading directly from their browser, both brokers provide web-based platforms, ensuring flexibility and convenience. Furthermore, if you’re looking for more involved trading experience, both brokers also offer Windows-based desktop platforms. However, neither CMC Markets nor HFM supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade at this time.
CMC Markets distinguishes itself with a wider array of drawing tools, offering 40 in comparison to HFM's 30, which can be pivotal for traders who rely heavily on technical analysis. Additionally, CMC Markets allows for more detailed watch lists with 11 columns available, while HFM offers 7. Both brokers enable chart trading, allowing direct trades from stock charts for a seamless experience. Overall, CMC Markets scores higher in user ratings for trading platforms and tools, earning a perfect 5-star rating compared to HFM's 4 stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where CMC Markets holds the 4th spot out of 62 brokers in the trading platforms and tools category, significantly ahead of HFM's rank at 42.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 79 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and HFM both provide mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer essential functionalities like stock and forex price alerts, drawing trendlines, viewing various time frames on charts, and auto-saving chart drawings. Both brokers also allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a key difference is CMC Markets' feature of watchlist symbol syncing, which allows seamless updates between the mobile app and online accounts—a feature HFM's app currently lacks. When it comes to charting, CMC Markets provides 29 technical studies, slightly fewer than HFM's 30.
In terms of user ratings and rankings, CMC Markets edges out its competitor with a perfect 5-star rating for mobile trading apps, compared to HFM's 4 stars. This distinction is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where CMC Markets is placed at an impressive 5th out of 62 brokers, whereas HFM is ranked 39th. Overall, while both apps are well-equipped for mobile trading, CMC Markets appears to offer a slightly more integrated and user-preferred experience based on these evaluations.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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.
CMC Markets and HFM both deliver daily market commentary and provide forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Both platforms integrate Autochartist tools for technical or fundamental analysis but fall short of offering Trading Central's tools. Additionally, they both feature a sentiment-based trading tool that illustrates the proportion of long and short positions in various instruments, along with an economic calendar that tracks global news events.
Despite these similarities, CMC Markets stands out with a perfect 5-star research rating and ranks 6th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to HFM's 4-star rating and 20th position. Neither broker includes TipRanks market research or Acuity Trading tools in their offerings, emphasizing their focus on other research strengths. CMC Markets' higher rating reflects a more comprehensive research experience for its users.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| 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 of CMC Markets and HFM, beginners will find that both online brokers provide a wealth of resources to help them get started. CMC Markets stands out with a perfect five-star rating for education, while HFM has a respectable four-star rating. Both brokers offer more than ten educational pieces covering forex and CFDs, along with comprehensive video content for both beginner and advanced traders. This means regardless of your experience level, you'll find valuable resources to enhance your trading skills.
However, there are a few distinctions worth noting. HFM offers monthly online educational webinars, which can be extremely beneficial for real-time learning and interaction. In contrast, CMC Markets lacks this feature, providing instead a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, which both brokers offer. On the other hand, CMC Markets has been recognized for its educational excellence, ranking 10th out of 62 brokers in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, compared to HFM's 37th place ranking. This might suggest that CMC Markets provides a slightly more comprehensive or higher-rated learning experience overall.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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 CMC Markets is better than HFM. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both CMC Markets and HFM do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets offers more diverse options for depositing and withdrawing account funds compared to HFM, as it supports ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while HFM accommodates Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks support for both ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal.
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 | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | HFM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill