Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Earn, 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.
Established in 2010, HFM holds a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, indicating a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. Despite not being a publicly traded company or a bank, HFM is regarded as reliable, carrying two Tier-1 licenses considered highly trusted and three Tier-2 licenses considered trusted. This positions HFM as a solid choice for those looking for a dependable online broker.
Earn, founded in 1994, carries a Trust Score of 71, placing it at an average risk level on ForexBrokers.com’s scale. Although not listed on a stock exchange or a bank, Earn maintains one highly trusted Tier-1 license. However, it lacks Tier-2 licenses, which are often viewed as a favorable indicator of trust. When comparing both, HFM appears to provide a more reassuring credential profile for potential investors seeking assurance in their brokerage services.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1994 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers HFM and Earn, both receive similar ratings but differ in their offerings. HFM has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, placing it in the middle tier for cost-effectiveness. While HFM's standard trading accounts typically feature a 1.2 pip spread, it's slightly above the industry average. However, the lack of a specified date range makes it difficult to determine if this is consistent over time. For its Zero account, HFM offers an effective spread of 0.7 pips post-commission, although this also may not be representative of the average trading condition.
Earn also garners a 4 out of 5 stars rating for commissions and fees. However, potential clients face a disadvantage as there is no average spread data available, making it challenging to compare its offerings directly with other brokers. Without this crucial information, traders may find it difficult to assess Earn's cost-efficiency accurately.
In the Commissions and Fees category, ForexBrokers.com ranks HFM at #31 out of 62, suggesting a competent but not outstanding fee structure. Meanwhile, Earn is positioned lower at #46, indicating that it might not be as competitive in terms of commissions and fees compared to other brokers in the industry.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| 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 comparing HFM to Earn in terms of the range of investments, both brokers offer a comparable selection with 500 tradeable symbols each. If you're interested in forex trading, however, HFM might catch your eye with 102 forex pairs, while Earn provides 61. Both platforms offer the ability to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, alongside cryptocurrency derivatives. Yet, neither allows clients to buy exchange-traded securities like Apple or Vodafone shares directly on U.S. or international markets, and neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
For those looking into copy trading, both HFM and Earn have options available. Despite offering similar features, HFM is rated slightly higher with a 4-star investment range compared to Earn's 3.5 stars. On the ForexBrokers.com list of 62 brokers, HFM ranks at 36 for investment range, while Earn is positioned at 45. This suggests that while both brokers have similar offerings, HFM might offer a bit more depth for those seeking broader forex options.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
HFM and Earn both provide dynamic trading experiences with a range of tools and platforms. Both brokers offer simulated trading with a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice before committing real funds. While both have web-based and Windows desktop platforms, HFM takes the lead with its proprietary platform developed in-house, giving users a tailored trading experience. Earn relies on third-party solutions but maintains a competitive edge with the inclusion of ZuluTrade for social trading enthusiasts. MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are available at both brokers, providing comprehensive trading capabilities across various devices. Additionally, both platforms support copy trading, catering to traders looking to mirror experienced investors' strategies.
When it comes to charting tools, HFM stands out by offering 30 drawing tools, doubling Earn's set of 15, although technical indicators remain unspecified for both. Trading directly from stock charts is possible with both brokers, streamlining the execution process. Their watch list features are also evenly matched with seven fields each. While both brokers are rated four stars out of five for trading platforms and tools, HFM is more favorably ranked at 42nd out of 62 brokers compared to Earn's 51st place, according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests a slightly more favorable perception of HFM in terms of trading platforms and tools within the industry.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 35 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of HFM and Earn, users will find both brokers offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. The apps from HFM and Earn provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. However, neither offers watchlist symbol syncing, which means users will need to manually update changes across devices. In terms of technical studies, Earn slightly edges out with 35 options, compared to HFM's 30. Both brokers enable viewing multiple timeframes and auto-save chart drawings, which adds convenience for active traders.
Real-time watchlists are a standard feature across both platforms. When it comes to ratings, both apps score equally with four out of five stars in mobile trading app reviews. However, if rankings are considered, Earn stands out, placing 26th in ForexBrokers.com's list of 62 brokers, whereas HFM ranks 39th. This insight can be crucial for traders prioritizing rank and features when choosing between these platforms for mobile trading.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 |
| 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 it comes to market research, both HFM and Earn provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring that traders have access to timely insights. However, HFM takes a step further by offering specialized tools like Autochartist, which can give traders a competitive edge in technical analysis. While Earn lacks this tool, both brokers unfortunately do not offer resources from Trading Central or market research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading.
HFM also distinguishes itself with a sentiment-based trading tool, allowing users to view the ratio of long and short positions across different instruments, a feature that Earn does not provide. Both brokers do offer an economic calendar to keep track of key global economic events. In terms of research rating, HFM scores 4 stars and ranks #20 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Earn receives a 3.5-star rating, positioning it at #38. This difference highlights HFM's slightly broader research offerings and expert analysis tools.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners offered by the online brokers HFM and Earn, HFM clearly stands out with a wide array of learning materials. HFM provides over 10 educational resources focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host regular monthly webinars for clients and maintain an accessible archive of past recordings. Moreover, HFM offers more than 10 beginner-friendly videos dedicated to trading topics to help novices get started, alongside advanced educational content for seasoned traders. Furthermore, their comprehensive investor dictionary includes definitions for over 50 investing terms, making it easier for traders to get acquainted with complex concepts.
In contrast, Earn falls short in equipping beginners with educational resources. Unlike HFM, Earn does not provide a diverse collection of educational materials or organize regular webinars, nor do they have an archived selection of previous educational sessions. Additionally, Earn lacks adequate video content tailored for both beginners and advanced learners in trading. Without a substantial investor dictionary, traders may find it challenging to quickly grasp vital terminology. These disparities in educational offerings are reflected in their ratings, with HFM earning 4 stars compared to Earn's 3.5 stars for education. Consequently, HFM holds the #37 spot among 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's education category, while Earn ranks much lower at #61.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Earn. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
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
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 86 | 71 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both HFM and Earn allow users to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies for delivery.
Both online brokers, HFM and Earn, do not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transactions for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they do offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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) | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 35 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | HFM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill