Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs IUX, 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.
HFM and IUX are online brokers with different backgrounds. HFM was founded in 2010, while IUX began in 2016. Neither company is publicly traded, and neither operates as a bank.
In terms of regulation and trust, HFM holds 2 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 3 Tier-2 licenses (trusted), earning a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 85/99, which places it in the trusted range. IUX holds 1 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 license and scores 76/99, which is considered average risk. If regulatory standing and third-party trust are priorities, HFM ranks higher, while IUX has fewer top-tier licenses and a lower score.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, both HFM and IUX land in the middle-to-upper range, but IUX comes out slightly ahead. HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked #28 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com. Its pricing is a bit above the industry average overall, with the company noting a typical 1.2-pip spread on standard accounts and an effective 0.7-pip spread on its Zero account after commission. Since these figures are not tied to a clear average date range, actual trading costs may be higher. IUX is rated 4.5 stars and ranked #19 out of 36, giving it the better score of the two.
IUX keeps its fees flexible depending on the account type. The Standard and Standard+ accounts need only a $10 minimum deposit, with Standard+ offering deposit bonuses but wider spreads, while the regular Standard account keeps spreads lower and skips the bonus offers. For traders who want lower pricing, the Raw and Pro accounts require a $500 minimum deposit. The Raw account charges a $6 commission per 100,000 units and advertises the tightest spreads, while the Pro account is commission-free and offers lower spreads than the standard accounts.
In simple terms, HFM is straightforward but not especially cheap, while IUX offers more account choices and can be more cost-effective for active traders. HFM may appeal to traders who want a familiar standard or zero-spread setup, but IUX has the edge on overall commissions and fees thanks to its lower-rated costs and better ranking. If pricing is a top priority, IUX is the stronger choice between the two.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.8 | 0.86 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | 0.6 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, HFM gives traders more choice overall than IUX. HFM lists 344 tradeable symbols and 38 forex pairs, compared with IUX’s 152 symbols and 34 forex pairs. Both brokers offer forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and both support cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets clients buy actual crypto. Neither broker offers U.S.-listed exchange traded securities, such as Apple shares bought directly.
There are a few key differences beyond that. IUX offers exchange traded securities on international exchanges, while HFM does not. HFM also includes copy trading, which IUX does not. Based on ForexBrokers.com, HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked #28 out of 36 for range of investments, while IUX is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #35, making HFM the stronger pick for investors who want a wider selection.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 152 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 34 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
HFM and IUX both give traders a lot of the basics they may want in a platform setup. Each one offers a free demo account for practice, a desktop download for Windows, a web-based platform, and its own in-house trading platform. Both also support MetaTrader 5 and let users place trades directly from a chart, which can make trading quicker and easier.
Where HFM pulls ahead is in its extra platform choices and tools. It supports MetaTrader 4 and copy trading, while IUX does not offer either one. That gives HFM more flexibility for traders who want familiar software or the option to follow other traders. These differences help explain why HFM is rated higher for Trading Platforms and Tools, with 4 out of 5 stars and a #33 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with IUX’s 3.5 stars and #35 ranking.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 38 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and IUX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, so either broker gives traders a way to manage accounts on the go. HFM has an edge for simple trading tools and alerts, since its app includes stock and forex price alerts and lets users draw trendlines on charts. It also auto-saves drawings, which can make chart work easier to keep track of. However, HFM does not offer watchlist syncing between its mobile app and online account, and its app only includes 5 technical studies.
IUX also offers iPhone and Android apps, but its mobile experience is more mixed. It does not offer price alerts or trendline drawing in the app, and it also does not sync watchlists with the online account. On the other hand, IUX provides a much larger set of charting tools, with 106 technical studies. In overall mobile app ratings, HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #32 out of 36 brokers, while IUX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #35, giving HFM the stronger mobile trading app overall.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 5 | 106 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, HFM gives traders more to work with than IUX. HFM offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Autochartist tools, sentiment data showing long and short positions, and research from Acuity Trading. It also includes an economic calendar. IUX offers an economic calendar too, but it does not provide daily commentary, top-tier news, Autochartist, sentiment tools, or Acuity Trading research.
That broader research lineup helps explain the difference in ratings and rankings. HFM earns 4 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #18 out of 36 brokers, while IUX gets 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #35. For traders who want more news, signals, and market insight in one place, HFM is the stronger option for research.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing HFM and IUX for beginner-friendly learning tools, HFM comes out ahead overall. HFM offers monthly educational webinars, at least 10 beginner trading videos, and also at least 10 advanced videos for traders who want to keep learning. It is rated 4 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #29 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, which points to a wider range of learning support for new traders who want more guidance as they grow.
IUX also gives beginners a useful starting point, with at least 10 beginner educational videos available. However, it does not offer monthly educational webinars, and it does not match HFM on advanced video content for more experienced users. IUX is rated 3 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #35 out of 36, so while it can help newcomers get started, HFM is the stronger choice for traders looking for more educational content and a better overall learning experience.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that HFM is better than IUX. HFM finished with an overall rank of #27, while IUX finished with an overall rank of #35.
HFM (HF Markets) is a global broker best known for its MetaTrader offering, solid research tools, and proprietary copy trading platform, alongside a broad selection of forex pairs and CFDs.
| Feature |
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IUX
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| Trust Score | 85 | 76 |
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In the HFM vs IUX comparison for cryptocurrency trading, neither online broker lets you buy actual delivered crypto, but both allow you to trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
Online brokers HFM and IUX compared: neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits/withdrawals, both support Skrill and bank wire transfers, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | HFM | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | IUX | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 85 | 76 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 152 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 34 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). |
| Cost | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.8 | 0.86 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | 0.6 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 38 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 5 | 106 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
| Overall | HFM | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
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