Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
Plus500 and HFM cater to traders seeking regulated online brokerage services, yet they differ significantly in their trust score and regulatory credentials. Founded in 2008, Plus500 stands as a highly trusted choice with a stellar Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It is also publicly traded, enhancing its transparency. Plus500 supports its credibility with six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. Conversely, HFM, founded in 2010, holds a Trust Score of 86, positioning it in the trusted category. Despite this, HFM is not publicly traded but does hold two Tier-1 and three Tier-2 licenses.
Neither Plus500 nor HFM operates as a bank, which makes understanding their regulatory standings crucial for potential clients. Plus500's extensive licensing and public trading status may appeal to those prioritizing higher trust levels and transparency. HFM, with fewer Tier-1 licenses and no stock exchange presence, might still attract users looking for a trusted platform, albeit with less regulatory reassurance than Plus500. As such, traders should consider these factors when choosing between the two brokerages for their investment needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commission and fee structures of Plus500 and HFM, it's important to note that both brokers have slightly above average trading costs. Plus500, with a star rating of 4.0 out of 5, is ranked 25th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com. Although Plus500 does not offer retail client discounts, it does provide cash rebates for qualified clients designated as Professional traders. For the month of April 2024, Plus500's spread for the EUR/USD averaged 1.5 pips, which is higher than the industry norm.
HFM, with a comparable rating of 4 stars, sits at the 31st position out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees. For standard accounts, HFM typically has a spread of 1.2 pips, though it's worth noting that this doesn't specify a particular date range, so the actual average might differ. Their Zero account offers a more competitive effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission is considered, but this figure isn't given as an average and may vary.
In conclusion, while both brokers offer similar star ratings for commissions and fees, Plus500 edges out HFM in industry ranking. The choice between them could depend on specific trading needs and priorities, particularly concerning account types and available discounts for professional traders.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | 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.
For traders looking to invest in a broad spectrum of options, Plus500 and HFM both offer unique advantages. Plus500 stands out with an impressive selection of 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs, positioning it as a versatile choice for those who value diversity. Additionally, Plus500 provides direct access to U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, allowing investors the benefit of purchasing renowned stocks like Apple and Vodafone. However, it does not support copy trading or the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, though it does offer cryptocurrency derivatives.
In contrast, HFM presents a narrower range of 500 tradeable symbols but excels in the forex market with 102 currency pairs, which surpasses the forex offering at Plus500. While it doesn’t provide direct access to U.S. or international stocks, HFM shines through its copy trading feature, catering to users who prefer to replicate successful portfolios. Similar to Plus500, HFM supports cryptocurrency derivatives but not the direct purchase of cryptocurrencies. Both brokers maintain high standings, with Plus500 rated 4.5 stars and HFM at 4 stars for their range of investments, ranking #24 and #36, respectively, out of 62 reviewed brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 Plus500 and HFM in terms of their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer unique advantages to cater to different types of traders. Plus500 offers a free virtual demo account for simulated trading, just like HFM. Both brokers also provide proprietary platforms developed in-house and support trading through web-based platforms. Plus500 stands out with its platform rating of 4.5 stars, ranking 14th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, making it slightly more favorable than HFM, which holds a 4-star rating and is ranked 41st. Plus500 does not offer MetaTrader, copy trading, or trading directly from stock charts, but it does have 10 fields for watch lists and provides a good selection of 22 drawing tools.
In contrast, HFM offers more platform variety by supporting Windows-based desktop downloads and popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, along with copy trading features. While both brokers do not support social trading platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, HFM provides 30 drawing tools for charting, making it a desirable choice for those who utilize extensive technical analysis. HFM also allows trading directly from stock charts, a feature not available with Plus500. Despite these features, HFM's slightly lower ratings suggest Plus500's platforms are more user-friendly, possibly aligning better with traders seeking straightforward, efficient tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and HFM, both platforms offer iPhone and Android applications, allowing users to trade conveniently on the go. For traders who rely on price alerts, both apps provide notifications for stock and forex prices. Plus500 stands out with its watchlist synchronization feature, ensuring that any changes made on the mobile app are reflected in the user's online account, a feature HFM lacks. In terms of charting capabilities, Plus500 offers a broader range with 110 technical studies compared to HFM's 30. Both apps allow the drawing of trendlines and support viewing multiple time frames, such as daily or intraday, enhancing the trading experience.
However, while HFM's app automatically saves chart drawings, Plus500 does not support this feature. Both platforms allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, catering to traders keen on tracking their preferred stocks or forex pairs. In terms of user ratings, Plus500 edges ahead with a 4.5-star rating compared to HFM's 4 stars and is ranked #14 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps. In contrast, HFM stands at #39. Overall, Plus500 offers a more comprehensive mobile trading experience, particularly for users who prioritize advanced charting tools and seamless account synchronization.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of Plus500 and HFM, both brokers provide daily market commentary, equipping traders with timely insights into financial movements. Although HFM enhances its research capabilities with forex news powered by top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Plus500 counters this with its exclusive use of technical analysis tools from Trading Central. Both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools, delivering valuable long and short position ratios to help traders gauge market trends.
In terms of research resources, neither Plus500 nor HFM features tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. However, both platforms offer an economic calendar that highlights significant global news events, helping traders stay abreast of economic developments. Plus500 slightly edges out HFM in research with a 4.0-star rating from ForexBrokers.com, ranking 19th out of 62 brokers, while HFM holds the 20th position with the same 4-star rating. This comparison showcases the strengths and unique offerings of each broker, providing traders with clear insights to help them choose the right platform for their market research needs.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Plus500 and HFM offer a range of options that cater to novice traders. Plus500 provides more than ten educational pieces on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host regular educational webinars and maintain a searchable archive, enhancing accessibility for users wishing to revisit past sessions. Additionally, Plus500 boasts a diverse selection of both beginner and advanced educational videos designed to bolster trading knowledge, making it a comprehensive choice for newcomers looking to build foundational skills. Despite its lack of an investor dictionary, Plus500 earns a commendable education rating of 4.0 stars, securing the 31st spot among 62 brokers ranked by ForexBrokers.com.
Similarly, HFM commits to educating beginner traders with an impressive collection of more than ten educational materials focused on forex and CFDs. They sustain a monthly schedule of webinars and offer the convenience of a searchable archive, allowing traders to fine-tune their skills at their own pace. HFM also provides at least ten beginner educational videos along with a range of advanced videos for seasoned traders seeking more intricate insights. An added advantage is their investor dictionary, featuring over 50 investing terms, which can be particularly helpful for beginners striving to understand industry jargon. HFM matches Plus500 with a 4-star educational rating and is ranked 37th by ForexBrokers.com in their Education category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than HFM. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Plus500 and HFM do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Plus500 and HFM both support Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but only Plus500 offers PayPal, while neither broker supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $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 | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | 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 | 110 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | HFM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill