Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Spreadex, 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.
Comparing online brokers HFM and Spreadex, both firms offer trading services without being publicly traded or classified as banks. Founded in 2010, HFM holds two Tier-1 licenses, a number indicating a solid track record of regulatory compliance in top financial jurisdictions, along with three Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 86 from ForexBrokers.com, HFM is considered a trusted choice for traders seeking a reliable platform.
On the other hand, Spreadex, established in 1999, holds one Tier-1 license and lacks Tier-2 licenses, placing it on a different regulatory standing compared to HFM. With a Trust Score of 71, Spreadex is viewed as having an average risk, according to ForexBrokers.com's rating system. The differences in licensing and trust scores reflect their varying levels of regulatory oversight and perceived trust in the trading community.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1999 |
| 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 online brokers HFM and Spreadex based on their commissions and fees, both maintain a competitive edge, though each has its unique pricing model. HFM charges slightly above the industry average trading costs with their standard trading accounts offering a typical spread of 1.2 pips, although this figure might vary as it's not provided as an average. Their Zero account offers tighter spreads, effectively reducing costs to 0.7 pips post-commission, yet this too is not presented as a typical average.
On the other hand, Spreadex offers a more defined structure for their fees, specifically for EUR/USD trades. In January 2024, Spreadex recorded average spreads of 0.81 pips, with a significant 60% of trades achieving a minimum spread of 0.6 pips throughout the month. This transparent approach might be more appealing to traders seeking consistency in costs.
In terms of ratings, both HFM and Spreadex are awarded 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. However, when looking at their rankings among 62 brokers rated by ForexBrokers.com, Spreadex holds a slightly better position, being ranked #27 compared to HFM's #31. Both brokers offer solid options for traders, but with slight distinctions that may cater to different trading preferences and priorities.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 0.81 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments available from HFM and Spreadex, you'll find some distinct differences. HFM offers a total of 500 tradable symbols, significantly fewer than Spreadex's impressive 10,000 symbols. However, in the realm of forex trading, HFM provides access to 102 currency pairs, outpacing Spreadex, which supports 52 pairs. Both brokers allow forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, although neither offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies nor exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets like buying Apple or Vodafone shares directly. A notable difference is that HFM offers copy trading, providing users the ability to follow and replicate successful trading strategies, an option Spreadex does not have. Additionally, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives without providing the actual digital currencies.
Looking at ratings and rankings, Spreadex edges ahead with a 5-star rating for its range of investments, while HFM earns 4 stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where HFM is positioned at #36 among 62 brokers, whereas Spreadex stands at an impressive #13. This suggests that those seeking a broader array of investment opportunities might favor Spreadex, while those more focused on forex trades could find HFM's offerings more suitable.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 52 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing HFM and Spreadex for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer the opportunity to practice trading with a free virtual demo account. They also each provide a proprietary platform that is developed in-house, ensuring a unique trading experience. HFM sets itself apart with its Windows-based desktop download trading platform, in addition to offering both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely recognized trading platforms for investors seeking advanced tools. On the other hand, Spreadex does not provide these MetaTrader platforms but ensures a solid experience with their web-based platform. Notably, HFM supports copy trading, an appealing feature for traders who wish to mimic the trades of experienced investors, while Spreadex does not offer this option.
In terms of charting tools, HFM provides traders with 30 drawing tools, while Spreadex offers 11. Both brokers allow users to place trades directly from stock charts, enhancing the trading experience. When it comes to watch lists, Spreadex slightly edges out HFM with 8 available columns compared to HFM's 7. Both brokers are equally rated with 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, reflecting their quality offerings. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, HFM ranks slightly higher at #42 out of 62 brokers, in contrast to Spreadex's #46 ranking, showing a marginal edge in the comparative analysis of trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 58 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 11 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of HFM and Spreadex, both brokers provide accessible platforms for iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders can monitor the markets on the go. Both apps offer essential features like stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and viewing various time frames, such as daily or weekly intervals. However, when it comes to charting capabilities, HFM stands out by offering 30 technical studies, whereas Spreadex does not provide this information. Additionally, HFM's app automatically saves chart drawings, a feature that Spreadex's app lacks, potentially offering a more seamless experience for traders regularly relying on detailed chart analysis.
While neither mobile app supports syncing watchlist symbols between the app and the client's online account, both allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, helping traders stay informed. Despite these similarities and differences, both HFM and Spreadex are rated four stars for their mobile trading capacities. HFM is ranked #39 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Spreadex is positioned slightly lower at #46. Whether you prioritize charting tools or other app functionalities, both platforms offer competent solutions for traders, though HFM might be more appealing to those who utilize advanced technical analysis.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing HFM and Spreadex in terms of market research features, both platforms stand out for offering essential tools and news to keep traders informed. Each broker provides daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. They also support valuable technical analysis tools from Autochartist, complemented by sentiment-based trading tools, allowing users to gauge long and short positions on various instruments. Additionally, both brokers provide an economic calendar to track significant global news events, making it easier for traders to make informed decisions.
Despite having similar offerings, HFM edges out slightly in the rankings, securing the 20th spot among 62 brokers in the Research category on ForexBrokers.com, while Spreadex is ranked 31st. Both brokers receive a solid four-star rating for their research capabilities, though neither includes tools from Trading Central or market research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading. These platforms offer a comprehensive suite of resources, making them viable options for traders seeking a well-rounded research experience.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 HFM and Spreadex, both brokers provide a strong foundation for beginners interested in forex and CFDs. Each platform features more than 10 educational materials, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, HFM distinguishes itself by hosting online educational webinars each month and providing a searchable archive of these sessions for future learning. Spreadex, on the other hand, does not offer such live online webinars or an archive of past sessions.
Both HFM and Spreadex offer a wealth of educational videos for newcomers, with each broker featuring over 10 beginner-focused videos. HFM expands its educational reach by offering advanced content for seasoned traders, whereas Spreadex does not match this level of detail. Additionally, both brokers provide an investor dictionary with over 50 terms. Despite these resources, the overall ratings for education are equal at four stars. However, HFM ranks higher at #37 compared to Spreadex's #45, based on evaluations by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 HFM is better than Spreadex. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Spreadex finished with an overall rank of #39.
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
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Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 71 |
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Both HFM and Spreadex do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing HFM and Spreadex, both online brokers do not support ACH or SEPA transfers nor PayPal for deposits or withdrawals; however, HFM does support Skrill, unlike Spreadex, and both offer Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire 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 | HFM | Spreadex | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Spreadex Review |
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| Regulation | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1999 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 52 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 0.81 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 58 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 11 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Spreadex Review |
| Overall | HFM | Spreadex | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Spreadex Review |
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