Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote 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 it comes to choosing an online broker, Swissquote and HFM offer distinct features and regulatory standings that can influence your decision. Founded in 1996, Swissquote is a publicly traded company and operates as a bank, offering a substantial sense of stability and trust. With a Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote is considered highly trusted, with five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses under its belt. This makes Swissquote an attractive option for those prioritizing safety and regulation in their trading experience.
In comparison, HFM was established in 2010 and is not publicly listed or a bank, which might appeal to traders looking for slightly different operational dynamics. HFM holds a Trust Score of 86, rating it as trusted, and possesses two Tier-1 licenses along with three Tier-2 licenses. While slightly younger and less licensed than Swissquote, HFM still maintains a commendable reputation, offering a reliable option for traders who prioritize trust but might not require the added layers of regulation that come with a bank-backed institution.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing the commission and fee structures of Swissquote and HFM, both brokers reveal distinct cost characteristics. Swissquote's trading costs, while competitive, are not its most attractive feature, earning it a 3.5-star rating for commissions and fees. It ranks #52 out of 62 brokers, largely due to its premium pricing associated with being a Swiss banking entity. Swissquote offers different costs depending on the location of the account. In the U.K., traders can choose from four accounts, with the Elite account charging a $5 commission per round-trip trade and offering lower spreads for active traders who deposit at least $10,000. Meanwhile, the Luxembourg branch provides similar spreads with account minimums ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, and the Swiss branch requires deposits starting at $1,000 for its Standard forex account.
On the other hand, HFM achieves a higher 4-star rating and is ranked #31 for its commissions and fees. Although HFM's general trading costs are slightly above the industry average, with a conventional spread of 1.2 pips on standard accounts, it offers a more competitive Zero account, featuring an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission. However, it's important to note that these spreads are not averages, and actual trading costs can vary.
In summary, while Swissquote offers the allure of Swiss banking with varied options across its regional entities, its prices require consideration due to higher minimum deposit requirements and less competitive spreads. HFM, though a bit above the average in overall costs, provides reasonable alternatives with potentially lower effective spreads, catering to traders who prioritize cost efficiency in their forex trading endeavors.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
When evaluating the range of investments available, Swissquote and HFM both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. Swissquote provides access to 472 tradeable symbols, including 80 forex pairs, whereas HFM offers a slightly broader selection with 500 symbols and 102 forex pairs. However, Swissquote stands out by enabling investors to buy exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, offering opportunities to purchase well-known stocks like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, HFM does not offer direct access to such exchange-traded securities. Both brokers do support copy trading, yet when it comes to cryptocurrency options, Swissquote allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, while HFM limits clients to cryptocurrency derivatives.
Given these offerings, Swissquote earns a 5-star rating for its range of investments and holds the rank of #2 out of 62 brokers, highlighting its expansive investment options. On the other hand, HFM, with its 4-star rating and rank of #36, may appeal to those focused on forex trading but might not fully meet the needs of investors seeking broader market access, especially with regard to physical and international assets.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 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) | Yes | 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.
Swissquote and HFM both offer a wide range of options for online trading that cater to various levels of traders. Both brokers provide demo accounts for practice trading, making it easy for beginners to familiarize themselves with the platforms. Each offers in-house developed platforms and supports popular trading software like MetaTrader 4 and 5. Users of Swissquote and HFM can access trading through Windows desktop apps and web-based platforms, ensuring flexibility in where and how they trade. Copy trading is available on both platforms, which allows traders to mimic the strategies of more experienced investors.
When it comes to specific tools and features, Swissquote has a slight edge, providing 75 drawing tools for charting compared to HFM's 30. Swissquote also offers more customizable options in watch lists with 11 columns, over HFM’s 7 columns. Both brokers enable direct trading from stock charts. In terms of ratings, Swissquote scores a commendable 4.5 out of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, higher than HFM's 4 stars. Swissquote is ranked #12 by ForexBrokers.com in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, whereas HFM stands at #42 out of 62 brokers, reflecting Swissquote's superior platform and tool offerings.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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) | 86 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Swissquote and HFM offer trading apps for iPhone and Android, catering to the needs of modern traders on the go. Users of both platforms will find comprehensive features including stock and forex price alerts, the capacity to draw trendlines on charts, and the ability to view different time frames such as daily, weekly, or intraday. Additionally, each app supports the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring users stay updated with the latest market trends. However, neither app currently supports syncing of watchlists across different platforms, which could be a consideration for those who frequently switch between devices.
When it comes to technical studies available in the mobile apps, both Swissquote and HFM offer 30 options, enabling users to conduct thorough analysis directly from their mobile devices. Importantly, any drawings made on charts are automatically saved by both apps, adding convenience to the charting experience. While both platforms boast feature-rich apps, Swissquote edges out slightly with a 4.5-star rating compared to HFM's 4-star rating for mobile trading. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote is placed at #11 among 62 brokers, while HFM is at #39, reflecting a more favorable reception for Swissquote’s mobile offering.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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.
When comparing online brokers Swissquote and HFM for their market research offerings, you'll find that both provide a comprehensive set of tools and resources. They both offer daily market commentary and forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring traders have access to the latest market developments. Additionally, both brokers integrate Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis, though neither offers tools from Trading Central or Acuity Trading. Each platform provides an economic calendar to keep traders informed of important events, but HFM stands out by offering a sentiment-based trading tool that Swissquote does not.
In terms of research quality, Swissquote and HFM both receive a solid 4-star rating for their offerings. According to ForexBrokers.com, Swissquote ranks slightly higher at #16 among 62 brokers, compared to HFM's ranking at #20. This slight edge may be attributed to Swissquote's particular strengths in other areas of their research capabilities, but overall, both brokers provide valuable resources to support traders in navigating the financial markets.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 | No | 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 Swissquote and HFM provide a strong foundation for those seeking to learn about forex and CFDs trading. Each broker offers over 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, covering essential topics in forex and CFDs trading. Furthermore, both Swissquote and HFM host online educational webinars for their clients at least once a month, along with maintaining a searchable archive of these webinars for later review. Their commitment to education is also reflected in their video libraries, where they each supply over 10 beginner-focused videos, alongside advanced trading videos for more seasoned traders.
In addition to multimedia resources, both Swissquote and HFM enhance their educational offerings with dictionaries of over 50 investing terms, aiding beginners in understanding technical jargon. Despite these similarities, Swissquote narrowly edges out HFM in its ranking with ForexBrokers.com, securing the 21st spot compared to HFM's 37th position in the Education category among 62 brokers. Both brokers share a commendable four-star rating for their educational resources. This suggests that while both are highly capable in empowering novice traders through education, users might find Swissquote slightly better positioned in the broader broker education landscape.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Swissquote is better than HFM. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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Swissquote and HFM both offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but only Swissquote provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers, Swissquote provides more flexibility with ACH, SEPA, and PayPal as options for depositing or withdrawing funds, while HFM lacks these options but matches Swissquote in supporting Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Swissquote | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | HFM | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | 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 | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 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) | Yes | 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 | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review | HFM Review |
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