Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets 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 comparing online brokers ThinkMarkets and HFM, both established in 2010, regulatory information plays an important role in assessing their trustworthiness. Neither company is publicly traded, nor are they banks, which is common among many online brokers. ThinkMarkets stands out with a higher Trust Score of 92 as rated by ForexBrokers.com, landing it in the 'highly trusted' category. This is bolstered by its possession of 5 Tier-1 licenses, which are considered top-tier regulatory approvals. In contrast, HFM holds a Trust Score of 86, categorizing it as 'trusted', with 2 Tier-1 licenses. Both brokers' credibility is further supported by their respective holdings of Tier-2 licenses, with ThinkMarkets having 2 and HFM having 3, ensuring a solid level of regulation.
With the regulatory landscape being a significant factor for traders, ThinkMarkets may appeal to those seeking a broker with higher levels of regulatory trust due to its greater number of Tier-1 licenses and superior Trust Score. Meanwhile, HFM still represents a trusted choice with a respectable regulatory foundation, backed by its Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers provide strong regulatory oversight, making them viable options for traders worldwide, although ThinkMarkets has a slight edge in terms of regulatory reputation.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers ThinkMarkets and HFM, both receive a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars. However, their ranking in this category differs, with ThinkMarkets positioned at #48 and HFM at #31 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
While average spread data is not detailed for ThinkMarkets, the broker maintains a competitive fee structure that makes it a popular choice for many traders. This flexibility contributes to their favorable 4-star rating, signifying a cost-effective option for trading activities without specific spread details.
HFM, on the other hand, is noted for trading costs that are slightly above the industry average. For standard accounts, a spread of 1.2 pips is typical, although this does not reflect an average spread over a set period. The Zero account offers a more attractive deal with an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, although this too isn't averaged over time. Despite these factors, HFM is ranked higher than ThinkMarkets, which suggests a more favorable perception of their fee transparency or structure by industry analysts.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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 considering ThinkMarkets and HFM for online investment opportunities, both brokers provide a platform for forex trading via CFDs. ThinkMarkets stands out with an impressive array of 4,000 tradeable symbols, while HFM offers a more concentrated selection of 500. For forex enthusiasts, HFM leads with 102 available currency pairs compared to ThinkMarkets' 46. However, investors looking to access international markets will find ThinkMarkets appealing as it allows purchasing exchange-traded securities outside the U.S., unlike HFM.
Both brokers facilitate copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of broader investment coverage, ThinkMarkets boasts a 4.5-star rating for its range of investments, earning a commendable 21st place out of 62 firms on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, HFM is rated at 4 stars, ranking 36th in the same category. This comparison highlights ThinkMarkets as a strong contender for those seeking diverse investment options and access to international securities.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 102 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
When comparing ThinkMarkets and HFM, both brokers provide comprehensive trading platforms and tools that cater to various trader needs. Both offer simulated (paper) trading via virtual demo accounts and have developed their proprietary platforms. For those who prefer versatility, both companies support Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms accessible through a browser. Traders at these firms have access to popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ensuring a familiar trading experience. However, neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, which might be a consideration for those specifically interested in these tools.
In terms of charting features and customization, HFM stands out with 30 drawing tools compared to ThinkMarkets' 15, though both enable trading directly from stock charts. ThinkMarkets offers a more detailed watchlist with 15 columns, while HFM provides 7. Despite these differences, both brokers receive a commendable four-star rating for trading platforms and tools, according to ForexBrokers.com. Notably, ThinkMarkets outpaces HFM in this category, ranking 28th out of 62 brokers, compared to HFM's 42nd place, reflecting a slightly higher level of customer satisfaction and tool variety. Ultimately, the choice between these brokers may come down to specific feature preferences, given their strong foundations in trading support.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
ThinkMarkets and HFM both offer mobile apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Each app provides stock and forex price alerts, real-time quotes, the ability to draw trendlines, and view multiple time frames on charts, ensuring traders have essential tools on the go. However, where ThinkMarkets stands out is its availability of 94 technical studies for charting within the app, compared to HFM’s 30. Both platforms allow for auto-saving of chart drawings, but neither supports watchlist symbol syncing with online accounts. This lack of syncing means you'll need to update your watchlists separately on mobile and desktop versions, which may be something to consider based on your workflow.
Rated four out of five stars for mobile trading apps, both ThinkMarkets and HFM have their strengths. ThinkMarkets holds an edge in rankings by being 20th out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps according to ForexBrokers.com, while HFM ranks at 39th. This difference reflects ThinkMarkets' wider range of charting tools, which may appeal to those seeking detailed technical analysis capabilities. The choice between these two may ultimately come down to how important those additional tools are for your mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | 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.
ThinkMarkets and HFM both provide valuable resources for traders seeking insights into market trends. Each broker offers daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Traders utilizing ThinkMarkets benefit from a sentiment-based trading tool that presents data on long and short positions, along with research tools from Acuity Trading, such as the Signal Centre. Conversely, HFM does not include Acuity Trading tools but does offer technical analysis through Autochartist, providing a different angle for market evaluation.
For traders interested in keeping track of global economic events, both brokers provide economic calendars to help inform trading decisions. However, HFM edges ahead in overall research offerings, scoring 4 out of 5 stars and ranking 20th in research by ForexBrokers.com, compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5-star rating and 50th place ranking. Despite these differences, each platform has unique strengths, catering to various trader preferences for navigating the financial markets.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
ThinkMarkets and HFM both offer comprehensive educational resources for individuals new to forex and CFD trading. Both brokerages provide more than ten educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars, delivering foundational knowledge on trading. Each platform hosts regular monthly webinars to support continuous learning, along with a searchable archive of past sessions. Beginner traders will find a variety of introductory videos tailored to their needs, while more experienced traders can explore advanced educational content available on both platforms. Additionally, they feature investor dictionaries that explain over 50 trading terms, aiding in the understanding of complex terminology.
Despite these similar offerings, there are slight differences in the experience and resources provided by the two brokers. HFM is rated slightly higher with a 4-star education rating compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars. This difference is further reflected in their rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where HFM is positioned at #37 out of 62 brokers, while ThinkMarkets stands at #52. Overall, both platforms offer valuable educational resources, but HFM appears to be perceived as slightly more effective in supporting trading education for beginners.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 ThinkMarkets is better than HFM. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while HFM finished with an overall rank of #30.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
HFM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 86 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and HFM do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
ThinkMarkets and HFM both facilitate seamless transactions through Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, yet neither broker supports transactions via ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal.
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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2 of 5| Overall Rating | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
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| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | 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 | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | 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) | No | 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) | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 102 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $0 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ThinkMarkets | 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 | 94 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | HFM Review |
| Overall | ThinkMarkets | HFM | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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