Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs Trade Nation, 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.
Both HFM and Trade Nation are trustworthy online brokers, offering competitive services to their users. HFM, founded in 2010, and Trade Nation, established in 2014, are not publicly traded companies nor banks, ensuring their primary focus remains on providing reliable trading experiences. Each broker boasts two Tier-1 licenses, which signifies a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. In terms of slightly lower-tiered credibility, HFM holds three Tier-2 licenses compared to Trade Nation's single Tier-2 license.
Regarding trust scores, HFM is rated at 86 out of 99, while Trade Nation slightly trails with a score of 85. These scores place both brokers in the 'trusted' category, with only a minor difference in their ratings. This suggests that both companies are solid choices for traders who prioritize security and regulatory compliance.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
When comparing the online brokers HFM and Trade Nation based on their commissions and fees, differences in their pricing structures become apparent. HFM's trading costs are slightly above the industry average. For standard trading accounts, HFM lists a typical spread of 1.2 pips, but since no date range is specified, the average spread might be higher. Their Zero account features an effective spread of 0.7 pips after including commissions, yet this figure does not represent an average.
Trade Nation, on the other hand, provides competitive fixed-spread pricing across all tradable symbols on its proprietary platform, alongside variable-spread pricing on its MetaTrader platform. Most brokers offer variable pricing, but Trade Nation maintains a consistent spread distance as prices are updated. This setup allows Trade Nation's fixed spreads to reflect an average price, except during a daily rollover period when spreads can temporarily widen. Notably, the fixed spread for the EUR/USD pair is listed at 0.6 pips, though it can widen to 1.4 pips during rollover, making the true average closer to 1 pip. Trade Nation offers three main account types, with the TN Trader account generally offering the lowest spreads when considering all-in costs.
In terms of ratings, HFM has been awarded 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking #31 out of 62 brokers per ForexBrokers.com. Trade Nation, however, stands out with a 5-star rating, securing the #7 spot on the same list. This highlights Trade Nation's strong position in offering competitive pricing and transparent fee structures.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 0.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | 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 comparing the range of investments between HFM and Trade Nation, you'll find some distinct differences and similarities. Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs, providing flexibility for traders entering the currency markets. HFM provides an extensive selection of 102 tradeable forex pairs, surpassing Trade Nation, which offers 46 pairs. However, Trade Nation compensates by offering a larger overall number of tradeable symbols, boasting a total of 1000 compared to HFM's 500. Both brokers do not provide exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, such as shares from major companies like Apple or Vodafone.
In terms of advanced trading options, both HFM and Trade Nation support copy trading, allowing users to mimic successful trading strategies. Additionally, neither platform offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, although they both provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives. When it comes to rankings, HFM receives a slightly higher star rating of 4 stars for its range of investments, compared to Trade Nation's 3.5 stars. Furthermore, HFM is ranked 36th out of 62 brokers in this category by ForexBrokers.com, while Trade Nation sits at 38th, reflecting their nuanced differences in offerings.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 the trading platforms and tools of HFM and Trade Nation, both online brokers offer a variety of features tailored to cater to different trader needs. Each broker provides simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice and hone their skills without financial risk. Furthermore, HFM and Trade Nation offer proprietary platforms developed in-house, ensuring a seamless and personalized trading experience. Both brokers are accessible on Windows desktop and web-based platforms while supporting MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for those who favor this popular choice. However, HFM stands out by also offering MetaTrader 5 (MT5), providing users access to its enhanced features. Additionally, both brokers facilitate copy trading, though neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade integration.
In terms of charting tools, HFM offers 30 drawing tools compared to Trade Nation's 39, but only HFM allows trading directly from stock charts. Watch list flexibility differs as well, with HFM providing seven customizable columns and Trade Nation offering 14. Despite these differences, both brokers have achieved a solid rating of four stars out of five for their trading platforms and tools. However, when it comes to ranking among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, HFM takes the 42nd position, slightly ahead of Trade Nation, which is ranked 45th.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 39 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 14 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both HFM and Trade Nation offer comprehensive mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android devices, making them accessible to a wide range of users. Traders with either app can set up stock or forex price alerts and create real-time watchlists, ensuring they stay informed about market changes. Both platforms also allow drawing trendlines on charts and viewing various time frames, whether daily, weekly, or intraday. For those who like to customize their charts, HFM provides 30 technical studies, while Trade Nation offers a wider array with 99 technical studies. Additionally, both apps automatically save chart drawings, a handy feature for those who frequently track price movements.
Trade Nation stands out in watchlist management, with a syncing capability that updates watchlists across both mobile and online accounts, a feature HFM does not offer. Despite this advantage, both brokers share a similar consumer satisfaction level with each receiving a 4-star rating. HFM, however, ranks slightly higher at 39th position compared to Trade Nation’s 45th in ForexBrokers.com’s evaluation among 62 brokers in the mobile trading apps category. Both apps are equipped with essential trading tools, but the choice might come down to user preference, especially regarding charting capabilities and account syncing features.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 99 |
| 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 it comes to market research, both HFM and Trade Nation deliver daily market commentary and provide forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, a key difference lies in their technical analysis offerings. HFM offers tools from Autochartist, aiding traders with technical and fundamental research, whereas Trade Nation does not provide these resources. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools, displaying a ratio of long and short positions across various instruments, which can be valuable for traders seeking insight into market movements. Neither HFM nor Trade Nation provides research from Trading Central or TipRanks.
Additionally, HFM includes an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events, a feature missing from Trade Nation's offerings. Trade Nation, on the other hand, provides research tools from Acuity Trading, which HFM does not. In terms of research ratings, HFM scores 4 stars, ranking #20 out of 62 brokers, while Trade Nation is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #42 by ForexBrokers.com. These ratings highlight HFM’s slight edge in research capabilities, offering a broader range of tools and resources for traders seeking thorough market analysis.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both HFM and Trade Nation understand the importance of educational support for beginners venturing into the world of forex and CFDs trading. Each platform provides more than ten educational pieces, including articles and videos, ensuring newcomers have ample resources to start their trading journey. While both brokers offer a solid selection of beginner-friendly videos, HFM distinguishes itself with regular live webinars, giving users the chance to learn in real-time and ask questions. In contrast, Trade Nation currently does not offer these monthly live sessions, which can be a drawback for those who value interactive learning.
Further exploring their educational features, HFM has an edge with a comprehensive archive of past webinars, allowing traders to access a wealth of knowledge at any time. This searchable feature enables new traders to revisit vital topics as they build their skills, whereas Trade Nation lacks this functionality. Both brokers provide advanced video content for seasoned traders and maintain an investor dictionary with essential definitions, yet HFM's slightly higher education rating and better rank in the ForexBrokers.com listings reflect its broader educational offerings and commitment to continuous learning.
| Feature |
HFM
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 HFM is better than Trade Nation. HFM finished with an overall rank of #30, while Trade Nation finished with an overall rank of #34.
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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Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 85 |
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HFM and Trade Nation both provide the capability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both HFM and Trade Nation do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they both offer Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire options for transactions.
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 | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Trade Nation Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | Trade Nation | |
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| Regulation | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 0.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 0.6 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 14 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 30 | 39 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 99 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Education | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trade Nation Review |
| Overall | HFM | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | Trade Nation Review |
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