HF Markets (HFM) Broker Review

Written by Emmanuel Ifeanyi

Emmanuel Ifeanyi

Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ekwomadu is a financial content writer specialised in Forex, Stock and Crypto trading. He is the person behind most of the brokers reviews that you will find on BestBrokers.com

, | Updated: January 12, 2026

HF Markets (HFM), known to many traders by its former brand name HotForex, is a global FX broker that has been in operation for more than 15 years. The group serves over 4 million live accounts and has built an offering centered on the popular MetaTrader platforms and the proprietary HFM App, combined with competitive pricing on a range of account types. The broker’s multi-asset line-up stretches from major currency pairs to stock CFDs, ETFs, indices (spot and futures), commodities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.

HF Markets operates multiple licensed subsidiaries, including but not limited to entities overseen by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. This regulatory background allows the broker to tailor leverage and client protections to users across the globe.

From a cost perspective, HF Markets’ spreads on the Cent and Premium accounts start at 1.4 pips. Pro accounts feature spreads from 0.6 pips, while the commission-based Zero account boasts a spread minimum of 0.0 pips. Most account types have no minimum deposit requirement, but you will need to deposit at least $100 if you decide to open a Pro account.

At the time of writing, HFM’s Trustpilot profile shows an average score of about 4.5 stars from roughly 2,827 public reviews (January 2026). Positive feedback frequently highlights responsive customer support, straightforward withdrawals, and tight spreads on the Zero account. By contrast, negative reviews tend to cite lengthy account-verification times and occasional slippage during high-volatility events.

It appears that HFM deliberately keeps entry hurdles low. A demo account is available, live account opening requires no minimum deposit amount in most cases, and the spreads are reasonable and can fall to 0.0 pips with certain accounts. This makes HF Markets attractive for cost-conscious retail traders.

Key Pros and Cons

If you are looking for a quick snapshot of HF Markets, here are the key pros and cons of trading with this broker.

For active traders who value low-cost raw pricing on MetaTrader and want the reassurance of at least one tier-1 regulator, HF Markets ticks most of the important boxes. Algorithmic systems can run via Expert Advisors on MT4/MT5, and casual mobile users benefit from an intuitive proprietary app. However, investors looking for a true multi-asset investment account (e.g., physical equities, options) may find the line-up of CFDs and futures restrictive. Similarly, traders who prefer alternative platforms such as cTrader or TradingView will need to look elsewhere.

Company Information

HF Markets Group began operations in 2010, launching under the “HotForex” banner. The founding team set up the original operating company in Mauritius before quickly applying for a licence in Cyprus.

Over the following decade, the group expanded into additional jurisdictions, earning licenses from the regulators of Dubai, Kenya, and South Africa, among other locations. The broker also added an FCA-authorized UK subsidiary in 2018. The year 2022 saw the group rebrand most customer-facing material to “HF Markets.”

Here is a rundown of HF Markets’ regulated entities:

1. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd, regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 183/12; Office address: 84 Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue & Papanikoli Office 601, Nicolaides Shopping City, Angelos Court, 6052 Larnaca
2. HF Markets (UK) Ltd, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under license number 801701; Office address: Bloomsbury Building 10 Bloomsbury Way, Holborn, London, England, WC1A 2SL
3. HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd, regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) under license number F004885; Office Address: Unit OT 20-53, Level 20, Central Park Offices, DIFC, PO Box 507274, Dubai, UAE
4. HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd, regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) under license number 46632; Office Address: Katherine & West Suite 18 Second floor 114 West Street Sandton, Johannesburg 2031
5. HFM Investments Ltd Kenya, regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) under license number 155; Office Address: The Oval Building, Corner of Jalaram Road/Ring Road Westlands, 5th floor, Office 2-7, P.O. Box 39397-00623 Parklands, Kenya
6. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd regulated by the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) under license number 53684
7. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) under license number 132342
8. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd regulated by the Hungarian National Bank (MNB) under license number K8761153
9. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd regulated by the National Commission for Companies and Stock Exchange (CONSOB) under license number 3673
10. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd regulated by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority under license number FT00080085
11. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd regulated by the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) under license number 3427
12. HF Markets (Europe) Ltd regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority of Sweden (Finansinspektionen) under license number 31987
13. HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) under license number SD015; Office address: Unit C, F28, Eden Plaza, Eden Island, Seychelles
14. HF Markets (SV) Ltd registered with the FSA (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) under registration number 22747 IBC 2015

We should also note that HF Markets seems to be registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with its HF Markets (SV) Ltd entity’s office address being Suite 305, Griffith Corporate Centre, P.O. Box 1510, Beachmont Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Each subsidiary services different client groups in accordance with local rules, which explains the varying leverage ceilings and promotional policies visible on the broker’s websites. Where allowed, HF Markets offers a range of promotions, with a notable example being its “Virtual to Real” contest, where users compete based on their trading performance in demo accounts. The group is privately held and does not publish public financial statements, though CySEC-regulated subsidiaries file annual reports with the regulator.

Why Trade with HF Markets?

With hundreds of CFD brokers competing for attention, HF Markets tries to earn a place on traders’ shortlists by combining low-friction costs, multi-jurisdictional regulation, and MetaTrader support. It markets itself as a “client-centric, multi-asset broker” and operates under a no-dealing-desk (NDD) model.

The broker’s Zero account in particular has become popular among day-traders and scalpers who require near-interbank spreads and are comfortable paying a transparent commission. Meanwhile, beginners often gravitate toward the Premium or Cent plans, attracted by the absence of commissions and the lack of minimum deposit requirements, both factors that make HF Markets more accessible than many mainstream competitors.

Beyond raw costs, HF Markets features an array of instruments, including dozens of stock CFDs from the US, Europe, and the UK, 10+ cash indices and commodities, various ETF CFDs, more than 50 forex pairs, and a growing list of major cryptocurrencies traded against the US dollar. For traders pursuing diversified macro strategies or rotating between asset classes around economic events, this breadth can be a genuine advantage.

Including the above factors, the following summary offers an overview of what we consider to be HF Markets’ best traits.

For high-frequency scalpers and Expert-Advisor users, the optional VPS packages and the Zero account’s raw spreads markedly improve algorithmic execution compared with wider retail-broker pricing. Swing traders and portfolio builders may value the ability to trade index CFDs, metals, and equities from the same login. Conversely, investors seeking unleveraged, physically held shares or options will not find a home here, as HF Markets remains focused on leveraged derivatives.

Regulation

HF Markets operates a multi-entity structure, with each subsidiary authorized and supervised by the financial regulator in its respective jurisdiction. The group’s flagship tier-1 approval is held by HF Markets (UK) Ltd, authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since 2018 under firm reference number 801701.

FCA regulation places strict requirements on capital adequacy, client-money segregation, product intervention, and complaints handling. Retail clients under this entity benefit from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which currently covers up to £85,000 per claimant if the broker defaults.

Within the European Economic Area, HF Markets (Europe) Ltd is authorized by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under licence number 183/12. Despite CySEC’s tier-2 status, the regulator enforces EU MiFID II rules, including a maximum leverage cap of 1:30 on major FX pairs and limited promotional activity. The roster of trading instruments is far narrower than what is offered in other jurisdictions, however. Only forex, metals, and energies can be traded. What is more, the broker has emphasized that its European operations only accept Eligible Counterparties and Professional clients.

HFM’s Middle-East presence is handled by HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd, regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (reference number F004885). The DFSA is widely regarded as a robust regulator within the MENA region, requiring segregated accounts in top-tier banks and extensive risk disclosures. Leverage for retail clients is capped at 1:30 in line with ESMA-style product-intervention measures.

HF Markets SA (Pty) Ltd holds a Category 1 Global Business Licence issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa (FSP number 46632). A local client-fund segregation regime applies, although South Africa does not currently offer a statutory investor-compensation scheme. Here, the available leverage can reach 1:2000.

For clients outside the above jurisdictions, the broker typically onboards under HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd, which is regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (securities dealer licence number SD015), or under HF Markets (SV) Ltd, a registered international business company in St Vincent & the Grenadines that is not formally regulated. These offshore entities offer leverage up to 1:500 or higher and the most flexible product slate, but they do not provide access to a statutory compensation fund and are subject to lighter conduct-of-business rules.

Across all entities, HF Markets states that client funds are held in segregated accounts with reputable banking partners and that negative-balance protection applies to retail clients. Professional clients, however, may waive this safeguard in exchange for higher leverage.

Below, you will find an overview of HF Markets’ regulatory oversight across different regions:

KYC Procedure for Account Creation and Depositing

HF Markets has streamlined its onboarding journey into an eight-step digital workflow. To create an account, all you need to do is follow the below instructions:

1. Go to the HF Markets website and click the Register button located on the upper right. The website automatically routes users to the correct form based on IP address, though manual override is possible.
2. Select your country, input your email or phone number, and create a strong password. If you have a Partner Code or Campaign ID, you may provide either. If not, you can continue.
3. Use the verification code that was sent to your email.
4. The next step collects basic personal details such as your name, phone number, and date of birth. This is also where you can select your default account currency.
5. What follows is choosing the type of account you wish to start trading with. The live account options are Premium, Cent, Zero Spread, and Pro, with each supporting MT4 and MT5. You can also forgo opening a live account for now and opt for demo trading.
6. Complete the registration process by providing your address and selecting all of the relevant information in the Investor Profile section. This includes picking your title and disclosing your country of birth, your estimated net worth, your level of education, the source of your funds, and your employment status. You will also need to state your experience level when it comes to trading CFDs, with the options ranging from Advanced to No Experience.
7. You will be prompted to top up your account with your preferred deposit method. Note that if you have not undergone verification yet, the deposit maximum will be limited and certain payment solutions will be unavailable.
8. Last but not least, go to the Verify your Account section in the myHF client portal and undergo verification. This involves uploading photos or scans of Proof of Legal Existence documents (valid passport, personal ID, or driver’s license), and Proof of Address documents (recent electricity bill, gas bill, phone bill, or bank statement/credit card bill). This is mandatory as it satisfies anti-money-laundering (AML) rules.

Note that the above steps pertain to HFM’s international branch. In the UK, for example, you will also need to provide your tax number when filling out the personal information fields. The said step will also be followed by an Appropriateness Assessment, a MiFID II-mandated step that will gauge your trading experience level and test your knowledge of CFDs trading and risk management.

In most cases, document review is automated via OCR and database cross-checks, enabling account approval within a few hours during business days. Manual verification, triggered by unclear scans or a mismatch in personal details, extends processing to one business day on average. User reviews corroborate HF Markets’ claim of same-day activation but note occasional delays.

A full-function demo account is available without documented KYC, although traders must still provide an email and phone number. The demo environment mirrors live spreads and grants up to $100,000 in virtual balance, renewable on request. Premium demo accounts last for 60 days, while Zero demo accounts have no expiration date.

Professional-status eligibility, where offered, generally follows the ESMA framework. In other words, at least two of the following requirements must be met: portfolio over €500,000, relevant financial-sector employment experience, or 40 significant trades over the past four quarters. Professional clients lose certain retail protections.

Account Types

HF Markets keeps its retail account line-up relatively straightforward, offering four core variants that differ in pricing model and target audience.

• Premium: A spread-only account with no minimum deposit requirement and spreads from 1.4 pips. The base currencies include USD, EUR, ZAR, and GBP, with 1 lot being the equivalent of 100,000 currency units. The selection of financial instruments enables clients to trade FX, hard and soft commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
• Zero: This commission-based account features spreads as low as 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per side (forex).
• Pro: This account offers spreads from 0.6 pips and has a spread-only cost structure.
• Cent: Another account where the costs are built into the spread. It is similar to the Premium account, but the account currency here is US Cent (USC), and one lot equals 1,000 currency units. Moreover, the range of products is much narrower, with only forex and gold being available.

Cent Accounts

As established, the features of Premium and Cent accounts align to a certain extent. The spread minimum is set at 1.4 pips, for example, and this account type is also commission-free. There are, however, three key factors that differentiate Cent accounts:

• Account Currency: Only USC (US Cent) is supported.
• Contract Size: Here, 1 lot is equal to 1,000 units (compared to Premium accounts’ 100,000 units).
• Available Trading Instruments: Cent account holders can only trade forex and gold at HF Markets. If they would like access to other instruments, they would need to open a Zero, Premium, or Pro account.

Beyond regulatory restrictions, leverage limits are also adjusted based on the account type and its equity in USD:

Pro Account

This account type offers a middle ground between raw spreads and commission-free trading. The spreads can drop to 0.6 pips, while the rest of the Pro account’s characteristics are more or less the same as most of HF Markets’ accounts. Aspiring traders should keep in mind that opening such an account is harder as there is a minimum deposit requirement of $/€100 to adhere to.

Copy Trading Account

At HF Markets, users can become either copiers or Strategy Providers and take advantage of the broker’s copy trading capabilities. Essentially, HF Markets clients can leverage the experience of seasoned trading experts by copying the trades of Signal Providers in real-time.

Of course, users remain in full control of how much of their funds can be utilized for copy trading, and they can also utilize risk management tools. We should further stress that Strategy Providers are paid performance fees by their followers, but the said costs are only imposed upon the execution of successful trades.

HF Markets acts solely as the hosting venue and does not vet strategies, so customary risk warnings apply.

Islamic Account

Swap-free trading is an opt-in sub-account that can be opened by individuals who must abide by Sharia laws or anyone who would like to avoid rollover rates. All major account types have swap-free Islamic variants at HF Markets.

Islamic account holders are neither paid nor charged swap fees whenever they leave their leveraged trading positions open overnight. However, due to these accounts’ unique trading conditions, traders have a limited range of instruments at their disposal:

• Currency Pairs: AUDNZD, EURNZD, GBPNZD, GBPJPY, USDCAD, AUDCHF, AUDJPY, CADCHF, CADJPY, CHFJPY, EURCHF, EURJPY, GBPCHF, NZDCHF, NZDJPY, USDCHF, USDJPY, AUDCAD, AUDUSD, EURAUD, EURCAD, EURGBP, EURUSD, GBPCAD, GBPUSD, NZDUSD, NZDCAD
• Gold: XAUEUR, XAUUSD
• Indices: AUS200, FRA40, GER40, HK50, JPN225, NETH25, SPA35, SUI20, UK100, USA100, USA30, USA500, USAIndex
• Commodities: USOIL.S

PAMM Accounts

HF Markets’ PAMM system is another option that bridges the gap between seasoned traders and individuals seeking passive market exposure. In this model, fund managers commit their own capital alongside participant funds and trade on their behalf.

Participants can evaluate detailed performance metrics, such as historical growth and risk management styles, to select a strategy that resonates with their financial objectives. As for the managers, they are rewarded with a performance-based commission when they generate positive results.

Professional Accounts

The professional status at HF Markets is designed for sophisticated traders who can navigate high-risk trading environments without the standard safety nets provided to retail participants. This account type is only available in the UK.

HF Markets conducts a thorough vetting process to ensure that anyone requesting this status truly understands the complexities of the instruments they are trading. Moreover, to qualify, candidates must satisfy at least two of three specific benchmarks:

• Maintaining a substantial capital reserve of over €500,000+
• Demonstrating a consistent history of high-volume trading with at least 40 trades having been placed over the past four quarters
• Having professional experience of one year or more within the financial industry

Demo Account

HF Markets users have the option to open a demo account if they do not feel confident to start live trading immediately or they want to test out certain trading strategies. The live accounts that have demo variants include Premium and Zero, with the former being available for 60 days after being opened. Both allow traders to use a virtual balance of $100,000. Users who wish to utilize MT5 will need to open a Demo Premium account, as the paper trading version of Zero accounts only features MT4.

Another option is Demo Contest, which is a part of HF Markets’ “Virtual to Real” incentive. This account type allows traders to compete without spending real cash, and based on their performance (i.e., the gains in virtual cash they accumulate from demo trading), they can win trading bonuses ranging from $500 to $2,000. The eligible instruments include forex, EU shares, spot indices, futures indices, metals, and energies.

Trading Fees and Other Costs

If you are interested in creating an account at HF Markets, it is best that you do so after you first become familiar with the fees and other potential costs that may affect your trading experience and profits. The costs at HF Markets fall into two main categories:

• Trading Fees: This encompasses direct execution costs like spreads and commissions, as well as the overnight financing charges.
• Non-Trading Fees: Here, we refer to the potential deposit and withdrawal fees a broker may charge, as well as inactivity fees, account management fees, and the like.

Spreads

On the Cent and Premium accounts, the cost is entirely embedded in the spread, which can drop to 1.4 pips during peak liquidity. This also happens to be the minimum listed spread of the EUR/USD pair.

Other majors’ spreads tend to stand below the 2.0-pip mark as well, with examples being the USD/JPY (1.8 pips), GBP/USD (1.6), and USD/CAD (1.9 pips). Non-major pairs’ spreads, meanwhile, can go beyond the aforementioned threshold, like the EUR/CAD, whose listed spread is 2.3 pips.

On the Zero account, HF Markets posts raw spreads streaming from underlying liquidity providers. During typical London and New York overlap, interbank pricing yields 0.0-0.4 pips on major pairs. For short-term day traders, higher spread values versus the spreads offered in the Zero account can accumulate rapidly, making the latter the more cost-efficient choice. Trading with such low spreads does involve a commission, which stands at $3 per side for FX.

The last account type whose spreads differ is the one dubbed Pro. Here, spreads can drop to 0.6 pips as is the case with the EUR/USD, AUD/USD, GBP/USD, USD/CAD, and USD/CHF. This time, there are no additional commissions to pay on top of the spread, making the Pro Account a suitable option for traders seeking narrow spreads but who are not interested in commissions. To gain access to these spreads, however, traders will need to make an initial deposit of $/€100 when creating their Pro Account.

In terms of overall costs, we can check out the standard-lot trading costs, where a one-pip movement is equivalent to $10, by using the following formula:

• Spread: 1.4
• Commission Per Side: $0
• TOTAL COST: 1.4 x $10 + $0 = $14 per side and $28 per round turn

By applying the above method to the rest of the HF Markets accounts’ EUR/USD spreads, we can see that Pro accounts are more affordable than Cent and Premium, while Zero accounts boast the lowest overall trading costs:

When we compare HF Markets’ Cent and Premium spreads with those of other industry participants, the broker’s performance is average. While the spreads tend to be higher, they mirror those of the competition in terms of not climbing past 2.0 pips. HF Markets’ last commission-free account type, meanwhile, generally performs better than other trading brands in terms of its costs.

*The broker’s spreads are floating, and the above values may not reflect current market spreads

Commissions

Only the Zero Account offers commission-based trading at HF Markets. When it comes to forex in particular, trading with this account type means that you will be charged a commission of $3 per side, though the exact amount can differ based on the trade size:

• Standard Lot Commission (100,000 units): $3 per side and $6 round turn
• Mini Lot Commission (10,000 units): $0.3 per side and $0.6 round turn
• Micro Lot Commission (1,000 units): $0.03 per side and $0.06 round turn

Besides forex, gold trading also involves commissions if you go with a Zero Account. Just like before, the commission size is reliant on the size of your position:

• Standard Lot Commission (100 Ounces): $5 per side and $10 round turn
• Mini Lot Commission (10 Ounces): $0.5 per side and $1.0 round turn
• Micro Lot Commission (1 Ounce): $0.05 per side and $0.10 round turn

Financing Charges

Financing charges, known also as overnight, swap, or rollover fees, are one of the key costs that can affect individuals who partake in leveraged trading. Swap rates are applied on positions that involve leverage and are held until the following trading day or even longer. They dictate what interest the trader is charged (or paid) for keeping their position open.

These rates change on a daily basis, and the trading day ends at 00:00 server time as stated by HF Markets. Below, you can see the swaps that were valid on January 6, 2026.

HF Markets offers a Swap Calculator tool that can help traders see the exact rollover costs attached to a given position. For example, if you decide to open a EUR/USD position of 1,000, the swap fee of a short position would be 0.00 USD, while the fee on a long position would be -8500.00 USD.

HF Markets utilizes the following swap fee formula:

Rollover Fee Formula = Position Size * (Counterparty Fee * Internal Interest Fee) * Pip Value) / Currency Rate

We should also stress that due to the fact that positions can remain open during weekends and the holidays, Wednesday swaps on most instruments are tripled to account for this. Indices are the exception, as HF Markets charges triple swaps on Fridays instead.

Users who own Islamic accounts are exempt from the above outlined costs and will not be paid interest either. The broker has clarified that some trading instruments may be subject to carry charges, however.

Deposit Fees

HF Markets does not impose fees on deposits made via the majority of its supported payment solutions. The one exception is Wire Transfers, which are fee-free only if the deposited amount is higher than $100. For further details, see Deposit Methods.

Withdrawal Fees

At HF Markets, traders are not required to pay the broker withdrawal fees when they cash out money from their account balances. Still, HF Markets does warn that clients’ banks may themselves attach fees to online transactions. If you would like more information on the broker’s withdrawal policies, see Withdrawal Methods.

VPS Fees

HF Markets has partnered with Beeks Financial Cloud in order to provide its clients with a premium virtual private server (VPS) service that enables trading with lower latency. You can view the available plans below, but keep in mind the lowest tier (Bronze) can be claimed for free provided that in the past 30 days, you deposited no less than $400, and that you have traded at least 2 standard lots over the past month.

* $0 if you meet the free VPS eligibility requirements

Inactivity Fees

If you register at HF Markets, you will need to make sure that you keep your account active if you wish to avoid dormancy fees. The broker defines “Dormant Account” as an account whose owner has not conducted any trades for 6 months and has not deposited into or withdrawn from their balance.

Dormancy fees are charged until the owner’s account balance hits $0. Moreover, if the remaining balance is less than the applicable fee, only the remaining amount of money is charged, and the owner’s balance does not drop below $0.

The fee amount is dependent on the length of time a given account has been inactive:

• 6 Months to 1 Year: $5 per month
• 1 to 2 Years: $10 per month
• 2 to 3 years: $20 per month
• More than 3 years: $20 with an additional $10 added each year until the account balance falls to $0

Overall on Fees

Trading fees are dependent on one’s account, with Zero account holders benefitting from the best overall trading costs thanks to its commission-based model ($3 per side), where spreads can go as low as 0.0 pips. Individuals who would rather trade without additional commissions and go with Cent or Premium will face spreads that are a bit higher than those of alternative brokers. Clients who open a Pro account, however, will enjoy competitive spreads that can drop to 0.6 pips.

The broker also charges and pays swap fees on overnight positions, but it offers Islamic accounts that are not affected by swaps and are instead charged carry fees.

Non-trading fees are modest for the most part. HF Markets does not charge for deposits via bank cards, digital wallets, local bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, and wire transfers whose transaction size exceeds $100. Withdrawals come with no extra costs on behalf of HF Markets.

Casual traders or those who are known to take lengthy breaks from trading should be aware that HF Markets charges inactivity fees. They start at $5 per month if you have been inactive for at least 6 months, but can grow to $20 and higher the longer your account remains dormant. While the broker will not impose further charges once the balance drops to $0, its inactivity policies are generally harsher than what is typical across the online trading industry.

Desktop Trading Platforms

HF Markets supports two powerhouse MetaQuotes platforms in both downloadable desktop and browser-based WebTrader variants:

MetaTrader 4

MT4 remains hugely popular with discretionary forex traders and EA developers seeking low-resource execution. It comes pre-configured to HF Markets’ trade servers, with data-center locations in Europe, Asia, and the US to minimize latency.

The platform features 9 timeframes, 30 technical indicators, 4 pending order types, and 31 analytical objects. Its 32-bit platform architecture is mono-threaded, and it enables the usage of expert advisors. In terms of risk-management strategies, hedging is supported. Note that while MT4 offers a strategy tester, it is only single-threaded, and there is no built-in economic calendar.

For traders who prefer not to install software, WebTrader replicates the core MT4 interface within any modern HTML5 browser. Although custom indicators and EAs cannot be executed in the browser, WebTrader retains chart-drawing tools, multiple watch-lists, and basic order-management features. Execution latency compared with desktop is negligible for most retail trade sizes.

MetaTrader 5

MT5 extends the trading environment with additional time-frames, an integrated economic calendar, depth-of-market window, and optimized multi-threaded strategy tester. Advanced charting includes up to 21 time-frames on MT5, 38 built-in indicators, 44 analytical objects, and unlimited custom indicators. The broad range of order types, including market, limit, stop, stop-limit, and trailing-stop orders, is another perk.

One-click trading is enabled by default, and a mini-terminal plugin is available via the HF Tools package for more granular risk-per-trade calculations. Experienced algo traders can code strategies MQL5 and back-test against tick data, and just like with MT4, HF Markets imposes no explicit restrictions on scalping or hedging on the MT5 platform. In terms of its structure, MT5 boasts 65-bit multi-threaded processing.

Copy Trading With HF Markets

Thanks to HF Markets’ copy trading system, users can automate their market involvement by mirroring the real-time actions of experienced traders known as Strategy Providers. This approach allows individuals to benefit from professional strategies while retaining control over their capital and risk thresholds. Strategy providers, meanwhile, can earn from performance-based fees paid by the users who follow them and copy their trading activity.

VPS Hosting

HF Markets rounds out its desktop offering with optional VPS hosting, priced between $25 and $80 per month. The cheapest plan is free for clients who trade at least two standard lots per month and have deposited a net amount of $400. Locating EAs on a VPS helps reduce latency fluctuations and mitigates internet-connection downtime risk, which can be crucial for high-frequency or news-event strategies.

Mobile Trading Platforms

On mobile, traders can choose between the standard MetaTrader 4/5 apps and the proprietary HFM app. The MetaTrader suite mirrors desktop watch-lists, supports 30+ technical indicators, around a dozen timeframes, basic drawing tools, and all major order types.

Integration with push notifications allows price and trade alerts to be displayed directly on the lock screen, while biometric login on iOS and Android enhances security. The primary limitation versus desktop remains the inability to run Expert Advisors or custom indicators, although most discretionary traders will find the mobile charting sufficient for on-the-go management.

The dedicated HFM app is another option, and it is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It allows users to deposit, withdraw, and transfer funds between sub-accounts and monitor live statistics.

Additionally, technical analysis is enhanced by a charting suite that supports various visual formats and indicators, adaptable to any viewing preference. The app also delivers real-time price triggers and access to HF Markets’ webinars. One-time trading is also available.

Here is an overview of HF Markets’ application and what you can expect after downloading it from Google Play or the App Store:

Tradable Instruments

HF Markets offers a CFD catalogue that goes well beyond the pure-forex focus implied by its original HotForex name. Core forex coverage sits at over 50 currency pairs, and there are over a dozen indices, a range of stock CFDs, commodities, futures, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Depending on where you reside, the instrument selection can pass 300 or even 500 assets.

Forex

The forex book featuring 50+ pairs is the broker’s main highlight. Liquidity is streamed from multiple bank and non-bank providers and aggregated via the group’s trading servers in London (LD4) and Amsterdam (AMS1). The library includes majors, minors, and a handful of exotics such as USD/ZAR and EUR/TRY. Leverage caps range from 1:30 on major pairs under FCA/CySEC rules to 1:2000 via the offshore entities.

Spreads on major pairs are consistently among the tightest in the retail space for users who trade with the Zero account. Exotic spreads are understandably wider, though still competitive when adjusted for volatility.

Indices

HF Markets quotes both cash and future versions of leading stock indices, with its suite covering indices in the US (US30, US500.S, USA100), Europe (GER40, UK100, FRA40, EU50), and Asia-Pacific (JPN225, AUS200, HK50). Cash contracts incur overnight financing as swaps, while the futures contracts avoid swaps but have fixed expiries and slightly wider spreads.

Furthermore, some indices are spot-only, while others can only be traded through futures:

Day traders often prefer the cash US500.S at 0.4 points during liquid hours, whereas swing traders hedge quarterly earnings via the futures variant without rollover costs. The leverage range is wide for those trading with the offshore HF Markets entities, seeing as they can take advantage of leverage of up to 1:1000.

Stock CFDs

More than 150 stock CFDs allow HF Markets users to trade equities from the USA, France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK (NASDAQ and the NYSE). Leverage is restricted to 1:5 (retail) in line with ESMA, but up to 1:1000 offshore. Corporate-action adjustments, including dividends and splits, are reflected as cash adjustments. Commission is built into the spread. While HF Markets’ stock CFDs cover a wide range of equities, the number of assets is still lower than we would like.

Commodities

Metal traders can access gold, silver, palladium, and platinum as spot CFDs, while the energies desk lists West Texas Intermediate, Brent crude, and natural-gas cash and futures contracts. Soft commodities are also available, with HF Markets offering CFDs on cocoa, coffee, copper, cotton, and sugar. Spot gold is the star performer in terms of costs, with the Cent/Premium spread being listed as low as 0.33 pips, while with a Pro account, the spread drops further to 0.16 pips.

As is often the case at HF Markets, leverage limits are calibrated based on where you reside and the specific instrument you plan to trade. Soft commodities’ ratios are either floating or limited to 1:66. If you decide to trade crude oil, the leverage you will be able to access can go up to 1:200. Finally, precious metals’ leverage ranges from 1:20 (Palladium) to 1:2000 (Gold).

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency CFDs are available on BTC/USD, ETH/USD, LTC/USD, XRP/USD, and a handful of other crypto coins, with maximum leverage between 1:5 and 1:1000.

Crypto CFDs operate from Sunday night to Friday night GMT, mirroring traditional CFD hours rather than uninterrupted spot-exchange schedules. The 1:1000 leverage on BTC/USD offers higher buying power than most regulated exchanges. Wider spreads and higher swaps, however, make HF Markets more suited to short-term crypto speculation than long-term holding.

Bonds

HF Markets provides a gateway to the global bond markets, allowing investors to integrate government-issued securities into their broader financial strategy. CFDs enable speculation on price fluctuations in either direction.

At HF Markets, users can enjoy institutional-grade conditions, including ultra-fast execution speeds and zero-commission structures on popular UK and US government debt. Additionally, leverage of up to 1:50 (offshore) allows clients to amplify their market exposure.

ETFs

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are another option at the disposal of HF Markets users. These instruments comprise a basket of assets that clients can trade like any other instrument and are an excellent tool for diversifying one’s trading sessions. At HF Markets, you can trade ETFs through CFDs and benefit from top-notch execution speeds.

The broker utilizes ETFs in a range of categories, including basic materials, consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, equities, financial sector, health care, technology, and utilities. Leverage can go up to 1:5 at the entity serving international clients.

What You Cannot Trade

The main markets that are absent from HF Markets’ catalog are physical shares and options, along with some region-specific assets.

1. If you would like to engage in stock trading and make HF Markets your broker of choice, you will only be able to trade shares via CFDs and gain no ownership over the assets.
2. Options, meanwhile, are completely absent from the library of instruments. It is also worth noting that the library of assets is on the small side in general, at least compared to rivals whose selection features thousands of instruments.
3. The library in general is on the smaller side in terms of the number of instruments offered, particularly when we compare it to brokerages offering thousands of trading products.
4. Finally, UK clients should keep in mind that HF Markets does not offer spread betting.

Trade Execution

HF Markets advertises an STP/No-Dealing-Desk execution model, routing client orders to a pool of top-tier liquidity providers. In its execution policy, the broker stresses that it puts an emphasis on execution speed, but exact values have not been provided.

HF Markets imposes no minimum distance on stop-loss or take-profit orders, thereby accommodating scalpers. Minimum trade size when it comes to all account types is 0.01 lots. Slippage can occur, particularly around high-impact events.

For latency-sensitive strategies, HF Markets offers VPS hosting powered by Beeks’ LD4 and NY4 data centers, directly cross-connected to its trading servers. The service is free for eligible clients, although this only applies to the Bronze tier. Given that MetaTrader’s internal latency can already reach single-digit milliseconds, VPS mainly benefits algorithmic traders aiming to avoid local ISP fluctuations.

Deposit Methods

HFM supports a healthy range of base account currencies, including but not limited to USD, EUR, GBP, and USC (US Cent). This approach reduces conversion fees for clients’ funding in local currencies.

Card deposits (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro) take minutes to process and carry no broker-side charge. Popular e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller, WebMoney, and Perfect Money are likewise credited within waiting times of up to 10 minutes. Crypto-based payments, including Bitpay, BinancePay, and a range of coins, are instant, and there are no additional charges imposed by HF Markets.

If you are looking to make swift deposits, bank and wire transfers may be best avoided. Such transactions can take between 2 and 7 days to be processed.

HF Markets pledges to not charge reimbursement deposit fees on wire transfers, provided you top up your account with at least $100. Local-bank transfer options in Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, and Vietnam further simplify funding without international-wire fees. The minimum deposit amounts of each option are generally low, ranging from $5 to $100 offshore, and $50 to $250 in the UK. Top-ups typically have a ceiling of $5,000 or $10,000, but some payment methods enable depositing an unlimited amount.

Withdrawal Methods

HF Markets processes withdrawal requests through the myHF client portal. The broker operates a “return to source” policy: card deposits are refunded back to the same card up to the original deposit amount before additional profits can be wired or paid to an e-wallet. Internal approval is advertised within 24 hours during business days. Card and bank transfer/wire credits usually arrive within 2 to 10 business days.

HFM charges no internal fees on withdrawal transactions. Third-party banking fees can still apply, however. The minimum withdrawal amounts range from $5 to $100, depending on the financial solution used.

Customer Support Contacts

HF Markets runs a 24/5 multilingual help desk accessible through a range of communication channels. The options include:

1. Live Chat: The live chat service is prominently displayed on every page of the website and usually connects to an agent within seconds, based on our team’s experience. Agents were able to provide specific spread and margin details, assist with account-related issues, and answer other types of questions swiftly.
2. Email: Our queries sent to support@hfm.com received a personalized response within 24 hours. We should note, however, that the relevant support email will vary depending on your jurisdiction:
   
   • Global: support@hfm.com
   • Brazil: support_portugues@latam.hfm.com
   • Colombia: support_espanol@latam.hfm.com
   • Mexico: support_espanol@latam.hfm.com
   • China: supportcn@hfm.com
   • Taiwan: supportcn@hfm.com
   • Korea: kr@hfm.com
   • India: supportin@hfm.com
   • Indonesia: supportind@hfm.com
   • Thailand: supportth@hfm.com
   • Malaysia: supportmy@hfm.com
   • Philippines: supportph@hfm.com
   • Vietnam: supportvn@hfm.com
   • Nigeria: nigeria@hfm.com
   • Arabic Support: arabic@hfm.com
3. Phone Contact: Each of the broker’s entities allows clients to seek assistance through the phone number relevant to their jurisdictions.
   
   • Global: +44-203 097 85 71
   • Brazil: +55-114 858 37 07
   • Colombia: +57-602 389 60 18
   • Mexico: +52-558 852 72 76
   • China: 4001-200742 Toll-Free
   • Taiwan: 0080-149-1499 Toll-Free
   • Korea: 079-8321-8258
   • India: 000800 9190 406 (Toll-Free)
   • Indonesia: +62-213 051 35 00
   • Thailand: +66-250 600 95
   • Malaysia: +60-154 600 07 73
   • Philippines: +63-284 651 240
   • Nigeria: +234-700 123 53 49 , +234-201 227 91 60
4. FAQs: This is the one area that warrants criticism. HF Markets offers a very barebones dedicated FAQ page with around two dozen questions and answers. While it covers the basics such as account information, how to deposit and withdraw funds, the broker’s regulatory status, and more, it still pales in comparison to the comprehensive FAQ pages of competitors. There is no search function either. On the other hand, the separate pages on the website feature FAQs related to the content of the specific page.

Research and Educational Materials

HF Markets empowers its global user base through institutional-grade research and education tools. The platform integrates industry-leading third-party tools with proprietary analysis, with resources available for novices and seasoned trading enthusiasts alike.

Research

HF Markets delivers a steady stream of research via its in-house analytics desk and partnerships with the third-party providers Trading Central and Autochartist. Daily Market Analysis emails summarize overnight developments, technical levels, and macro themes.

A proprietary Advanced Insights portal inside myHF publishes intraday updates and sentiment heat-maps powered by Trading Central. Autochartist integration within MT4/MT5 offers pattern recognition and volatility statistics, which can help traders set realistic stop-loss distances.

The broker’s economic calendar is customizable by time zone, importance, and asset class, while a trio of trading calculators-pip value, margin, and risk percentage. An earnings calendar will also keep you up to date on the earnings reports of public companies.

Education

HF Markets’ written educational content includes resources on CFDs, risk management, and other key factors of trading, which are available on the broker’s website. Traders may also tune in to the broker’s podcasts, attend seminars and webinars, or browse the HFM’s library of video guides.

Online courses are another highlight of HF Markets’ educational offering, covering material suitable for beginners and guides catering to intermediate, advanced, and experienced traders.

Webinar topics rotate through platform tutorials, candlestick patterns, risk management, and live NFP coverage. It is not mandatory to watch the webinars live, as all sessions are recorded and archived for on-demand viewing.

Security and Money Guarantees

Client-fund protection at HF Markets is anchored by strict segregation policies: retail deposits are held in separate trust accounts at top-tier banks, ring-fenced from the broker’s operating capital. This ensures that if the company becomes insolvent, users will be able to access their funds.

Under the FCA umbrella, eligible clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000. Offshore entities offer an insurance program of €5,000,000 with 100% security (Lloyd’s) and implement negative-balance protection. Positions are automatically closed when equity falls below 50% of the margin, and a stop-out level of 20% also applies. Two-factor authentication is available for myHF logins, and withdrawals trigger an email confirmation link plus optional SMS OTP.

Backend infrastructure employs SSL encryption and hardware firewalls. Additionally, HF Markets states that it performs regular monitoring of operation-related risks.

Conclusion

HF Markets delivers a compelling blend of competitive raw pricing, substantial asset coverage, and multi-jurisdictional regulation, making for an attractive proposition for retail traders seeking value without abandoning regulatory oversight. The Premium and Zero accounts, coupled with MT4/MT5 and optional VPS, cater nicely to short-term discretionary and algorithmic strategies. Meanwhile, demo trading, low minimum deposits, and a well-structured educational suite give newcomers a less intimidating entry point.

Where the broker lags is platform variety (no cTrader/TradingView), depth in peripheral asset classes, lack of options trading, no spread betting in the UK, and the broader library’s number of assets.

Written by E. Ifeanyi