HFM (HF Markets) vs XM
A side-by-side comparison built from each broker's own published record — licenses checked against official registers, terms quoted from their own pages, with the source linked on every claim.
| Regulation | FCA · CySEC · FSCA · FSA · CMA | CySEC · FSC · DFSA |
| License no. | FCA 801701 (HF Markets (UK) Ltd) CySEC 183/12 (HF Markets (Europe) Ltd, HE 277582) FSCA 46632 (HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd) FSA SD015 (HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd) CMA 155 (HFM Investments Ltd) | CySEC 120/10 FSC not printed on public register (XM Global Limited listed as Active, categories: Trading in Securities as Principal; Arranging transactions in Securities, registration period 2026) DFSA F003484 |
| Founded | 2010 | 2009 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $5 |
| EUR/USD spread from | 0.0 pips (Zero account, "From 0 on Forex"; Pro from 0.6, InfinityX from 0.3, Cent/Premium from 1.4 — hfm.com/int/en/trading-accounts) | "spreads as low as zero" (Zero Account); EURUSD-specific from-figure not published on public pages |
| Leverage | Offshore — no financial regulator named: InfinityX unlimited; Cent, Zero, Pro and Premium 1:2000 (subject to adjustment per the terms) | CySEC (Cyprus): Up to 30:1, depending on instrument FSC Belize: Flexible leverage up to 1000:1 |
| Gulf Payments | ||
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, HFM Platform (browser, TradingView charts), HFM WebTrader, HFM App (mobile) | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, XM App |
| Broker-published claim | Withdrawals are processed 24/7. "Withdrawals submitted before 10:00am server time are processed on the same business day between 7:00am and 5:00pm server time. Withdrawals submitted after 10:00am server time, will be processed on the following business day between 7:00am and 5:00pm server time." [Source] | Withdrawal requests are processed instantly by our Artificial Intelligence Back Office System, based on algorithmic parameters. You'll receive your money immediately, or on the same day your request is executed. Withdrawals via bank wire, credit or debit card usually take 2-5 business days to reach your account. [Source] |
| Withdrawal methods | bank wire transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller, Fasapay, crypto | Credit/debit cards, Electronic payment methods (e-wallets), Bank wire transfer, Local bank transfer |
| Crypto deposits/withdrawals | No | No |
| Islamic Accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Measured by us | Testing in progress | Testing in progress |
| Accepts clients from | Kenya | Germany, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Turkey, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia |
| Open account | Open account |
We do not name a winner here. The two records sit side by side because the right answer depends on where you live, what you trade, and which entity would onboard you — all of which the table shows.
By Country
- HFM (HF Markets) + XM: Kenya
- XM Yes / HFM (HF Markets) No: Germany, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Turkey, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia
Is HFM (HF Markets) or XM better?
Neither is better in the abstract. Compare the rows that apply to you: whether each broker accepts clients from your country, which entity and regulator you would be onboarded under, the minimum deposit, and how withdrawals work on the rail you would actually use.
Which is safer, HFM (HF Markets) or XM?
Safety follows the entity that holds your money, not the brand. Both records list every regulator and license number each broker publishes — check which entity serves your country, then verify that license on the regulator's own register.