Comparison of Alpari and HFM
| Feature | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1998 | 2010 |
| Broker Type | ECN, MM | MM, STP |
| Dealing | A-book, B-book | B-book, A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | MISA, NBRB | SVGFSA, FSCA, SFSA, CySEC, FCA, DFSA, CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
| Spread | ⮕ Average | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:2000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR | USD, EUR, JPY, NGN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, WebMoney, Skrill, Neteller, Wallet One, Volet.com, VLoad, TC Pay, Perfect Money, Tether (USDT) Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Zcash (ZEC) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, FasaPay, BitPay, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Tether (USDT) |
| Inactivity Fee | $5 per month after 6 months | $5 per month after 6 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | Financialcommission.org | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
| Protection Size | €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✔ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✔ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | Alpari Review | HFM Review |
About Alpari
Alpari is one of the most established names in the Forex trading world, with a history dating back to 1998. The broker has built a solid reputation, particularly among traders in emerging markets, for offering a broad range of financial instruments and account types that cater to both beginners and experienced traders. Alpari provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, with platform options including MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, two of the most popular trading platforms globally. The broker also offers social trading features, allowing clients to copy the strategies of more experienced traders. With a long track record and diverse offerings, Alpari aims to deliver flexibility and convenience. Additionally, Alpari offers multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, which is a major advantage for traders worldwide. However, it is important to note that while Alpari has a strong presence in many regions, it is not regulated by top-tier authorities, which may be a concern for some traders. Despite this, Alpari maintains a significant customer base and continues to attract clients with its competitive spreads and educational resources.
Pros
- Established broker with over two decades of experience in the industry
- Provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms
- Offers a PAMM feature for those interested in investing
- Comprehensive research and educational resources
- Competitive spreads and flexible leverage options
- Multiple payment methods for deposits and withdrawals
Cons
- Lack of regulation from top-tier financial authorities
- Customer support quality may vary depending on the region
- No proprietary trading platform available
About HFM
HFM, previously known as HotForex, is a well-established online forex and CFD broker, renowned for its diverse range of trading instruments, competitive pricing, and user-friendly platforms. Founded in 2010, the broker is regulated by multiple reputable authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA, ensuring a high standard of security and transparency for its clients. With access to over 1000 tradable assets, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares, HFM caters to both beginner and experienced traders, providing a seamless trading experience through platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary app. One of HFM's standout features is its flexible account options, which include a zero-spread account for cost-conscious traders and a micro account for those looking to start small. The broker also offers robust educational resources, free market analysis, and a suite of advanced tools to support informed trading decisions. Coupled with tight spreads, swift execution, and responsive customer support available 24/5, HFM continues to solidify its reputation as a reliable choice for traders across the globe.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities (CySEC, FCA, FSCA, etc.)
- Wide range of Instruments
- Flexible account options
- Comprehensive educational resources
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Inactivity fees
- Limited availability in some countries
Alpari & HFM Regulation
| Feature | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Alpari (Comoros) Ltd, Alpari Eurasia LLC | HF Markets (SV) Ltd, HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd, HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd, HF Markets Fintech Services Ltd, HF Markets (Europe) Ltd, HF Markets (UK) Ltd, HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd, HFM Investments Ltd |
Countries | Comoros, Belarus | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Seychelles, Cyprus, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Kenya |
Regulators | MISA, NBRB | SVGFSA, FSCA, SFSA, CySEC, FCA, DFSA, CMA |
Investor Protection | Financialcommission.org | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
Investor Protection Size | €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | — |
| Min Deposit | $50 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.3 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | — |
| Stop Out | 20% | — |
| Margin Call | 50% | — |
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Premium |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.2 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:2000 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 50% |
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | ECN | — |
| Min Deposit | $300 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.1 | — |
| Fee | $5 per 1 lot | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| Margin Call | 80% | — |
Zero Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Zero |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0 |
| Fee | — | $6 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:2000 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 50% |
Cent Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Cent |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.2 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:2000 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 50% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Binary Options | ||
| Account | Fix-Contracts | — |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | — |
| Option Types | Call/Put, Touch, Range, Spread, Turbo, Express | — |
| Minimum Stake | $1 | — |
| Payout | from 40% to 95% | — |
| Expiration Time | from 5 seconds to 1 day | — |
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR | USD, EUR, JPY, NGN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, WebMoney, Skrill, Neteller, Wallet One, Volet.com, VLoad, TC Pay, Perfect Money, Tether (USDT) Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Zcash (ZEC) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, FasaPay, BitPay, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Tether (USDT) |
Inactivity fee | $5 per month after 6 months | $5 per month after 6 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
Execution Speed | 0.1 ms | 2000 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 46 | 53 |
Indices | 12 | 11 |
Stocks | 631 | 95 |
Cryptocurrencies | 9 | 40 |
Bonds | 0 | 3 |
Metals | 2 | 6 |
Energies | 3 | 2 |
Soft Commodities | 0 | 5 |
ETFs | 0 | 33 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Contests
| Feature | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Demo Contests | ||
| Is available | ||
| Contests List | — |
|
- Virtual to RealStart Balance: $10000 · Prize Pool: $3,500 · Period: MonthlyLearn More
Customer Support
| Contact | Alpari | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@alpari.im | support@hfm.com |
Phone | +44 2045 771951 | +442030978571 |
Telegram | — | Telegram |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter | — |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Alpari and HFM, HFM comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.