Comparison of Axi and HFM
| Feature | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2010 |
| Broker Type | STP | MM, STP |
| Dealing | A-book | B-book, A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SVGFSA, ASIC, NZ FMA, DFSA, FCA | SVGFSA, FSCA, SFSA, CySEC, FCA, DFSA, CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Axi Trading Platform | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD | USD, EUR, JPY, NGN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit/Debit Cards (Visa/Mastercard), Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Bpay, FasaPay, Alipay, Sofort, POLi, Bitcoin (BTC) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, FasaPay, BitPay, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Tether (USDT) |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 12 months of no trading activity | $5 per month after 6 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | FSCS | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | £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, Shares (CFDs), Commodities, Cryptocurrencies | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | Axi Review | HFM Review |
About Axi
Axi is a multi-regulated broker founded in 2007 with a straightforward account setup: commission-free Standard or raw-spread Pro, and a VIP Elite tier. Traders can use MT4, MT5 (in selected regions), or the Axi Trading Platform, plus a dedicated Copy Trading app. The product list spans Forex, indices, commodities, 100+ share CFDs, ~30 crypto CFDs, and ETF CFDs. Add-ons include Autochartist, Trading Central, VPS, and the Axi Select funding program.
Pros
- Multi-entity regulation
- Elite VIP with ~$25k balance and $3.5 commission per lot
- Solid toolkit: Autochartist, Trading Central, VPS options
- Flexible funding incl. cards, e-wallets, and crypto; broad base currencies
Cons
- Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
- Share CFD universe is modest (~100 names) vs. largest competitors
- Elite requires high balance; not suitable for small accounts
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
Axi & HFM Regulation
| Feature | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Companies | AxiTrader Limited (AxiTrader), AxiCorp Financial Services Pty Ltd (AFSPL), AxiCorp Financial Services Pty Ltd (DIFC Branch), Axi Financial Services (UK) | 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 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Australia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Seychelles, Cyprus, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Kenya |
Regulators | SVGFSA, ASIC, NZ FMA, DFSA, FCA | SVGFSA, FSCA, SFSA, CySEC, FCA, DFSA, CMA |
Investor Protection | FSCS | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | Premium |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.9 | 1.2 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Stop Out | 20% | 20% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 50% |
Zero Account | ||
| Account Name | Pro | Zero |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.0 | 0 |
| Fee | $7 per 1 lot | $6 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Stop Out | 20% | 20% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 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 | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD | USD, EUR, JPY, NGN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit/Debit Cards (Visa/Mastercard), Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Bpay, FasaPay, Alipay, Sofort, POLi, Bitcoin (BTC) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, FasaPay, BitPay, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Tether (USDT) |
Inactivity fee | $10/month after 12 months of no trading activity | $5 per month after 6 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Axi Trading Platform | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
Execution Speed | - | 2000 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 69 | 53 |
Indices | 31 | 11 |
Stocks | 144 | 95 |
Cryptocurrencies | 35 | 40 |
Bonds | 0 | 3 |
Metals | 8 | 6 |
Energies | 5 | 2 |
Soft Commodities | 3 | 5 |
ETFs | 0 | 33 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Contests
| Feature | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Demo Contests | ||
| Is available | ||
| Contests List | — |
|
- Virtual to RealStart Balance: $10000 · Prize Pool: $3,500 · Period: MonthlyLearn More
Customer Support
| Contact | Axi | HFM |
|---|---|---|
Email | service@axi.com | support@hfm.com |
Phone | +61 2 9965 5830 | +442030978571 |
Telegram | Telegram | Telegram |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter | ||
TikTok | TikTok | — |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Axi 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.