HFM vs IC Markets
Trying to choose between HFM and IC Markets for your trading? This broker comparison between HFM and IC Markets examines regulatory standing and licenses, pricing and trading conditions, platforms and market range, funding and withdrawals, and other essential factors to help you evaluate them side by side.
Who is HFM?
HFM is a global forex and CFD brokerage that began operating in 2010, offering a wide range of trading instruments across various global markets. The broker features competitive spreads and a wide range of account types, along with daily webinars and other education tools for all kinds of traders. The official website of HFM is www.hfm.com.
The minimum deposit to open an account with HFM is $0.
Who is IC Markets?
IC Markets is a leading global multi-asset broker, established in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The broker is best recognized for providing ultra-tight spreads, deep liquidity, and fast execution. The broker provides a deep collection of market products under a multi-regulated environment. The official website of IC Markets is www.icmarkets.com.
The minimum deposit required to start trading with IC Markets is $200.
HFM vs IC Markets Side-by-Side Comparison
HFM, established in 2010, is regulated by the FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), CMA (Kenya), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (United Kingdom) and DFSA (Dubai, UAE). The company maintains local offices in Kingstown and Larnaca. Traders can use a variety of trading platforms at HFM, including MT4, MT5 and HFM App.
Further, HFM sets a minimum deposit of $0, and supports accounts denominated in USD, NGN, INR, KES, TBH, JPY, ZAR, SGD and PHP. The broker operates under a hybrid model (A+B Book) model, and supports copy trading through HFCopy. Finally, HFM offers flexible funding methods that include credit and debit cards, bank wire transfers, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Fasapay), crypto and mobile money.
By comparison, IC Markets, founded in 2007, is licensed by the ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles), CMA (Kenya) and SCB (Bahamas). This firm keeps local offices in Limassol, Sydney, Mahe, Nairobi and Nassau. Traders can choose among several trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
The minimum deposit to start trading with IC Markets is $200 and account base currencies include USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, SGD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD and CAD. The firm uses an A-Book execution model and supports copy trading through cTrader Copy, ZuluTrade and Signal Start. Traders can make deposits and withdrawals via credit and debit cards, bank wire transfers and e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, PayPal).
HFM vs IC Markets Market Instruments
IC Markets offers a wide market lineup with 2,250+ CFD instruments, which include CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, commodities, etfs, bonds, futures and cryptocurrencies. The selection comprises 61 forex pairs, 2,100+ stocks, 25 indices, 28+ commodities, and 13 crypto pairs.
HFM, by comparison, provides 500+ instruments and covers CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, stocks, etfs, crypto and bonds. HFM's collection of market products includes 50+ forex pairs, 89 stocks, 20+ indices, 10+ commodities, and 10 crypto pairs.
HFM vs IC Markets Account Types
HFM vs IC Markets Spreads Comparison
The spreads compared here reflect the minimum and, where available, average quotes on standard accounts for HFM and IC Markets. Spreads can change with account type, liquidity, and volatility, so confirm the latest figures on each broker’s website.
Minimum spreads: On major forex pairs, IC Markets generally posts tighter minimums than HFM. EUR/USD starts from 0.8 pips at IC Markets versus 1.4 pips at HFM, GBP/USD from 0.8 pips versus 1.6 pips, USD/CAD from 0.8 pips versus 1.9 pips,and CAD/JPY from 1.0 pips versus 2.2 pips.
Beyond forex, IC Markets lists XAU/USD (gold) at $0.1 compared with HFM at $0.25, WTI at $0.01 versus $0.03, and Bitcoin at $1.85 versus $18.
Average spreads: IC Markets discloses averages of 0.82 pips for EUR/USD and 1.03 pips for GBP/USD. HFM does not provide data about the average spreads for these assets.
HFM vs IC Markets Minimum Spreads Comparison
HFM vs IC Markets Average Spreads Comparison
Costs on Raw/Zero Spread Account
HFM and IC Markets both offer raw/zero spread accounts. On these accounts, HFM quotes a minimum spread of 0.0 pips and charges a commission of $3.0 per side per lot, whereas IC Markets offers a minimum spread of 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.5 per side per lot.
Ultra-tight spreads on raw accounts is achieved by shifting most costs into commissions, so your effective cost is the live spread plus the per-side fee. Since spreads move with liquidity and volatility, always check each broker’s website for the most current figures before you trade.
Other Features
HFM vs IC Markets: Wrapping Up the Comparison
HFM and IC Markets are longstanding, globally regulated brokers, founded in 2010 and 2007 respectively. HFM operates under the FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), CMA (Kenya), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (United Kingdom) and DFSA (Dubai, UAE), while IC Markets is supervised by the ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles), CMA (Kenya) and SCB (Bahamas).
HFM sets a minimum deposit of $0 and offers several trading platforms, including MT4, MT5 and HFM App. In contrast, IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 and offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. IC Markets provides a wider range of market products, with 2,250+ instruments, while HFM provides 500+.
Both brokers include a Standard Account, a demo account, and an Islamic (swap-free) option. HFM also features Cent, Pro and Pro Plus, and includes a Zero Spread account. IC Markets features Starter, Raw Pro and Raw Pro +, and also offers a Raw Spread account. Copy trading is available with both brokers. Pricing differs across the brokers. For EUR/USD, the minimum spreads on the standard account start from 1.4 pips at HFM versus 0.8 pips at IC Markets.
Overall, HFM attracts traders focused on account variety and low entry costs, whereas IC Markets appeals to those after wider markets and narrow spreads already on a standard account.
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