HFM vs Tickmill

Unsure whether HFM or Tickmill is the better fit for your trading style? This broker comparison between HFM and Tickmill reviews regulation and safety, spreads and costs, platforms and tools, tradable markets, deposits and withdrawals, account types, and other essentials to help you decide.

Who is HFM?

HFM, previously known as HotForex, started in 2010 and has evolved into a global multi-asset broker serving millions of traders worldwide. Focusing on accessible and secure market participation, it provides forex and a wide range of CFDs across various account types to a large international client base. The official website is www.hfm.com.

The minimum deposit required to start trading with HFM is $0.

Your capital is at risk. Leveraged products may not be suitable for everyone.

Who is Tickmill?

Tickmill, founded in 2014, is a global forex and CFD broker known for its strong regulatory framework, fast trade execution, and client-focused approach, catering to both retail and professional traders. The broker offers access to a wide range of major markets through popular trading platforms and advanced tools. The official website is www.tickmill.com.

The minimum deposit required to start trading is $100.

72% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

HFM vs Tickmill Side-by-Side Comparison

Year Established:
2010
2014
Regulations:
FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), CMA (Kenya), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (United Kingdom) and DFSA (Dubai, UAE)
FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), DFSA (UAE), FSA (Seychelles) and FSCA (South Africa)
Local Offices in:
Kingstown and Larnaca
Johannesburg, Victoria, London, Dubai and Limassol
Trading Platforms:
MT4, MT5 and HFM App
MT4, MT5, TradingView and Tickmill Trader
Minimum Deposit:
$0
$100
Account Base Currency:
USD, NGN, INR, KES, TBH, JPY, ZAR, SGD and PHP
USD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CHF and ZAR
Broker Type:
Hybrid model (A+B Book)
Hybrid model (A+B Book)
Copy Trading:
Yes (HFCopy)
Yes (Tickmill Social Trading and ZuluTrade)
Payment Methods:
Credit and debit cards, bank wire transfers, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Fasapay), crypto and mobile money
Credit and debit cards, bank transfers, crypto, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Paypal, Trustly) and crypto

HFM, founded in 2010, is regulated by the FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), CMA (Kenya), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (United Kingdom) and DFSA (Dubai, UAE) and maintains local offices in Kingstown and Larnaca. The broker supports a multi-platform setup with MT4, MT5 and HFM App, the minimum deposit to start trading with real funds is set at $0, and traders can choose account base currencies such as USD, NGN, INR, KES, TBH, JPY, ZAR, SGD and PHP.

The broker operates under a hybrid model (A+B Book), aiming to balance execution quality and pricing. Funding options cover credit and debit cards, bank wire transfers, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Fasapay), crypto and mobile money, giving flexibility for regional and international clients. 

In comparison, Tickmill, established in 2014, is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), DFSA (UAE), FSA (Seychelles) and FSCA (South Africa) and operates local offices in Johannesburg, Victoria, London, Dubai and Limassol. It offers platform access to MT4, MT5, TradingView and Tickmill Trader. Opening a real account requires a minimum deposit of $100, and base currencies are available in USD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CHF and ZAR.

The company also follows a hybrid model (A+B Book), providing a balance between direct market access and internal liquidity. For deposits and withdrawals, clients can use credit and debit cards, bank transfers, crypto, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Paypal, Trustly) and crypto. 

HFM vs Tickmill Market Instruments

Total number of market instruments:
500+
600+
Tradable CFD Assets:
Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, etfs, crypto and bonds
Forex, stocks, indices, commodities, etfs and cryptocurrencies
Forex Pairs:
50+
60+
Stocks:
89
490
Indices:
20+
19
Commodities:
10+
19
Cryptocurrencies:
10
13

Your capital is at risk. Leveraged products may not be suitable for everyone.

72% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

HFM lists 500+ market instruments, with CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, stocks, etfs, crypto and bonds. The lineup includes around 50+ forex pairs, 89 stocks, 20+ indices, 10+ commodities, and 10 crypto pairs.

Tickmill offers a slightly broader selection, with 600+ assets available. offering CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, commodities, etfs and cryptocurrencies, spanning roughly 60+ forex pairs, 490 stocks, 19 indices, 19 commodities, and 13 crypto pairs.

HFM vs Tickmill Account Types

Standard Account:
Yes
Yes
Raw Spread Account:
No
Yes
Zero Spread Account:
Yes
No
Demo Account:
Yes
Yes
Islamic (swap-free) account:
Yes
Yes
Other Account Types:
Cent, Pro and Pro Plus
No

HFM vs Tickmill Spreads Comparison

This comparison focuses on minimum and average spreads on standard accounts for HFM and Tickmill. Actual spreads vary with account type, liquidity, and volatility, so it is best to confirm the latest figures on each broker’s website before trading.

Looking at minimum spreads, HFM lists EUR/USD from 1.4 pips versus Tickmill at 1.6 pips. For GBP/USD the minimum is 1.6 pips at HFM against 1.6 pips at Tickmill. USD/CAD starts from 1.9 pips at HFM compared with 1.6 pips at Tickmill, while CAD/JPY is 2.2 pips at HFM versus 1.6 pips at Tickmill.

Regarding commodity spreads at HFM, XAU/USD (Gold) begins at $0.25, WTI Crude Oil starts from $0.03, and Bitcoin shows minimum spreads from $18. At Tickmill, XAU/USD (Gold) is N/A, WTI Crude Oil is N/A, and Bitcoin is N/A.

Neither HFM nor Tickmill provide information on average spreads for their standard accounts.

HFM vs Tickmill Minimum Spreads Comparison

EUR/USD:
1.4 pips
1.6 pips
GBP/USD:
1.6 pips
1.6 pips
USD/CAD:
1.9 pips
1.6 pips
CAD/JPY:
2.2 pips
1.6 pips
XAU/USD (Gold):
$0.25
N/A
WTI Crude Oil:
$0.03
N/A
Bitcoin:
$18
N/A

HFM vs Tickmill Average Spreads Comparison

EUR/USD:
N/A
N/A
GBP/USD:
N/A
N/A
XAU/USD (Gold):
N/A
N/A

Costs on Raw/Zero Spread Account

HFM and Tickmill both provide raw/zero spread account options. On these accounts, HFM quotes a minimum spread of 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.0 per side per lot, while Tickmill also offers a minimum spread of 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.0 per side per lot.

This structure keeps spreads ultra-low while shifting part of the cost into commissions. Because spreads respond to liquidity and volatility, always check each broker’s website for current pricing and any fee changes.

Minimum Spread:
0.0 pips
0.0 pips
Commission per side per lot:
$3.0
$3.0

Other Features

Customer Support:
Live chat, email, and telephone (24/5) in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and additional languages
24/5 Multilingual customer support via live chat, phone and e-mail
Scalping:
Yes
Yes
Hedging:
Yes
Yes
Education:
Daily Webinars (in multiple languages) , market analysis, video tutorials, and educational articles
Video tutorials, market analysis through YouTube videos and blog articles

Your capital is at risk. Leveraged products may not be suitable for everyone.

72% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

HFM vs Tickmill: Wrapping Up the Comparison

HFM and Tickmill are established global brokers, founded in 2010 and 2014. HFM is regulated by the FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), CMA (Kenya), CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (United Kingdom) and DFSA (Dubai, UAE), while Tickmill is overseen by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), DFSA (UAE), FSA (Seychelles) and FSCA (South Africa). Platform coverage is broad: HFM supports MT4, MT5 and HFM App; Tickmill provides MT4, MT5, TradingView and Tickmill Trader.

Funding and pricing differ. HFM sets a lower entry point with a minimum deposit of $0, compared with Tickmill’s $100. In terms of market breadth, HFM lists 500+ instruments, and Tickmill goes up to 600+. On EUR/USD, minimum spreads start from 1.4 pips at HFM and 1.6 pips at Tickmill.

Both brokers provide a Standard account, a demo account, and an Islamic swap-free option. Copy trading is available on both sides, via HFCopy at HFM and through Tickmill Social Trading and ZuluTrade at Tickmill. For variety, HFM also lists additional account types such as Cent, Pro and Pro Plus, whereas Tickmill does not advertise extra formats beyond its main accounts.

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