Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM vs IUX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Founded in 2010, HFM stands out in the online brokerage landscape with a notable trust score of 86 out of 99, earning it a "trusted" rating according to ForexBrokers.com. HFM is not publicly traded nor a banking institution, yet it does have a strong regulatory foundation with two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses. This positioning within the industry emphasizes its stability and trustworthiness for clients seeking reliable trading partnerships.
On the other hand, IUX, established in 2016, presents a slightly different profile, with a ForexBrokers.com trust score of 78, placing it in the "average risk" category. Like HFM, IUX is not publicly listed nor a banking institution, but it holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license. While its regulatory standing is solid, IUX's score suggests a moderate level of risk for potential investors and traders compared to HFM.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
HFM and IUX both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but IUX ranks higher (#19 of 63) than HFM (#28 of 63) with ForexBrokers.com. In simple terms, IUX tends to offer slightly sharper pricing across more account types, while HFM’s costs lean a bit higher than the industry average.
HFM’s pricing is straightforward but not the cheapest. The company cites a typical spread of 1.2 pips on its standard accounts, though no date range is provided—so the true average could be higher. Its Zero account targets an effective cost of about 0.7 pips after commission, but that figure is also not an average. Overall, HFM’s commissions and fees are a touch above the market norm (Rating: 4/5 stars; Rank: #28/63).
IUX’s fees depend on the account you choose. Standard and Standard+ accounts require just $10 to start; Standard+ supports deposit bonuses but uses wider spreads, while the Standard account skips promos for lower spreads. Active traders can opt for the $500-minimum Pro (spread-only) or Raw (commission) accounts. IUX lists average EUR/USD spreads of 0.9 pips on Standard, 0.7 pips on Pro, and about 0.6 pips effective on Raw after its $6 per 100,000 units commission—though no date ranges are provided. This mix makes IUX competitively priced, especially the Pro account, without beating the very cheapest brokers (Rating: 4/5 stars; Rank: #19/63).
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 10 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.8 | 0.86 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | 0.6 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
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HFM vs IUX: both brokers let you trade forex via CFDs or spot contracts, and both support cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual delivered crypto). HFM offers a wider product list overall, with 500 tradeable symbols and 102 forex pairs, compared to IUX’s 152 symbols and 34 forex pairs. Neither broker offers U.S.-listed exchange-traded shares, but IUX stands out by letting clients buy exchange-traded securities on select international exchanges, which HFM does not provide.
For extras, HFM includes copy trading while IUX does not. Based on Range of Investments, ForexBrokers.com rates HFM at 4 stars (ranked #28 out of 63) and IUX at 3.5 stars (ranked #35 out of 63). If you want more markets and copy trading, HFM is the broader pick; if you need access to certain international exchange-traded shares (non-CFD), IUX has that edge.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 152 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 34 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
HFM and IUX both cover the basics well for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account for simulated (paper) trading, an in-house platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. Both also support MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and let you place trades directly from a chart. Key differences: HFM includes copy trading and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while IUX lacks copy trading and does not offer MT4. The number of built-in technical indicators and watch list fields was not specified for either broker.
For overall quality of platforms and tools, HFM is rated 4 stars and ranked #33 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IUX holds 3.5 stars and ranks #35. If you need MT4 and want copy trading, HFM is the better fit; if you trade on MT5 and want similar desktop and web access with an in-house platform, IUX can still meet your needs.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and IUX both offer iPhone and Android mobile trading apps. HFM includes stock and forex price alerts, while IUX does not. Neither app syncs watchlists with the online account, so edits you make on mobile won’t carry over automatically to the web platform.
For charting, HFM’s app supplies 30 technical studies and lets you draw trendlines, with drawings auto-saved. IUX offers a larger library of 106 technical studies but does not support drawing trendlines; drawings do auto-save. In ratings, HFM’s mobile app scores 4 out of 5 stars versus 3.5 for IUX. According to ForexBrokers.com, HFM ranks 32nd out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while IUX ranks 35th.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 106 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing HFM vs IUX for market research: HFM stands out with daily market commentary, forex news from outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental insights, and a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning across instruments. Both brokers provide an economic calendar, while neither offers Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools.
These differences show up in the scores: HFM earns 4 stars for Research and ranks #18 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IUX receives 3 stars and ranks #35. If you want frequent market updates, headline-grade news, chart pattern scanning, and sentiment data in one place, HFM is the stronger choice. If you only need a basic calendar to track events, IUX covers that need.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing HFM and IUX, both brokers provide an easy way to get started with trading education. Each offers at least 10 beginner-focused videos that explain core trading topics in simple terms. HFM stands out by hosting ongoing client webinars at least once a month, giving newcomers a chance to learn live and ask questions, while IUX does not currently offer regular educational webinars.
If you plan to grow beyond the basics, HFM also supplies 10+ advanced videos for more experienced topics, whereas IUX lacks that level of advanced depth. Reflecting these differences, HFM earns 4 stars for Education and ranks #29 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com; IUX earns 3 stars and ranks #35. In short, HFM is better for a guided learning path with live sessions and room to progress, while IUX suits beginners who prefer self-paced video learning without webinars.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that HFM is better than IUX. HFM finished with an overall rank of #27, while IUX finished with an overall rank of #35.
Alongside its enhanced MetaTrader offering and quality research, HFM (HF Markets), previously known as HotForex, offers a proprietary copy trading platform, HFcopy, a proprietary HF mobile app, and a decent selection of over 1,000 CFDs and 47 forex pairs. Still, trading costs at HFM are slightly above the industry average.
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IUX
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 |
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In the HFM vs IUX comparison for cryptocurrency trading, neither online broker lets you buy actual delivered crypto, but both allow you to trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
Online brokers HFM and IUX compared: neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits/withdrawals, both support Skrill and bank wire transfers, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | HFM | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | IUX | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 500 | 152 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 102 | 34 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.8 | 0.86 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | 0.6 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 15 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 106 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
| Overall | HFM | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review | IUX Review |
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