- Max leverage
- 2,000:1
- Min deposit
- Standard from about $10
- Bonus
- None
Exness vs HFM: Which Broker Is Better?
Short answer
Both offer 2000:1, a $0 entry point and negative balance protection. Pick Exness for lower spreads (EUR/USD around 0.8 pips on Standard), unlimited leverage on small balances and automated withdrawals. Pick HFM for a 20% top-up deposit bonus, a Cent account and a group with FCA and CySEC licences in the background. Offshore clients of either deal with an offshore company.
- Max leverage
- 2,000:1
- Min deposit
- $0
- Bonus
- 20% deposit bonus
Comparison table
| Feature |  Exness |  HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Max leverage | 2,000:1 | 2,000:1 |
| Min deposit | Standard from about $10 | $0 |
| Bonus | None | 20% top-up bonus on every deposit up to $5,000 |
| Account types | 5 types | 5 types |
| Platforms | MT4 / MT5 / Exness Terminal / Exness Trade app | MT4 / MT5 / HFM App |
| Licence | FSA Seychelles SD025, CBCS Curaçao, FSC BVI, FSC Belize, F… | CySEC 183/12, FCA 801701, FSCA 46632, FSA SD015, CMA 155 |
| Bonus offered | ✗ | ✓ |
| No-deposit bonus | None | None |
| Deposit bonus | None | 20% top-up on every deposit, up to $5,000 |
| Negative balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stop-out level | 0% | 20% |
| USD/JPY spread | 1 pips | 2.7 pips |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.8 pips | 1.4 pips |
| EUR/USD spread (low-spread account, no commission) | 0.6 pips | 0.9 pips |
| Gold spread | 16 pips | 38 pips |
| USD/JPY spread (raw account) | 0.1 pips | 0.1 pips |
| EUR/USD spread (raw account) | 0.2 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission (per lot, round turn) | 7 | 6 |
| Withdrawal time | Over 98% of withdrawals processed automatically | E-wallets instant, crypto within 24 hours |
| Deposit & withdrawal methods | Cards | Bank wire, cards |
| ECN account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cent account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| EAs allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto CFDs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stock CFDs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local-language support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rebates and loyalty | Exness Rewards | HFM Loyalty Program |
The short answer
These are two of the biggest offshore brands, and on leverage they’re level at 2000:1. Exness wins on cost and withdrawal speed; HFM wins on bonus and on the depth of its group licences.
1. Licences
HFM group: CySEC 183/12, FCA 801701, FSCA 46632, Seychelles FSA SD015, CMA 155. Exness group: Seychelles FSA SD025, Exness B.V. (Curaçao CBCS, 0003LSI), Exness (VG) Ltd (BVI FSC), Forexite Ltd. (Belize FSC, 9110312), Exness (MU) Ltd (Mauritius FSC, GB20025294).
HFM’s list includes UK and EU regulators, but those companies serve UK and EU clients. For an international account, both brokers use an offshore group company, named in your client agreement. An offshore licence gives limited protection; it doesn’t carry the compensation schemes of the FCA or CySEC. See licences explained.
2. Leverage and accounts
| Item | Exness |
HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum leverage | 2000:1; unlimited on equity under $5,000 (after 10 orders, 5 lots) | 2000:1; Top-up Bonus account 1000:1 |
| Minimum deposit | Standard: none (method minimum); Pro accounts $200 | $0; InfinityX $500 |
| Accounts | Standard, Standard Cent, Pro, Raw Spread, Zero | Cent, Premium, Pro, Zero, InfinityX |
| Stop-out | 0% | 20% |
| Negative balance protection | Yes | Yes |
3. Costs
On the spread-only accounts, EUR/USD averages about 0.8 pips at Exness (Standard) and 1.4 pips at HFM (Premium). The raw accounts are close: Exness Raw Spread at about 0.2 pips plus $7 round trip, HFM Zero at 0.0 pips plus $6. Gold averages about $0.16 at Exness and $0.38 at HFM. These are typical review-site figures, not official averages. Spreads compared.
4. Bonus and withdrawals
HFM pays a 20% top-up on every deposit, up to $5,000, on its Top-up Bonus account. Exness has no bonus. Exness says over 98% of withdrawals are processed automatically; HFM pays e-wallets instantly, crypto within 24 hours and bank wires or cards in 2–10 business days, with no HFM fee.
Verdict
- Wants the lowest spreads and fastest withdrawals: Exness
- Wants a deposit bonus or a group with UK and EU licences: HFM, but check which company opens your account
- Scalpers on raw accounts: close to a tie; compare the commission and live spreads on your pairs
Frequently asked questions
Is HFM safer than Exness because it has an FCA licence?
Only if you're served by the FCA-regulated company. Offshore clients contract with another group company, at HFM as at Exness, so the FCA and CySEC licences don't cover an international account. Check the company named in your client agreement.
Which has higher leverage?
Both go to 2000:1. Exness adds unlimited leverage on equity under $5,000 after 10 closed orders totalling 5 lots; HFM caps its Top-up Bonus account at 1000:1 and restricts leverage around major news.
Does Exness have negative balance protection?
Yes, Exness states it on its site. HFM's international accounts have it too, according to the MetaTrader 5 broker directory.
