- Max leverage
- 2,000:1
- Min deposit
- $0
- Bonus
- 20% deposit bonus
HFM vs M4Markets: Which Broker Is Better?
Short answer
Both start small, pay deposit bonuses and protect against negative balances. Pick M4Markets for the bigger bonus (50% on every deposit, up to $10,000) and up to 5000:1 on small positions, from Trinota Markets (Global) Ltd (Seychelles FSA SD035). Pick HFM for a cheaper spread-only account (EUR/USD around 1.4 pips against 1.6), a Zero account at $6 round trip and a group with FCA, CySEC, FSCA, Seychelles FSA and Kenya CMA licences.
- Max leverage
- 5,000:1
- Min deposit
- $5
- Bonus
- 50% deposit bonus
Comparison table
| Feature |  HFM |  M4Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Max leverage | 2,000:1 | 5,000:1 |
| Min deposit | $0 | $5 |
| Bonus | 20% top-up bonus on every deposit up to $5,000 | 50% credit bonus on each deposit, up to $10,000 |
| Account types | 5 types | 5 types |
| Platforms | MT4 / MT5 / HFM App | MT4 / MT5 |
| Licence | CySEC 183/12, FCA 801701, FSCA 46632, FSA SD015, CMA 155 | FSA Seychelles SD035 |
| Bonus offered | ✓ | ✓ |
| No-deposit bonus | None | None listed publicly |
| Deposit bonus | 20% top-up on every deposit, up to $5,000 | 50% credit bonus on every deposit to a verified account, c… |
| Negative balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stop-out level | 20% | 20% |
| USD/JPY spread | 2.7 pips | 2.25 pips |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.4 pips | 1.6 pips |
| EUR/USD spread (low-spread account, no commission) | 0.9 pips | No such account |
| Gold spread | 38 pips | 25.8 pips |
| USD/JPY spread (raw account) | 0.1 pips | 0.65 pips |
| EUR/USD spread (raw account) | 0 pips | 0.4 pips |
| Commission (per lot, round turn) | 6 | 7 |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant, crypto within 24 hours | Usually processed within 24 working hours |
| Deposit & withdrawal methods | Bank wire, cards | Bank transfer |
| ECN account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cent account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| EAs allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto CFDs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stock CFDs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local-language support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rebates and loyalty | HFM Loyalty Program | Loyalty programme: points set your tier |
The short answer
These two have a lot in common: low entry points, deposit bonuses, negative balance protection, 20% stop-outs and very high leverage. M4Markets is more generous on bonus and leverage; HFM is cheaper on its spread-only account and has the stronger group behind it.
1. Licences: group strength versus your contract
HFM group companies hold licences from CySEC (183/12), the UK FCA (801701), South Africa’s FSCA (46632), the Seychelles FSA (SD015) and Kenya’s CMA (155). That’s a stronger line-up than most offshore brands, and the FCA and CySEC companies are subject to strict client-money and compensation rules, for their own UK and EU clients.
M4Markets names the company international clients sign with: Trinota Markets (Global) Ltd, Seychelles FSA SD035. Its group CySEC licence (Harindale Ltd, 301/16) is tied to m4markets.eu, and its DFSA licence to a Dubai company.
So in both cases an international account sits with an offshore company. At HFM, your client agreement names it. Background: broker licences explained and the Seychelles FSA guide.
2. M4Markets’ offer
- Five accounts: Standard ($5), Raw Spread ($500), Premium ($10,000), Dynamic Leverage ($5), Cent ($5)
- Leverage: 5000:1 on FX majors up to 1 lot (Dynamic), 1000:1 on Standard and Cent, 500:1 on Raw Spread and Premium
- Average EUR/USD spread: 1.6 pips on Standard; 0.4 pips on Raw Spread and Premium plus commission
- Bonus: 50% credit on each deposit, up to $10,000
- Withdrawals: usually processed within 24 working hours; e-wallets instant, cards and wire 1–5 business days
- Negative balance protection for retail clients
Details on the M4Markets review and M4Markets account types.
3. HFM’s offer
- Five accounts: Cent (no minimum), Premium ($0), Pro ($100), Zero ($0), InfinityX ($500); a Top-up Bonus account in some countries
- Leverage: up to 2000:1, 1000:1 on the bonus account, reduced from 15 minutes before to 5 minutes after major news
- Average EUR/USD spread: about 1.4 pips on Premium; Zero from 0.0 pips plus $6 round trip
- Bonus: 20% on every deposit, up to $5,000, on the Top-up Bonus account
- Withdrawals: e-wallets instant, crypto within 24 hours, bank wires and cards 2–10 business days, no HFM fee
- Negative balance protection and a 20% stop-out
Spreads are typical review-site figures, not an official HFM average. Our HFM review and is HFM safe? cover the group in more detail.
Verdict
- Wants the bigger bonus or maximum leverage on small positions: M4Markets
- Wants lower spread-only costs or raw pricing: HFM
- Values a group with UK and EU licences: HFM, as long as you check which company opens your account
Compare more brokers on the safest brokers list and the deposit bonus comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is HFM safer than M4Markets?
HFM's group holds more and stronger licences, including the UK FCA and CySEC. But international clients of either broker deal with an offshore company. At M4Markets that is Trinota Markets (Global) Ltd (Seychelles FSA SD035); at HFM it's an offshore group company named in the client agreement, not the FCA or CySEC firm.
Which has higher leverage?
M4Markets offers up to 5000:1 on FX majors for positions up to 1 lot on its Dynamic Leverage account. HFM goes to 2000:1, with 1000:1 on its Top-up Bonus account.
Does HFM have a bonus like M4Markets?
Yes, but smaller. HFM pays 20% on every deposit, up to $5,000, on its Top-up Bonus account. M4Markets pays a 50% credit bonus on every deposit up to $10,000.
Which is cheaper to trade?
On spread-only accounts, HFM: EUR/USD averages about 1.4 pips on Premium against 1.6 on M4Markets Standard. HFM's Zero account adds 0.0-pip pricing at $6 per lot round trip.
