- Max leverage
- 2,000:1
- Min deposit
- $0
- Bonus
- 20% deposit bonus
HFM vs XS.com: Which Broker Is Better?
Short answer
Both groups hold top-tier licences elsewhere (FCA and CySEC for HFM; ASIC and CySEC for XS), but international clients deal with offshore companies; at XS that's XS Ltd (Seychelles FSA SD089). Both offer 2000:1, cent accounts, swap-free trading and negative balance protection. Pick XS.com for tighter spreads and 24-hour withdrawals; pick HFM for a 20% deposit bonus.
- Max leverage
- 2,000:1
- Min deposit
- No minimum
- Bonus
- None
Comparison table
| Feature |  HFM |  XS.com |
|---|---|---|
| Max leverage | 2,000:1 | 2,000:1 |
| Min deposit | $0 | No minimum |
| Bonus | 20% top-up bonus on every deposit up to $5,000 | No deposit bonus listed |
| Account types | 5 types | 5 types |
| Platforms | MT4 / MT5 / HFM App | MT4 / MT5 / XS Trading App |
| Licence | CySEC 183/12, FCA 801701, FSCA 46632, FSA SD015, CMA 155 | FSA Seychelles SD089 |
| Bonus offered | ✓ | ✗ |
| No-deposit bonus | None | None |
| Deposit bonus | 20% top-up on every deposit, up to $5,000 | None |
| Negative balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stop-out level | 20% | 20% |
| USD/JPY spread | 2.7 pips | 1.3 pips |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.4 pips | 1.1 pips |
| EUR/USD spread (low-spread account, no commission) | 0.9 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Gold spread | 38 pips | 20 pips |
| USD/JPY spread (raw account) | 0.1 pips | 0.2 pips |
| EUR/USD spread (raw account) | 0 pips | 0.1 pips |
| Commission (per lot, round turn) | 6 | 6 |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant, crypto within 24 hours | Typically processed within 24 hours, including weekends |
| Deposit & withdrawal methods | Bank wire, cards | Bank transfer, Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller and local… |
| 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 | XS Trading Miles: miles from trading, redeemable for cash |
The short answer
On features these two are closely matched. XS.com is cheaper to trade and faster to withdraw from; HFM offers a deposit bonus, which XS.com replaces with a loyalty scheme.
1. Licences
HFM group: CySEC 183/12, FCA 801701, FSCA 46632, Seychelles FSA SD015, CMA 155. XS group: ASIC, CySEC, FSA Seychelles, FSCA, LFSA, FSC Mauritius and the UAE CMA; XS Ltd (Seychelles FSA SD089) operates www.xs.com. Both look strong on paper, but each licence belongs to a different company, and the one serving international clients is an offshore entity with limited protection: safest brokers.
2. Accounts, leverage and costs
| Item | HFM |
XS.com |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts | Cent, Premium, Pro, Zero, InfinityX | Cent, Micro, Standard, Pro, Elite |
| Maximum leverage | 2000:1 | 2000:1, dynamic |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | None on the 1000:1 accounts |
| EUR/USD, spread-only (average) | about 1.4 pips | about 1.1 pips |
| Raw account | Zero: 0.0 pips + $6 | Elite: about 0.1 pips + $6 |
| Gold (average) | about $0.38 | about $0.20 |
| Bonus | 20% per deposit, up to $5,000 | None (Trading Miles loyalty) |
Spreads are typical figures, not official averages. Both offer swap-free accounts, copy trading and crypto CFDs, and both stop out at 20%.
3. Withdrawals
XS.com: typically processed within 24 hours, including weekends, with no XS fee. HFM: e-wallets instantly, crypto within 24 hours, bank wires and cards 2–10 business days, no HFM fee.
Verdict
- Wants lower costs and fast withdrawals: XS.com
- Wants a deposit bonus: HFM
- Either: check the contracting company in your client agreement and start with a small deposit
Frequently asked questions
Which is better regulated, HFM or XS.com?
Both groups hold top-tier licences, but those cover their UK, EU or Australian companies. International clients of www.xs.com deal with XS Ltd (Seychelles FSA SD089); HFM's international clients deal with an offshore group company named in the client agreement.
Which has higher leverage?
Both go to 2000:1. XS.com uses dynamic leverage up to 2000:1 at low equity or lot size; HFM offers 2000:1, with 1000:1 on its Top-up Bonus account and reduced leverage around major news.
Does either have a cent account?
Both do. XS.com's line-up is Cent, Micro, Standard, Pro and Elite; HFM's is Cent, Premium, Pro, Zero and InfinityX.
Do both protect against a negative balance?
Yes. XS.com's help centre explains that accounts can't go below zero, and the MetaTrader 5 broker directory lists negative balance protection for HFM.
