Exante vs HFM: Comparison and Analysis

Exante vs HFM: A Comparison of Brokers

When it comes to choosing a broker, traders need to weigh up a variety of factors, including security, markets, fees, platforms, and educational resources. In this comparison, we will take a closer look at two well-regarded brokers, Exante and HFM, across these key areas.

Security

Exante is regulated by several reputable bodies, including MFSA, CySEC, and SFC, while HFM is regulated by FCA, CySEC, DFSA, FSCA, FSA (Seychelles), CMA, and SVG. Both brokers have high security ratings of 94, which should provide traders with peace of mind. However, it’s worth noting that HFM does not accept US traders, whereas Exante does not specify whether it accepts them or not.

Demo Accounts

Both Exante and HFM offer unlimited demo accounts, which is a plus for traders who want to practise their strategies without risking real money. However, Exante’s demo account comes with virtual funds of $1,000,000, which is significantly higher than HFM’s $100,000. Additionally, Exante does not specify whether traders can replenish their virtual funds upon request, while HFM does.

Account Opening

Exante offers a variety of account types, including standard, corporate, and professional accounts, while HFM offers Micro, Premium, Zero Spread, Auto, HFCOPY, Islamic, and Premium Pro accounts. Exante’s minimum deposit is not specified, while HFM’s minimum deposit varies depending on the account type, ranging from $5 to $500. Both brokers offer a range of payment methods, including wire transfers, credit/debit cards, eWallets, and cryptocurrencies. Exante offers a wider range of account currencies than HFM, with 14 options available.

Social-Copy Trading

Exante offers social trading, but the details are not specified on their website. On the other hand, HFM offers its HFCOPY service, which allows traders to copy the trades of successful traders. HFCOPY is available via MT4, WebTrader, and Mobile App, which makes it accessible to a wider range of traders than Exante’s social trading.

Markets

Exante offers an impressive range of CFD markets, including 50 forex pairs, 5 commodities, 10 indices, 30 cryptocurrencies, 24,000+ stocks, 500+ futures, 270,000+ options, 200 hedge funds, and 9 bonds. HFM also offers a good range of CFD markets, with 53 forex pairs, 13 commodities, 11 indices, 19 cryptocurrencies, 115 stocks (1,898 real stocks), 34 ETFs, and 19 futures and options. Both brokers offer a variety of CFDs and real assets, making them suitable for both short-term and long-term investment.

Trading Fees

Exante’s spreads are variable, with the spread on forex starting from 0.3 pips and the commission on stock trading starting from 0.02 USD. HFM’s spreads are also variable, with the spread on forex starting from 0.1 pip for Zero Spread account holders. Additionally, HFM offers zero commission fees on stock trading, with the possibility of investing from $5. Trading fees depend on the account type chosen by the trader.

Platforms

Exante offers a proprietary trading platform that is available on web and mobile devices, while HFM offers its HFM App via Mobile, as well as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) on web, desktop, and mobile devices. Both brokers allow traders to engage in algo trading, with HFM also offering VPS services.

Education/Customer Care

Exante does not provide educational materials on their website, although they do offer market news and live events scheduled. HFM, on the other hand, provides extensive educational resources, including articles, video tutorials, webinars, eBooks, and market analysis. This could be a significant factor for traders who are looking for a broker that can provide educational resources to help improve their trading skills. Both brokers offer customer support via phone, live chat, and email. HFM’s customer care is available 24/5 and in over 20 languages, while Exante’s customer support availability is not specified on their website.

Conclusion

Overall, Exante and HFM are both solid brokers with a good range of markets and security measures in place. While Exante offers a wider range of CFD markets and account currencies, HFM offers more account types and a better selection of educational resources. In terms of demo accounts, Exante has a higher virtual funds amount, while HFM allows traders to replenish their virtual funds upon request. HFM also has an advantage in terms of social-copy trading, as they offer their HFCOPY service, which is accessible via multiple platforms. Trading fees and spreads are comparable for both brokers. Ultimately, traders should consider their specific needs and preferences to determine which broker is the best fit for them.