Practice · very small balance
Cent
- Minimum deposit
- $0
- 1 Lot
- 1,000 units (USC)
- Commission
- None
- Spread
- from 1.4 pips
- Instrument
- Forex · gold
Gold rebate / cent lot$0.1425
HFMBROKER REVIEW 1TRADER · 2026HFM Review 2026: Is it any good? Who it's for
An in-depth review of HFM (formerly HotForex) covering licensing, 5 account types, trading costs after rebates, deposits and withdrawals, and how to get 95% of the IB commission back, paid daily.
Disclosure: 1TRADER is an HFM rebate partner. If you open an account through a link on this page, HFM pays us a commission and we return 95% of it to you as a rebate, at no extra cost to you · Every figure has a reference number [1]–[7] linking to the sources at the end of the page
Contents · 11 sections
01 Summary
HFM Review Summary: Pros and Cons
HFM (formerly HotForex) is a broker founded in 2010. Its strengths are that most accounts have no minimum deposit, you can open an account in several local currencies, and accounts range from Cent for practice to Zero for scalpers.
Quick summary
- Minimum deposit $0 on Cent, Premium, Zero and Top-Up Bonus accounts; Pro from $100
- Spreads from 1.4 pip (Premium) · 0.6 pip (Pro) · 0.0 pip (Zero charges $3 per side per lot)
- Local online banking deposits in many countries, credited instantly, with no HFM deposit fee
- Open through 1TRADER for a rebate of 95% of the IB commission, paid daily, e.g. $14.25/lot on gold (Premium)
- Offshore-registered entity · Overall score 4.4/5 · suits small accounts and gold traders who want high rebates
4.4/ 5
Our verdict
HFM suits traders starting with a small balance, those who want local-currency funding, and anyone who mainly trades gold. The Premium account earns up to $14.25/lot on gold, while traders who want tight spreads can use the Zero or Pro account, though spreads on the standard account are still wider than at some brokers (see section 04)
+ HFM pros
- No minimum deposit on Cent, Premium, Zero and Top-Up Bonus accounts[2]
- Open an account in several local currencies where available, with instant online-banking deposits[7]
- Zero account: spreads from 0.0 pips on Forex and gold, with commission from $3 per side per lot[8]
- Negative balance protection, segregated client funds and $5 million civil liability insurance[6]
- A Swap-free option on some symbols (every account except Top-Up Bonus)[2]
- Supports MT4, MT5, WebTrader and the HFM app, with copy trading
- Open through 1TRADER for a rebate of 95% of the IB commission, paid daily, e.g. $14.25/lot on gold (Premium)
! Things to watch
- HFM is not licensed in every country it serves; its international website is run by an offshore-registered company
- Premium and Cent spreads start from 1.4 pips, wider than low-spread accounts at other brokers
- The Pro account requires a minimum deposit of $100
- The Top-Up bonus comes with conditions and is only available in some regions
- Leverage up to 1:2000 can increase losses very quickly
02 Regulation
Is HFM Safe? Licensing and Regulation
HFM operates through several companies in the HF Markets Group. The key thing is to know which company your account is held with.
HFM's international website is operated by HF Markets (SV) Ltd, registered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines as an International Business Company (IBC), registration number 22747 IBC 2015.[5] This kind of registration is not a broker licence from a financial regulator, so check the name of the company that holds your account in your sign-up documents.
Other group companies are licensed by regulators, namely the UK FCA, South Africa's FSCA, the Seychelles FSA and Kenya's CMA,[5] but each regulator's protection only applies to accounts held with that company.
SV
HF Markets (SV) LtdInternational siteregistered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines · 22747 IBC 2015
UK
HF Markets (UK) LtdFCA UK · 801701
ZA
HF Markets SA (PTY) LtdFSCA South Africa · 46632
SC
HF Markets (Seychelles) LtdFSA Seychelles · SD015
KE
HFM Investments LtdCMA Kenya · 155
03 Account Types
HFM Account Types: Which One Should You Choose?
HFM has 5 main accounts: Cent, Premium, Pro, Zero and Top-Up Bonus. Every account works on MT4, MT5, WebTrader and the HFM app, with maximum leverage of 1:2000 (Top-Up Bonus 1:1000)[2] Answer the 2 questions below to see which account suits you.
QUIZ Which HFM account suits you?
Choose your answers We'll suggest the right account for you instantly
Recommended
Cent
Your balance is shown in cents (USC), and 1 lot = 1,000 units, so you can trade Forex and gold in very small sizes. Ideal for your first real-money trades.
Gold rebate $0.1425 / Cent LotRecommended
Premium
No minimum deposit, no commission, and the highest gold rebate of HFM's standard accounts.
Gold rebate $14.25 / LotRecommended
Zero
Spreads from 0.0 pips on Forex and gold, with commission from $3 per side per lot and no minimum deposit. Suits scalpers and EAs.
Gold rebate $6.65 / LotRecommended
Top-Up Bonus
No commission, a bonus under HFM's terms, and higher Forex rebates than Premium, e.g. $9.50/lot on EURUSD.
Gold rebate $14.25 / LotRecommended
Pro
Spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, so costs are easy to work out. Suits frequent traders with $100 or more.
Gold rebate $6.65 / LotPopular · beginner to everyday
Premium
- Minimum deposit
- $0
- 1 Lot
- 100,000 units
- Commission
- None
- Spread
- from 1.4 pips
- Account currency
- USD · EUR · THB
Gold rebate / lot$14.25
No commission · tight spreads
Pro
- Minimum deposit
- $100
- 1 Lot
- 100,000 units
- Commission
- None
- Spread
- from 0.6 pips
- Account currency
- USD · EUR · THB
Gold rebate / lot$6.65
Scalping · EA · frequent trading
Zero
- Minimum deposit
- $0
- 1 Lot
- 100,000 units
- Commission
- $3/side (Forex)
- Spread
- from 0.0 pips
- Account currency
- USD · EUR · THB
Gold rebate / lot$6.65
Want a bonus · no commission
Top-Up Bonus
- Minimum deposit
- $0
- 1 Lot
- 100,000 units
- Commission
- None
- Spread
- from 1.4 pips
- Max leverage
- 1:1000
Gold rebate / lot$14.25
Minimum deposits, spreads, contract sizes and leverage per HFM's account comparison page.[2] Zero account commission per the Zero account page[8] · All accounts have a 50% margin call and 20% stop out · Rebate rates from 1TRADER partner data[3] · See every symbol on the HFM rebate page
04 Trading Cost
HFM Trading Costs After Rebates
Premium and Pro accounts charge no commission, so the main cost is the Spread. The Zero account charges a commission instead of a wide spread. Rebates are paid automatically every day, returning part of the cost on every trade and lowering your net cost per lot.
Minimum cost per lot · EURUSD
Based on HFM's lowest stated spreads: Premium 1.4 pips / Pro 0.6 pips · Zero: $6 round-turn commission + raw spread (1 pip = $10 per lot). Real costs are higher when spreads widen.
PremiumSpread $14.00
$5.45Rebate $8.55
ProSpread $6.00
$2.20$3.80
ZeroCommission $6.00
$2.20+$3.80
Net cost you actually payAmount returned as rebate
EURUSD: Pro and Zero have the lowest net cost, about $2.20 per lot (Zero plus raw spread)
Rebate per lot on popular symbols
Paid automatically every day · fixed rate per lot · Cent accounts earn 1/100 per cent lot
| Instrument | PREMIUM | PRO / ZERO | TOP-UP |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTCUSDBitcoin | $19.00 | $7.60 | $19.00 |
| XAUUSDGold | $14.25 | $6.65 | $14.25 |
| XAGUSDSilver | $11.40 | $6.65 | $11.40 |
| EURUSDEuro | $8.55 | $3.80 | $9.50 |
| GBPUSDPound | $8.55 | $3.80 | $9.50 |
| USDJPYYen | $8.55 | $3.80 | $9.50 |
| USA30Dow Jones index | $1.19 | $1.19 | $1.19 |
HFM rebates through 1TRADER use fixed per-lot rates, regardless of the spread when you trade.[3] Premium and Top-Up Bonus accounts earn about twice as much per lot as Pro and Zero, but their spreads are wider too. If you mainly trade gold and don't want to pay commission, Premium returns the most; scalpers who want the tightest spreads should choose Zero or Pro.
Spreads used in the calculation are HFM's lowest published values.[2] Actual spreads float with time of day and market conditions and can widen sharply around major news.
MT4
MetaTrader 4
The popular, easy-to-use platform with a huge choice of EAs and indicators
Best for: Beginners · EA users
MT5
MetaTrader 5
More timeframes and tools than MT4, with every asset class supported
Best for: Multi-asset trading
WEB
HFM WebTrader
Trade straight from your web browser with nothing to install
Best for: Web trading
APP
HFM app
HFM's mobile app: trade, deposit, withdraw and manage multiple accounts from one wallet
Best for: Mobile trading
06 Deposit & Withdrawal
HFM Deposits and Withdrawals
Deposit and withdraw in myHFM (the trader area) or the HFM app. Funds go into your wallet first, then you transfer them to a trading account. The available methods (such as online banking, bank transfer and crypto) depend on your account's country.[7]
HFM deposit feesFreeexcl. crypto network fees[7]
Local online bankingmany countrieswhere available · instant[7]
Withdrawals24/7Processed daily, 24h[6]
Account currencyTHBincl. local currencies[2]
Good to know: Complete identity verification (KYC) with a government-issued photo ID and proof of address before depositing large amounts. You must use a bank account or wallet in the same name as your HFM account. Withdrawal times and fees for each method are shown in the trader area, and if you have a bonus, withdrawing may reduce it under the bonus terms.
07 Compare
HFM vs Exness and XM
The 3 brokers 1TRADER partners with each stand out in different areas. See the full comparison on the Forex broker reviews page
| Compare | HFM | Exness | XM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebate via 1TRADER | 95% paid daily | 95% paid daily | 90% paid daily |
| Gold rebate / lot | $14.25 Premium | $12.83 Standard Plus | $18 Standard |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $10 | $5 |
| Raw-spread account | ✓Zero | ✓Raw Spread · Zero | ✕None |
| Max leverage | 1:2000 | Unlimited (conditions apply) | 1:1000 |
| Deposit bonus | ✓Top-Up Bonus account | ✕None | ✓Per promotions |
| Stop Out | 20% | 0% | 20% (Standard) |
Exness and XM data from the Exness review, XM review and 1TRADER's broker overview · Terms may change per broker announcements
08 Who is it for
Who Is HFM For?
A good fit for
- Beginners with a small balance who want to start with no minimum deposit or practise on a Cent account
- Gold traders who want a high rebate per lot (Premium $14.25/lot)
- Traders who want a local-currency account where available
- Scalpers and EA traders who pair the Zero account with a rebate
May not suit
- Traders who want low spreads on a commission-free account but have less than $100 (Premium starts at 1.4 pips)
- Traders who want European- or UK-level licence protection on their own account
- Traders who use very high leverage without a risk management plan
09 How to start
How to Open an HFM Account and Get Rebates
It takes less than 10 minutes. Open through the 1TRADER link so your account is under partner code 322797
-
Click the sign-up link
Sign up with HFM through the 1TRADER link and check that the partner code (Referral ID) on the sign-up page is 322797
Open an HFM account322797 -
Verify your identity
Upload a government-issued photo ID and proof of address in the myHFM trader area
-
Open a trading account & notify us on LINE
Choose MT4/MT5 and an account type, then send your trading account number to LINE @1trader and our team will link it for rebates
-
Deposit & start trading
Fund your account (most accounts have no minimum), start trading and get rebates automatically every day on both winning and losing trades
10 FAQ
HFM FAQ
Is HFM legitimate and safe?
HF Markets Group has companies licensed by the UK FCA, South Africa's FSCA, the Seychelles FSA and Kenya's CMA, while the international website is operated by HF Markets (SV) Ltd, registered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. HFM offers negative balance protection, segregated client funds and $5 million civil liability insurance, but it is not licensed in every country, and it does not serve residents of certain jurisdictions, including the US, Canada, the UAE and Türkiye. Only invest money you can afford to lose.
What is the HFM minimum deposit?
Cent, Premium, Zero and Top-Up Bonus accounts have no minimum deposit, while the Pro account requires $100. Some local payment methods set their own minimum deposit.
Which HFM account earns the most rebate?
On gold, Premium and Top-Up Bonus earn the same $14.25 per lot. On Forex, Top-Up Bonus earns the most, e.g. $9.50 per lot on EURUSD (Premium $8.55). Pro and Zero earn $6.65 per lot on gold because their spreads or costs are lower.
What fees does HFM charge?
Cent, Premium, Pro and Top-Up Bonus accounts have no commission; the main costs are the spread and swap if you hold overnight (a swap-free option is available on some symbols, except on Top-Up Bonus). The Zero account charges a $6 round-turn commission per lot on Forex and $10 per lot on gold. HFM charges no deposit fees.
I already have an HFM account. Can I get rebates?
Contact LINE @1trader with your trading account number and our team will check eligibility first. Accounts opened with another partner may not be transferable. The easiest way is to open a new account through the 1TRADER link (code 322797).
What is the HFM Top-Up Bonus account?
It is HFM's only account that earns a deposit bonus under HFM's terms. It has no commission, spreads from 1.4 pips, maximum leverage of 1:1000 and no swap-free option. Bonus terms vary by region and may change, so read the latest terms on HFM's promotions page before claiming.
11 Sources & Fact-check
Sources and Fact-Checking
We rely mainly on HFM's official website, together with 1TRADER partner data, and recommend checking the latest terms in your HFM trader area before opening an account. Last checked 10 Oct 2026
Sources
- HFM — About HFM and homepageOfficial · founded 2010, 4 million client accounts, 500+ instruments, spreads from 0.0 pips
- HFM — Compare trading accountsOfficial · 5 accounts, minimum deposit, spreads, leverage, margin call / stop out, account currencies, swap-free
- 1TRADER — HFM rebate ratesPartner data · per-lot rebate rates for every account, paid automatically every day
- 1TRADER — Forex broker reviewsExness and XM comparison data in section 07
- HFM — Regulations and licencesOfficial · HF Markets (SV) Ltd 22747 IBC 2015, FCA 801701, FSCA 46632, FSA SD015, CMA 155
- HFM — Security of fundsOfficial · segregated accounts, $5 million insurance, negative balance protection, 24/7 withdrawals
- HFM — Deposit optionsOfficial · local online banking, instant, no deposit fees, client funds in segregated bank accounts
- HFM — Zero accountOfficial · spreads from 0 on Forex and gold, $6 round-turn commission per lot (Forex) / $10 (gold)
Verification notes
- Confirmed10 Oct 2026, against HFM's official website: 5 accounts (Cent, Zero, Pro, Premium, Top-Up Bonus) · $0 minimum deposit except Pro $100 · leverage 1:2000 (Top-Up 1:1000) · 20% stop out
- ConfirmedSpreads from: Cent / Premium / Top-Up 1.4 pips · Pro 0.6 pips · Zero 0.0 pips + $6 round-turn commission per lot (Forex)
- ConfirmedGroup companies and licence numbers from HFM's regulation page · $5 million insurance · negative balance protection
- CalculatedSection 04 costs use HFM's lowest published spreads; real costs are higher depending on market conditions
- Stated broadlyHFM asks you to check withdrawal fees and times for each method in the trader area, so we don't state figures
Trade with HFM, Get Cashback Every Day
Open your account through 1TRADER with code 322797 to get 95% of the IB commission back, up to $14.25/lot on gold
Risk warning: Forex and CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage, and you may lose all of your investment. This content is for information only and is not investment advice. Broker information is as of 10 Oct 2026 and may change; check with HFM before opening an account. HFM does not provide services to residents of certain jurisdictions, including the US, Canada, Iran, North Korea, the UAE and Türkiye; it is your responsibility to make sure trading with an offshore broker is permitted where you live · Review scores are the opinion of the 1TRADER team · 1TRADER receives a commission for referring clients to HFM