Hotforex vs CMC Markets Compared 2025: Pros, Cons, and More!

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Ryan Hardy sitting before his forex trading desk
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HFM (HotForex) and CMC Markets are Forex and CFD brokers offering online trading services to traders and investors worldwide. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier regulatory authorities. HFM (HotForex) is regulated by two tier-1 jurisdictions, three tier-2 jurisdictions, and three tier-4 jurisdictions including FCA , CySEC, CMA , FSC Mauritius, SVGFSA, FSA -S, FSCA, DFSA. On the other hand, CMC Markets is regulated by five tier-1 jurisdictions, including FCA, MAS, ASIC, IIROC, FMA. These two brokers offer almost similar services. However, each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

In this article, we will compare HFM (HotForex) with CMC Markets regarding trading platforms, regulations, tradable assets, fees, customer support, and overall trading experience score. We will also explore if HFM (HotForex) is better than CMC Markets and vice versa. This comparison lets you understand which broker is better for your trading style and preferences.

HotForex vs CMC Markets: In a Nutshell

HotForex

Founded in 2010, HFM is a renowned broker with multiple regulations and ultra-fast executions of over 1000 trading instruments on its proprietary and MetaTrader platforms. The broker has received over 60 industry awards for outstanding performance. It boasts about 2.5 million clients from all over the world.

Hotforex Overview

Hotforex Overview
  • Founded In: 2010
  • Founder: George Koumantaris
  • Headquarters: St. Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:1000
  • Regulations: FCA, DFSA , FSCA ,FSA,CMA
  • Trading platform: MT4, MT5, HFM Platform
  • Account Types: Cent, Zero, Pro, Premium
  • Payment Options:Bank Wire (BankTransfer/SWIFT), VISA, MasterCard, BitPay, FasaPay, Maestro, Neteller, PayRedeem, Skrill, UnionPay, WebMoney
  • US Traders: Not Accept

CMC Markets

Founded in 2010, HFM is one of the renowned forex and CFD brokers offering online trading services worldwide. The broker was previously known and founded as HotForex. HFM provides over 1,000 trading instruments, including forex, commodities, metals, bonds, energies, ETFs, indices, stocks, and cryptos. It is regulated by multiple regulatory authorities, such as the FCA, CySEC, CMA, FSC, SVGFSA, FSA-S, FSCA, and DFSA. HFM has received over 60 industry awards for outstanding performance and offers leverage as high as 1:2000. It boasts about 2.5 million clients from all over the world. To learn more about HFM, you can read our review on HFM (HF Markets).

CMC Markets Overview
  • Founded In: 1989
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:500
  • Regulations: ASIC
  • Trading platform: MT4 , Share trading platforms
  • Account Types: SPREAD BETTING, Fx Active, CFD Trading
  • Payment Options: Bank Wire (BankTransfer/SWIFT), VISA, MasterCard
  • US Traders: Not Accept

Hotforex vs : CMC Markets Features

Hotforex:

  • Trading Instruments: 3000+ trading instruments including Forex, Metals, Energies, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Bonds, ETFS, Cryptos 
  • Maximum leverage: The maximum leverage of Oanda is 1:200 (global), 1:50 (US), 1:30 (EU)
  • Minimum Deposit: No Minimum Deposit. 
  • Account Types: Two (Standard, Elitetrader) 
  • Trading Fees:  Spreads range from 0.1 to 0.6, and commissions range from 3.5 to 4 per lot (depending on account type).
  • PAMM/ MAM:  
  • Scalping: Allowed 
  • News Trading: Allowed
  • EA/ Robot Trading: Allowed

CMC Markets:

  • Trading Instruments: 12000+ trading instruments including forex, indices, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, Shares, Share baskets, Treasuries, etc 
  • Maximum leverage:  Up to 30:1 ( FCA, ASIC), up to 1:50 (IIROC), and up to 500:1 for a professional account.
  • Minimum Deposit: No Minimum Deposit. However, Pepperstone recommends $200 or equivalent for the margin requirement. 
  • Account Types: Three (Spread Betting Account, CFD Account, Corporate Account)
  • Trading Fees: only Spread is charged (Commission is only for Shares account). Variable spreads from 0.3 pips. A rollover commission is applied on open positions overnight. For the Shares account commission starts from $7. 
  • PAMM/ MAM:  Not Available 
  • Scalping: Allowed 
  • News Trading: Allowed
  • EA/ Robot Trading: Allowed

HotForex vs CMC Markets: Pros and Cons

HotForex

Pros
  • Regulated by the CySEC, FCA, FSCA, DFSA, CMA, FSC Mauritius, and FSA Seychelles.
  • The Maximum Leverage is as high as 1:2000
  • Favorable trading conditions and low spreads - from 0 pips;
  • Trading is available on the MT4, MT5, and HFM trading app
  • Available trading tools are MT4 premium trader tools, Autochartist, free VPS, etc
  • Insurance coverage of up to $5,000,000
  • Copy trading via HF Copy.
  • Market news, analysis, outlook, and webinars are provided by a dedicated team of analysts.
Cons
  • Premium Pro account requires a $5000 minimum balance
  • To copy trades on HF copy, you need a deposit of €300.
  • No micro accounts for European beginner traders.
  • No bonuses for EU Clients 
  • Few account currencies, which is why some clients have to pay for double conversion
  • Customer support is closed on weekends.

CMC Markets

Pros
  • Regulated by FCA, ASIC, IIROC, MAS, FMA
  • Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is publicly traded company
  • The minimum deposit is as low as $1 
  • Comparatively low spread starting from 0.7 pips
  • Allows news trading, EA/Robot trading
  • Extensive range of tradable assets 
  • Excellent education and research resources
Cons
  • Offered only MT4, no MT5, cTrader trading platforms 
  • Maximum leverage is only 1:300
  •  No passive investment programme or social trading platforms ( No PAMM, MAM accounts) 
  •  Does not accept US clients
  • Only CFD Trading 
  • High CFD spreads for certain Indices 
  • Spread betting only for UK residents

HotForex vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Comparison

Hotforex
CMC Markets
Product
Product
Hotforex
CMC Markets
Founded In
Founded In
2010
1989
Founded By
Founded By
George Koumantaris
Peter Andrew Cruddas, Baron Cruddas
Headquarters
Headquarters
Kingstown, St. Vincent
London, United Kingdom
Regulations
Regulations
FCA, DFSA, FSCA, FSA in Seychelles, CMA, CySEC
FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS
Min Deposit
Min Deposit
$0
None
Max Leverage
Max Leverage
2000:1
1:500
Tradable Assets
Tradable Assets
Forex, Metals, Stocks, Bonds, Indices, Energies, Commodities, Cryptos, and ETFs
Forex Major, Forex Crosses, Forex Minor, Metals, Oil , CFD, Stock indices
Fees
Fees
Spread from 0.6 pips
Spread starting from 0.3 pips or commission $10
Platforms and Tools
Platforms and Tools
MT4, MT5, HFM App
MT4 , Share trading platforms
US Traders
US Traders
Not Allowed
Not Allow

HotForex Vs CMC Markets: Our Scores and Ratings

We rated both brokers, HotForex and CMC Markets, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 0.1 increments. To achieve a comprehensive rating, we broadly grouped all services offered by brokers into 6 macro categories and assigned percentage weights to them. Each macro category is subdivided into several data points which contributes to the total score of 1.0-10.0 assigned to each macro category. Since all categories are not equally important, our weight percentage plays a significant role in assessing the broker accurately. For example, Regulation and Security contributes a total weight of 40% to the whole ratings because this is the most important rating category. To learn more, read our methodology.

HotForex :

9.1
Total Score
Regulation and Security (40%)9.8
Fees and Commissions (20%)9
Trading (15%)8
Trading tools (10%)9.2
Customer Support (10%)9
Trading Education (5%)8

CMC Markets

9.0
CMC Markets Score
Regulation and Security (40%)9.7
Fees and Commissions (20%)8
Trading (15%)9
Trading tools (10%)8
Customer Support (10%)9.5
Trading Education (5%)9

HFM (HotForex) vs CMC Markets: Which One is Better?

Now the question comes: is HFM (HotForex) better than BlackBull Markets, or vice versa? The answer depends on traders’ and investors’ trading styles and preferences. If you are concerned about security and safety, you may choose a forex broker regulated by top regulatory authorities such as ASIC, CySEC, FCA, NFA, etc. If you are a scalper, you may prefer a forex broker that offers fixed or low spreads. If you want to copy trade from other successful traders, you may choose a forex broker that offers social copy trading facilities. 

Both HFM (HotForex) and BlackBull Markets offer similar trading services worldwide. However, there are differences in their features,  regulations, reputation, and operations. Here are the key facts about both brokers. By reviewing these options, you can clearly understand which broker is right for your trading goals

HFM (HotForex) :

  • HFM (HotForex) is a forex and CFD broker regulated by FCA, CySEC, DFSA, FSCA, CMA, and FSA in Seychelles 
  • The minimum deposit of HFM (Hotforex) is $0. This means there is no minimum deposit of HFM. You may deposit as low as $1
  • Maximum leverage 1:2000
  • Offers MT4, MT5, and HFM trading platforms
  • The trading fee: minimum spreads starting from 0.6 pips. ( Spreads and commissions depend on your account type and the types of tradable assets
  • HFM (HotForex) does not accept US clients. 

CMC Markets:

  • CMC Markets is a forex and CFD broker regulated by FCA, FMA, CIRO, MAS, ASIC (Exceeded), BaFIN (exceeded), AMF(Exceeded), 
  • Minimum Deposit: $0, No minimum deposit required. You may deposit as low as $1 
  • Maximum leverage 1:30 (for retail clients), 1:500 (for professional accounts)
  • Offers Spread betting account for the Clients of UK only. 
  • Offers MT4, FX Active Trader, MT4 Premium Add-ons, Autochartist, VPS, Automated Trading, MT4 Academy
  • The trading fee: spreads starting from 0.3 pips for CFD, and Corporate account. $7 commission for shares account only
  • CMC Markets does not accept US Clients. 

Our score for HFM (HotForex) is 8.8, and for CMC Markets it is 9.0.

Written by

Jason Paine is a forex trader, researcher, and tech enthusiast. He is passionate about financial markets and cutting-edge technology. With a dynamic 16-year trading career, he's on a mission to guide fellow traders. Having navigated diverse forex brokers, Jason shares his insights at Brokersway to bridge the gap between traders and the right brokerage.

Fact Checked by
Ryan Hardy is a Content Writer, Researcher, and Fact Checker at Brokersway. Specializing in forex trading, he focuses on ensuring accuracy in information related to broker regulations, scams, and safety measures. With a commitment to transparency, Ryan plays a vital role in providing traders with reliable insights into the world  of forex brokers
Edited by

Richard Walz, a seasoned content writer and broker’s research specialist, is your go-to authority for decoding online forex brokers and trading platforms. As an editor, he ensures precision and clarity, offering traders valuable insights on Brokersway, a trusted resource for informed decision-making in the dynamic world of currency trading. Richard's role as an editor ensures that the information presented is not only accurate but also presented in a manner that resonates with traders seeking clarity in making better decision.

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