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RoboForex and HFM are two of the best known offshore MetaTrader brokers, and both run their own copy trading service. On paper they look alike. Both started around 2009 and 2010, both offer leverage up to 1:2000 and both let you open an account with very little money. The real differences are in regulation, trading costs and what it costs to get your money out.
The short answer: HFM is the safer choice for most traders. It holds licenses from the FCA, CySEC and FSCA and charges nothing for most withdrawals. RoboForex is cheaper to trade on its ECN and Prime accounts and offers a far bigger range of stocks and ETFs, but it is regulated only in Belize and its withdrawal fees are high.
RoboForex vs HFM at a glance
| RoboForex | HFM | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.5 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 |
| Founded | 2009 | 2010, as HotForex (renamed HFM in 2022) |
| Regulation | FSC Belize only | FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), FSCA (South Africa), CMA (Kenya), FSA (Seychelles) |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | None on most accounts, $100 on Pro |
| Raw spread accounts | ECN: $4 per lot round trip. Prime: $2 per lot round trip | Zero: $6 per lot round trip on major pairs |
| Spread only accounts | From 1.3 pips (Pro, ProCent) | From 0.6 pips (Pro) or 1.4 pips (Cent, Premium) |
| Maximum leverage | Up to 1:2000 | 1:30 for UK and EU retail clients, up to 1:2000 offshore |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, R StocksTrader, RoboForex app | MT4, MT5, HFM app, WebTrader |
| Copy trading | Yes (formerly CopyFX) | Yes, plus PAMM and MAM accounts |
| Withdrawal fees | About 1% to 4%, depending on method | None on most methods |
| Inactivity fee | None | Yes, after 6 months without activity |
| Not available in | US, Canada, Australia, Japan, Brazil and others. UK and EU clients not targeted | US, Canada and the UAE |
Regulation and safety: HFM wins
This is the biggest difference between the two. HFM runs through several regulated companies. UK clients join HF Markets (UK) Ltd, authorized by the FCA, and EU clients join HF Markets (Europe) Ltd, regulated by CySEC. There are also entities in South Africa (FSCA) and Kenya (CMA).
Be aware that most clients outside those regions are signed up with HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd or with HF Markets (SV) Ltd in St Vincent and the Grenadines, which is not regulated as a broker. That is how HFM can offer 1:2000 leverage. Check which company your account is with before you deposit.
RoboForex accounts are all with RoboForex Ltd, licensed by the Financial Services Commission of Belize. It adds some protection through membership of the Financial Commission, an independent dispute body whose fund covers up to €20,000 per case, and civil liability insurance of up to €2.5 million. Its Cyprus company stopped serving retail clients on 1 January 2025, so there is no longer a European license behind the forex accounts.
Trading costs: RoboForex is cheaper to trade
If you trade often, raw spread accounts are the ones to compare. RoboForex Prime charges $2 per lot round trip and ECN charges $4, both from 0 pips. HFM’s Zero account charges $6 per lot round trip on major pairs, rising to $8 on minors and $10 on gold. ForexBrokers.com measured an all-in EUR/USD cost of about 1.1 pips on HFM Zero, which is competitive but not the cheapest.
On spread only accounts the two are close. RoboForex Pro starts from 1.3 pips on EUR/USD. HFM Pro starts from 0.6 pips with a $100 minimum, while its Cent and Premium accounts start from 1.4 pips.
Deposits and withdrawals: HFM is cheaper to cash out
Both brokers take deposits for free. The gap opens when you withdraw. HFM does not charge for most withdrawals, including cards, Skrill, Neteller and bank transfers over $250. Crypto withdrawals through BitPay carry a 1% fee, and your bank may add charges on wires.
RoboForex charges on almost every withdrawal. Independent reviewers list about 1% for Skrill, 1.9% for Neteller, up to 2.6% plus $1.30 for cards and up to 4% for local bank transfers. Taking out $1,000 by Neteller would cost about $19, and by card up to about $27. If you withdraw regularly, that can wipe out the savings from RoboForex’s lower commissions.
Copy trading: both work, HFM is easier to start
HFM builds copy trading into its app and client area. You can filter strategy providers by gain, maximum drawdown, risk score and performance fee, and start copying with as little as $10 through a Cent account. Providers take a performance fee on the profits they make for you. HFM also offers PAMM and MAM accounts on MetaTrader 4 for money managers.
RoboForex copy trading, formerly called CopyFX, lets you follow traders on MT4, MT5 (with hedging enabled) and R StocksTrader accounts. Each trader sets their own fee for followers.
On either platform, the leaderboard shows past results only. Look at a trader’s worst drawdown and how long they have been trading, not just the headline return, and cap how much of your balance you allocate. With leverage up to 1:2000 on offer, a single bad trader can empty an account quickly. For more options, see our guide to the best forex brokers for copy trading.
Platforms and markets: RoboForex offers more
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and 5 and have their own mobile app. RoboForex adds R StocksTrader, its own multi-asset platform with over 12,000 instruments, including real stocks and more than 1,000 ETFs. HFM’s range is smaller. ForexBrokers.com counted about 350 instruments on its MT5 offering, all traded as CFDs, including around 40 currency pairs.
Which should you choose?
Choose HFM if:
- You want a broker with FCA, CySEC or FSCA regulation
- You plan to withdraw often and do not want to pay for it
- You are new to copy trading and want simple filters and a $10 starting point
Choose RoboForex if:
- You trade frequently and want the lowest commissions, on the Prime or ECN account
- You want real stocks and ETFs alongside forex in one account
- You understand the risks of an offshore broker licensed only in Belize
Read our full HFM review and RoboForex review for account details, fees and support. Also weighing up XM? See our XM vs HFM comparison.
RoboForex vs HFM: frequently asked questions
Is HFM better than RoboForex?
For most traders, yes. HFM has stronger regulation, including FCA and CySEC licenses, and free withdrawals on most methods. RoboForex is better on trading costs and range of stocks and ETFs, but it is regulated only in Belize.
Is RoboForex regulated?
Yes, but only by the Financial Services Commission of Belize. It is also a member of the Financial Commission, which offers dispute resolution and compensation of up to €20,000 per case.
Is HFM regulated?
Yes. HFM companies are regulated by the FCA in the UK, CySEC in the EU, the FSCA in South Africa, the CMA in Kenya and the FSA in the Seychelles. Which one you join depends on where you live.
Which broker has lower fees?
RoboForex has lower trading commissions, at $2 per lot round trip on Prime against $6 on HFM Zero. HFM is cheaper overall if you withdraw often, because RoboForex charges about 1% to 4% on most withdrawals.
Which is better for copy trading?
HFM is easier for beginners, with built-in filters for drawdown and risk and a $10 starting point. RoboForex supports copy trading on MT4, MT5 and R StocksTrader. On both, past returns are no guarantee of future results.
Can US traders use RoboForex or HFM?
No. Neither broker accepts US residents. US traders need a broker regulated by the CFTC and NFA. See our guide to the best forex brokers in the USA.
Facts checked in October 2026 against each broker’s website and independent reviews, as listed in our full reviews. Fees and terms change, so confirm the current figures on the broker’s site before you open an account.