Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Firstrade vs Hfm Partners
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Firstrade |  Hfm Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $5,000 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Forex, Metals, CFDs |
| Regulators | SIPC, FINRA | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), SIPC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, IPad | MetaTrader 5, HFM WebTrader, HFM Platform |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers | Not confirmed |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Firstrade scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only Firstrade offers FINRA.
- Regulators: only Hfm Partners offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
- Hfm Partners is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Firstrade: $0 vs $5,000.
- Markets: only Firstrade offers Stocks, ETFs, Options.
- Markets: only Hfm Partners offers Forex, Metals, CFDs.
- Platforms: only Firstrade offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only Hfm Partners offers MetaTrader 5, HFM WebTrader, HFM Platform.
- Support channels: only Firstrade offers Phone, Help centre.
Our verdict on each
Firstrade
Firstrade is a US commission-free broker for retail savers who want retirement accounts and low costs in the same place. Protection is listed as SIPC up to USD 500,000, the minimum deposit is $0, and the trade-off is a market list limited to US equities, funds and options.
Hfm Partners
Hfm Partners suits traders who can fund a larger starting balance, because its minimum deposit of $5,000 sits well above the entry amounts most brokers ask for here. CySEC and SIPC regulation adds cover, while email only support and a focused market list make it a less obvious choice for smaller accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | Firstrade | Hfm Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts $0; transfers run Free for bank transfers, $25 for wire transfers. | 8.1 |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 9.5 |
What each covers
| Markets | Firstrade | Hfm Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Firstrade | Hfm Partners |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 34642 | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed |
Sources behind this comparison
Firstrade
- firstrade.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Hfm Partners
- hfeu.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Firstrade | Hfm Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Options, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Mobile app, Demo account |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | FIRSTRADE SECURITIES INC | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1985 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Firstrade | Hfm Partners | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $5,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0lowest quarter | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Firstrade
Pros
- Regulated in the US by FINRA and SIPC, with protection stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a membership record at SIPC member 34642.
- A traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a joint account all sit in ira, roth ira and joint under the commission-free pricing in commission free, so retirement and shared accounts hold at the same cost.
- Fractional shares and a demo account sit in demo account, options and mobile app, which helps the beginners and day traders named in beginners, experienced and day traders start small.
Cons
- The market list in stocks, etfs and options covers stocks, ETFs, options and funds, a narrow range next to eToro at stocks, etfs and forex and CFI at stocks, etfs and forex.
- Live chat and email are not among the listed support channels (phone and help centre), which pair a phone line with a help centre.
- An ISA and a SIPP are not among the listed account types (ira, roth ira and joint), which cover a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and a joint account.
Hfm Partners
Pros
- Regulated in Europe and the US under Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC.
- Mobile app and demo account both appear in mobile app and demo account.
- Platform choice spans MetaTrader 5, HFM WebTrader and HFM Platform.
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $5,000 puts it out of reach for small balances.
- Support runs on email only.
- Markets cover forex, metals and cfds only.
Who each suits
Firstrade
Who it suits
- US savers who want commission-free stock and ETF trading inside a retirement account, since the list in ira, roth ira and joint covers an IRA and a Roth IRA.
- Investors who trade in small amounts, because fractional shares in demo account, options and mobile app work alongside a $0 entry point.
- Day traders in US equities, named in beginners, experienced and day traders with a mobile app among the platforms in Web, iOS and Android.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex, CFDs or crypto alongside equities: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex, while Firstrade stays within stocks, etfs and options.
- UK and European savers who need a tax wrapper, since ira, roth ira and joint names no ISA or SIPP. Vantage, which sets $5 as its entry point, is worth pricing alongside.
Hfm Partners
Who it suits
- Traders who can fund $5,000 and put regulation ahead of a low entry amount.
- Focused forex, metals and CFDs traders who want to practise on a demo account.
- EU traders covered by investor protection stated as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone starting small: CFI asks a minimum deposit of $0.
- Traders wanting a wider market list, where eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Low balance traders who prefer a smaller entry: Vantage asks $5.
Country by country
| Country | Firstrade | Hfm Partners |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Firstrade
What does it cost to trade stocks and options?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the options contract fee is $0, so nothing is charged per trade on either side. The pricing model listed is commission free, which matches that, and the same terms apply to stocks and options contracts. A reader comparing quotes will find the same line on both markets.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so an account can sit open and untouched without an annual charge or a dormant penalty. That suits a saver who funds a retirement account and does not trade every month, since holding a small balance costs nothing beyond the trades themselves.
Hfm Partners
What is the minimum deposit at Hfm Partners?+
The stated minimum deposit is $5,000. CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, so Hfm Partners sits at the heavy end of the range compared here. Anyone starting with a smaller balance would be better served by one of those.
Who regulates Hfm Partners?+
Regulation runs through Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and SIPC. The Cyprus licence reads 183/12 and the US membership SIPC member 71021. These are separate registrations in separate countries, so the entity your account sits under decides who supervises it.
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