Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Hfm Partners vs IC Markets
Hfm Partners vs IC Markets: the differences
| Compare |  Hfm Partners | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5,000 | $200Lower |
| Markets | Forex, Metals, CFDs | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), SIPCCovers more | SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5, HFM WebTrader, HFM Platform | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No internal deposit fees |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- IC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only Hfm Partners offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
- Hfm Partners is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at IC Markets: $200 vs $5,000.
- Markets: only Hfm Partners offers Metals.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Stocks, Futures, Crypto.
- Platforms: only Hfm Partners offers HFM WebTrader, HFM Platform.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, CTrader, TradingView.
- Features: only IC Markets offers Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
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.
IC Markets
IC Markets suits experienced day-traders who want a wide market list and no account fee, and it is a weaker fit if you want to start small. The minimum deposit of $200 is the number most readers will notice, while the inactivity fee of $0 takes that worry away.
Score breakdown
| Area | Hfm Partners | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.1 | 8.9HigherMinimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.6 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Hfm Partners | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Hfm Partners | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 76 of 147 | 60 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 74 of 145 | 58 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 64 of 122 | 50 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Hfm Partners | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Demo account | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Support channels | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Hfm Partners | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5,000highest quarter | $200highest quarter | $25 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
IC Markets
Pros
- The inactivity fee is $0, and the brand ranks at 1 of 56 brands on that measure.
- Deposit and withdrawal carry no internal fees, so moving money in and out does not add to the cost of a trade.
- You can trade stocks, forex, contracts for differences, futures, crypto and bonds from one account, which is a wider list than eToro's stocks, etfs and forex.
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, so the account is less accessible than CFI, where the minimum deposit is $0.
- The brand ranks at 172 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, which puts the entry cost near the expensive end of the list.
- The stated audience is experienced traders and day-traders, so a first-time investor gets less hand-holding than the low-fees brands on the site.
Who each suits
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.
IC Markets
Who it suits
- Experienced day-traders trading forex, contracts for differences, futures and crypto through a single account
- Anyone who trades on several platforms and wants MetaTrader, cTrader, TradingView and a web platform side by side
- Traders who want to hold an account open without paying an inactivity fee
Who should look elsewhere
- First-time investors who want a guided, beginner-led platform, where eToro suits better
- Anyone starting with a small amount, since Vantage opens at a minimum deposit of $5 against $200 here
- Long-term investors building a portfolio of funds or exchange-traded products, which eToro covers with its wider stocks, etfs and forex
Questions about each
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.
IC Markets
What is the minimum deposit to open an IC Markets account?+
The minimum deposit is $200. Set that against the site median of €4.64 to see where the entry point sits, and remember this money is committed before any trade is placed. Readers starting small may prefer a lower floor elsewhere.
Is there an inactivity fee at IC Markets?+
The inactivity fee is $0, so an account can sit open without a charge for being dormant. The brand ranks at 1 of 56 brands on that measure, which makes it one of the strongest results in our data for holding costs.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- Hfm Partners vs VT Markets
- Hfm Partners vs FP Markets
- Hfm Partners vs OANDA
- Hfm Partners vs Interactive Brokers
- Hfm Partners vs LiteFinance
- Hfm Partners vs Octa
- Hfm Partners vs EC Markets
- Hfm Partners vs FXCM
- Hfm Partners vs Firstrade
- Hfm Partners vs XTB
- Hfm Partners vs NAGA
- Hfm Partners vs Mintos
- IC Markets vs Kraken
- Hfm Partners vs EBC Financial Group
- IC Markets vs CapTrader