review

HotForex fees and commissions

Our HotForex review team found that the trading fees and commissions at this broker are highly competitive, and the non-trading fees are low. Whilst the fees do change depending on your account type, they are all fair, and spreads start from 0 pips. You will not be charged for deposits or withdrawals either, making HotForex the perfect choice if you’re looking to maximize your outcomes with higher trading volumes.

Our experts have reviewed HotForex’s fees based on how they compare with the fees of other reviewed brokers. For each broker, we analyze both trading fees and non-trading fees:

–      Trading fees are charged every time you place a trade. They include spreads, commissions, overnight and rollover fees, and currency conversion fees.

–      Non-trading fees aren’t directly related to trading, but you should consider them as they make up the cost of using a certain broker. They include payment fees and inactivity fees.

Below you will find a snapshot of the fees charged at HotForex. Our experts have created these tables based on the fees applied to a standard account. We consider a standard account to be the one that will appeal to most traders, often not the cheapest option but not a premium option either.

*Based on Standard account type.

HotForex trading fees

As the trading fees at this broker vary depending on your account type and the asset class you’re trading, our HotForex reviewers have broken them into separate categories for you. Below, you can assess the fees attached to forex trading, stocks, and other CFD instruments.

Forex fees

If you are trading currency pairs at HotForex, you will be charged the following commissions:

• Zero Spread account holders that trade major currency pairs will be charged $6 per lot round turn, whereas those who trade other pairs (minors, exotic) will be charged $8 per lot round turn.
• PAMM Premium Plus account holders, regardless of the type of trading currency pair, will be charged $10 round turn for every lot.
• Other accounts charge traders no commissions whatsoever.

Currency pair spreads at HotForex are low compared to other brokers of the same caliber. The Zero Spread account has spreads starting from 0 pips, naturally, all other accounts carry currency pair spreads from 1 pip. All spreads are variable too, which means you can benefit from even cheaper trading during periods of high liquidity.

Stocks and index fees

Our team examined the fees and commissions for stock CFDs and found out that HotForex applies a 0.1% commission charge to every stock trade, regardless of the individual share. As for spreads, these start as low as 0.012 pips, though can reach up to around 1.6 pips.

When it comes to indices, this HotForex review has shown that the broker charges a $1 round turn commission on every lot opened. Spreads on indices are also variable and range from a minimum of 0.04 pips to a maximum of 11.3 pips.

Other CFD fees

To give you an idea of fees charged for other asset classes at HotForex, our reviewers have provided the following summaries:

• No commissions on metals or energies, and spreads ranging from 0.01 to 11.4 in quote currency per unit.
• Cryptocurrency trades are charged a $1 commission per round lot turn. Spreads range between 0.0006 and 30.0 in quote currency per unit.
• Bond contracts carry no commissions and have tight spreads from 0.05 to 0.08 in quote currency per unit.

Financing/Overnight Rates

At HotForex, overnight swap fees are divided into two categories depending on the position type: long and short. For most available instruments, aside from forex, gold, and cryptos, the value of a swap is based on the position a trader chooses, as well as the internal interest fee and the fees charged by counterparty security providers. For the remaining instruments, the swap also includes risk analysis.

For all instruments, swap fees are charged on any position left open at 00:00 server time. In the summer this is GMT +3, and GMT +2 in the winter. Triple swap fees are charged on Wednesdays, to account for any positions left open during the weekends when the markets are inactive.

Islamic account holders do not pay overnight swap fees. A carry fee may, however, be applied to some currency pairs when a position is held for over seven days. You can find out more about Islamic accounts in the ‘Account Types’ section of this HotForex review.

Non-trading fees

One of the biggest advantages of trading with HotForex is that there are no fees from the broker on deposits or withdrawals, no matter which payment method you use. If your transaction is over $100, HotForex will also cover any commissions or fees your bank or payment provider charges.

HotForex does, however, charge an inactivity fee on all accounts that remain dormant for more than six months. If your account is unused for between six months and one year, a $5 fee is charged. This increases to $10, $20, and the previous year’s fee + $10 per month for inactivity periods of 1-2 years, 2-3 years, and over 3 years respectively.

HotForex safety

HotForex boasts licenses from several international financial institutions, including the FSCA and the SVGFSA. Our reviewers also found that HotForex offers sophisticated measures for securing its clients’ funds, such as civil liability insurance and negative balance protection. It also has an excellent reputation and a long history of satisfied clients.

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Pros

Cons

Licenses from top-tier authorities

Leading insurance platform

Negative balance protection

No support for minor commercial banks

HotForex licenses and regulation

As an international client at HotForex, you will be trading with the arm of the broker regulated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Although this isn’t considered to be a top-tier authority, our reviewers found that HotForex also operates within the EU with licenses from CySEC and the UK’s FCA. This proves that it takes regulation seriously. Traders from South Africa can also trade under FSCA protection.

To ensure that all of the license claims made by HotForex were true and active, our reviewers verified each one with the correct authority. HotForex is currently registered and regulated under these names with the following bodies:

• HF Markets (SV) Ltd with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority (SVGFSA), under registration number 22747 IBC 2015.
• HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd is licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), under registration number F004885.
• HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd is licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa (FSCA) as a financial services provider, under registration number 4632.
• HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd holds a Securities Dealer License from the Financial Services Authority of the Seychelles (FSA), under license number SD015.

Is HotForex safe?

Our review methodology considers several factors to ensure that all of our recommended brokers are safe and reputable. Alongside the number and strength of licenses, we also consider:

• What protection and/or insurance HotForex offers should something go wrong
• HotForex’s reputation, history, and management

HotForex client protection

Although HotForex doesn’t offer you any personal compensation schemes, our reviewers were impressed to find that the broker has safeguarded its clients with a civil liability insurance program. Each arm of the broker has its own coverage, worth up to €5 million, to protect you against errors, fraud, negligence, and various other risks that may lead to financial loss.

Client Protection

Country

Legal Entity

Protected Up To

Regulators

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

HF Markets SV

€5,000,000

SVGFSA

United Arab Emirates

HF Markets DIFC

€5,000,000

DFSA

South Africa

HF Markets SA PTY

€5,000,000

FSCA

Seychelles

HF Markets Seychelles

€5,000,000

FSA

When reviewing HotForex’s security of funds policies, our team found that the broker also keeps all client funds in segregated accounts and only partners with major banks. This shows they are committed to operating responsibly and limiting your risk. You’ll also find that you are always covered by negative balance protection, no matter your account type or the market conditions.

HotForex background and reputation

HotForex and HF Markets are the two brand names of HF Markets Group, which was established in 2010 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Having been operating for over a decade, HotForex has become one of the most trusted and reputable international brokerage brands around. Proof of this can found in the broker’s number of returning clients (HotForex currently has over 2,000,000 live accounts) and its collection of awards.

Awards include safety-specific accolades such as the Best Client Funds Security Global and the Best Forex Customer Service Provider Latin America.

During our HotForex review background check, we also found that the broker regularly discloses updated information about the structure of the company, country-by-country financial reports, and its return on assets. In short, transparency is a priority for HotForex.

Opening an account with HotForex

Registering for an account with HotForex online broker is a quick and seamless process, which can be completed in just a few minutes. The minimum deposit limits of all account types are also extremely accessible, allowing you to test out HotForex’s services without having to commit substantial funds.

Is HotForex available in your country?

HotForex has a truly global reach that exceeds 180 countries across the globe. The list of supported countries includes every continent, with only a few exceptions. Currently, HotForex doesn’t provide services to citizens of:

• United States
• Canada
• Sudan
• Syria
• North Korea

How to open an account at HotForex

You can open an account with HotForex from your desktop or mobile. The process is fully digital and, when our HotForex review team opened their own accounts, they found it took under 10 minutes to do so. Simply choose an account type and then follow the steps below to get started:

• Step 1

  Supply the broker with your country of residence, full name, phone number, date of birth, and email address.

• Step 2

  Read and accept the privacy policy and solve a simple mathematical problem.

• Step 3

  Activate the account by following the link sent to your mailbox.

• Step 4

  Provide your country of birth, full address, and select a base account currency.

• Step 5

  Enter additional details about your wealth, employment status, source of funds, and trading experience. You will also need to make three yes/no declarations (Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Are you a politically exposed person? Are you a US citizen or US resident for tax purposes?)

• Step 6

  Provide proof of identity and address. These documents can be uploaded to the MyHF platform directly or sent by email.

What you will need to open an account

To open an account with HotForex as quickly as possible, you’ll need to have certain information and documents to hand. Below, our experts have outlined the required details/documents:

• Personal information – Your full name, birth date, email address, country of birth and residence, and level of education
• Regulatory information – Details of your estimated net worth, employment status, funding sources, trading experience, criminal background, and political exposure.
• Documentation – A colored copy of an official identification document, such as a passport, national ID card or driver’s license, and a copy of your proof of address, This could be a bank statement or utility bill dated within the past six months, that contains your name and official address.

To open an account with HotForex, you’ll need to provide proof of identity and proof of address to have a live account. This process allows HotForex to meet KYC (Know Your Customer) guidelines. KYC guidelines keep you safe and stop the broker from accidentally facilitating illegal practices such as money laundering.

What is the minimum deposit at HotForex?

Each different account type has a different minimum deposit requirement:

• Micro account – $5
• Premium account – $100
• Zero Spread account – $200
• Auto account – $200
• PAMM Premium account – $250
• HFCOPY account – $500 for strategy providers and $100 for followers

HotForex payment methods

HotForex accepts some of the most convenient deposit and withdrawal methods on the market, including a wide range of e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. None of these methods are subject to additional costs and fees, and our HotForex review team found that transactions are always processed quickly and securely. Do note, however, that some country restrictions may apply to certain methods.

HotForex account types

During our HotForex Forex broker review, we explored 7 different live account types. These account packages are filled with impressive and convenient trading conditions. Some grant access to a high-tier ECN trading platform, while others making sure that beginners are met with affordable requirements. HotForex also provides you with demo accounts to practice, and they offer Sharia-compliant Islamic accounts too.

Demo accounts

At HotForex, you can open two different types of demo accounts as an existing client or a new one. These account types are designed to simulate real trading conditions with actual market developments and offer virtual balances of $100,000. Our HotForex reviewers found that you can use them as much as you like, making them perfect for both beginners who want to practice and veterans who want to try out new strategies.

Open an MT4 DemoHotForex account to try trading with MetaTrader 4, or an MT5 DemoHotForex account to trade using MetaTrader 5.

Islamic accounts

HotForex offers you the ability to convert their main four types of accounts into Islamic accounts. You can open a Micro, Premium, Auto, or Zero Spread account, and then contact customer services to have it adapted.

All Islamic accounts at HotForex come without swap fees, making them Sharia-compliant. Do note, however, that carrying charges may be enforced when positions on certain instruments are held for over 7 days. Whilst the broker says this isn’t an interest fee and so doesn’t constitute riba, you should ensure that you are comfortable with these fees before applying for the account. Moreover, HotForex reserves the right to ask clients to show proof of their faith.

HotForex trading platforms

When reviewing HotForex’s trading platforms, we were impressed to find that the broker offers a full MetaTrader suite. This means that you can trade via MT 4, MT 5, Webtrader for both platforms, and the respective native mobile apps too.  On top of that, if you are an advanced trader, you may be interested in the HotForex RapidTrader FIX/API. This is a unique proprietary platform that we’ll discuss separately as it differs substantially from regular platforms.

HotForex offers 3 trading platforms. A trading platform is simply a software interface that allows you to place trades. Trading platforms often come with charting, research, and order processing tools too.

To ensure that we only recommend high-quality brokers, our reviewers have tried and tested each of HotForex’s trading platforms. When doing so, they considered a range of factors including how easy the platforms are to use, what features each trading platform offers, and how suited each platform is to different types of traders.

HotForex RapidTrader FIX/API

Beyond the two main MetaTrader platforms, our review team discovered HotForex also offers an advanced trading platform called HotForex RapidTrade FIX/API. The broker specifies that the platform is ideal for those traders that want advanced order types, automated quote engines, improved automated trading systems, and order-routing management systems.

In short, this platform greatly benefits professional retail traders and corporations but do note that it isn’t possible to use this platform immediately. You’ll first need to contact the broker, supplying your personal/company details and your average monthly trade volume. This trading platform also requires a $200,000 minimum deposit, and withdrawals that reduce the account balance below $200,000 are not allowed.

HotForex MetaTrader 4

At HotForex, you can trade using MetaTrader 4. As MT 4 is one of the most popular trading platforms in the world, this is a huge benefit as it means you may already be familiar with the software. If you’re not, don’t worry, as it’s very user friendly.

With the MT4 platform, the broker promises you can trade all of the available instruments. However, as our HotForex reviewers found, you may need to configure the software to work with shares and cryptos.

MetaTrader 4 also gives you access to industry-leading indicators and tools. Preprogrammed analytical tools can even be overlaid to give you more insights. The MQL5 Community, which is surprisingly built into MT4 and not MT5, gives out a wide variety of both paid and free trading signals too.

At HotForex, you can download the MT4 platform or you can use the MT 4 WebTerminal to trade within your browser,

HotForex MetaTrader 5

Some of the best features offered within MT4 are taken to the next level with MT5. The ability to trade all available instruments, without extra work, is one of the biggest advantages of MetaTrader 5 yet there’s plenty of other features to explore too. When trading via MT 5 at HotForex, you can enjoy:

• 21 different time frames
• 44 analytical objects
• Hedging
• Multi-threaded strategy testing
• A built-in economic calendar
• 38 technical indicators
• 6 pending order types
• The ability to build indicators and trading robots

MT5 is the perfect choice at HotForex if you are a more advanced trader who will make the most of these extra tools. You can download the platform for desktop, or use it via WebTerminal, like its predecessor.

HotForex Mobile Trading

If you prefer trading on the go, the good news is that both the MT4 and MT5 trading platforms are available as native mobile apps. This allows you to enjoy HotForex’s wide range of instruments wherever you are. You can download the apps from the iOS App Store and the Android Play Store, and they offer the same capabilities as their desktop counterparts.

What is the execution policy at HotForex?

Throughout our review of HotForex forex broker, our experts found that providing superior trading execution is a main priority for the broker. They offer the ability to enjoy both STP and ECN trading (ECN is available through the Zero Spread Account) and obtain liquidity through major world banks.

All account types can perform market execution – a faster and more sophisticated method than instant execution. This also means that there are no requotes, no limits on trading strategies, and the price is provided directly from the market.

The maximum number of simultaneous positions allowed on HotForex is 500, whereas the maximum order size is 60 standard lots per position. All account types offer fractional pip pricing at the fifth decimal, resulting in more accurate pip quotes.

HotForex markets and products

Our HotForex forex broker review team was pleased to find that HotForex offers instruments in 8 different asset classes. Whilst the total number of instruments is less than at similar brokers, the different asset classes give you a chance to protect your portfolio by choosing non-correlated options. Moreover, there’s no indication that HotForex is stopping with what they’ve got, as they recently added a new instrument type – cryptocurrencies.

Forex pairs

With 50 forex currency pairs available, HotForex gives you access to the most liquid assets in the world. The list includes both majors and minors, as well as exotic pairs. Additionally, certain account types offer tight spreads starting from 0 pips.

Commodities

At HotForex, you can trade commodities as both spot and futures contracts. This includes energy derivatives such as Brent and Crude oil, as well as natural gas, which has low spreads and no commissions. There are also agricultural commodities to choose from, including coffee, copper, and sugar. With ten options available from as little as $10, our review found that HotForex is a great choice for commodity trading.

Precious Metals

You can choose to trade both silver and gold, with Euro and US dollar options. One key advantage of utilizing HotForex to trade in this market is the absence of foreign exchange exposure. The broker also offers Palladium and Platinum spot contracts. Metals at HotForex have low spreads and zero trading commissions, making the trading experience particularly lucrative.

Indices

HotForex offers a total of 23 different indices. These include some of the most popular indices like the EU STOXX 50, US Dollar Index, and US Wall Street. These indices are available as both spot and futures contracts.

Stocks and Shares

Trade shares from some of the most well-known blue-chip companies on the market. From Google to Coca Cola, you’ll be able to enjoy strong liquidity, reliable execution, tight spreads, and fixed commissions of just 0.1%.

Cryptocurrencies

Although cryptocurrencies are a new addition to HotForex, our reviewers were pleased to find that the broker still manages to deliver 12 of the most popular crypto pairs. You can trade the likes of Bitcoin/US Dollar, Ethereum/Euro, and Litecoin/US Dollar with just $1 commission.

Bonds

By offering 3 government bonds – Euro Bund, UK Gilt, and US 10-year Treasury Note – HotForex manages to set itself apart from other brokers. These bonds allow traders to invest in a stable asset and safeguard their funds, as the economies that back those bonds are among the most financially stable nations in the world.

Social Trading

HotForex offers a social trading platform to HFCOPY account holders. This account allows you to copy the trades and strategies of successful traders, focussing on forex, gold, and bitcoin. This feature is especially useful if you are a beginner trader who wants to polish their skills by learning from professionals.

HotForex research tools

During our HotForex review, it became clear that the broker has set itself a goal to offer some of the best research tools available on the market. Among some common features like economic calendars and Forex news, HotForex also offers you more exclusive research tools like expert analysis, free VPS hosting, and free Autochartist indicators.

News

Market news and analysis at HotForex is powered by FXStreet, a leading and reliable source. You can view news from within your browser or by downloading the HF App, and you can also sort stories by currency pair.

Trading signals and indicators

HotForex provides you with an above-average range of trading signals and indicators. For starters, you can choose those created by the MQL5 Community, when using MT 4 or 5. This community provides comprehensive trading signals and suggestions from professionals in the field. As for indicators and technical analysis, each trading platform includes over 30 indicators to help you more informed trading decisions.

If you’re looking for more indicators, HotForex also provides Autochartist tools to all traders, free of charge. Autochartist is a well-respected program that usually costs upwards of $30 per month. This intuitive feature scans all the instruments in your Market Watch section and alerts you immediately when a pattern emerges. You can also benefit from the Autochartist Risk Calculator, which shows you the correct trading volume for your risk appetite.

Trade Ideas

In addition to trading signals, you can find new trading ideas by looking at the HotForex Traders’ Board. This is a sentiment tool, that shows you what other traders are doing. It includes currency mover charts, live charts for currency pairs, and forecasts. Our HotForex review team found this unique tool to be surprisingly useful.

Expert Analysis

HotForex offers extensive analysis created by a team of four experts. This includes both technical and fundamental analysis of forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, indices, and shares. You’ll also benefit from the insights of HotForex’s head market analyst Stuart Cowell. If you prefer long-term strategies, you’ll be happy to learn that the broker also provides expert quarterly and annual outlook reports – a type of analysis that isn’t offered by all competitors.

HotForex education and training

Our HotForex review team found that this online broker is serious about helping new and veteran traders alike, as they offer an extensive range of educational materials. Features include a full-time online course, webinars, and educational events suited to all levels of trader.

Tutorial Videos

There’s a huge selection of video tutorials available at HotForex. These videos explain various aspects of trading such as basic terms, how to use both MetaTrader 4 and 5, how to use technical indicators, and even trader psychology. If you are new to trading, you’ll appreciate how easy these videos are to understand.

Educational PDFs and Academy

Educational eBooks and guides are offered within the Forex Education e-Course. This is a fully online course, which is free for all HotForex clients, designed to teach you the fundamentals of trading.

Live Webinars

The broker provides you with almost daily live webinars in eight different languages. During this HotForex review, we attended several and found them to be very useful. You can ask expert presenters questions, and you’ll receive the answers you need immediately. You can also access past webinars at any time.

YouTube Videos

All of HotForex’s video tutorials and ‘How to Video’ are uploaded to YouTube and then brought to the website. As such, you can expect high-quality streaming, closed captions, and adjustable playing speeds – everything you need to study successfully.

HotForex customer support

Customer support is yet another strong suit of HotForex. Our review team contacted the broker several times and each time the response was impeccable. Support is offered 24/5, via live chat, email, or phone, and you can expect efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly agents.

Pros

Cons

Live chat 24/5

Quick responses

Available in 20 languages

Comprehensive FAQ section

No support offered over weekends for crypto-traders

The exact contact details are as follows:

• Email Address: [email protected]
• Phone Number: +44-2033185978
• Live Chat 24/5

Out of the three contact methods, live chat is the fastest. During this review, our team found that HotForex agents are with you in less than 10 seconds and available around the clock.

If you’d prefer to email the broker, the good news is that there’s a dedicated address for doing so. This means that your emails aren’t mixed up with other services and so you can expect a fast response time. In addition to English international support, HotForex also offers Chinese, Korean, Farsi, and Arabic speaking email addresses.

Phone support is also offered in the languages mentioned above. In addition to a universal free phone number, there are also separate toll-free phone numbers for specific countries. These are available for Russian, Chinese, Brazilian, Taiwanese, Indian, Indonesian, Nigerian, and Turkish clients. In general, we phone support to be quicker than email.

HotForex mobile compatibility

HotForex has a mobile-compatible and user-friendly website. The navigation bar adjusts to a small screen and the functionality is virtually the same: you can contact support just as easily, watch educational videos, and even register for a live account.

HotForex – Our verdict

In reviewing HotForex, our experts found that a well-regulated broker suitable for those who want to trade via the MetaTrader platforms. Whilst the broker offers a limited number of instruments, the diverse range of asset classes still gives you plenty of opportunities to diversify your trading activities. Paired with a higher than average number of account types and an incredible number of tools, HotForex offers you a customizable experience.

Tight spreads, fair deposit limits, and low non-trading fees also make this broker highly accessible. We’d be happy to recommend this broker to traders of all levels, yet we found that intermediate and experienced traders will find it particularly appealing. This is thanks to the advanced platforms and features it supports.

Sign up with HotForex today to benefit from a trusted broker that offers many advantages over its competitors.

HotForex information

• Year Founded: 2010
• Company Trading Names: HotForex and HF Markets
• Licenses: SVGFSA, FCA, DFSA, FSCA, FSA
• Headquarter Address: Suite 305, Griffith Corporate Centre, P.O. Box 1510, Beachmont Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Phone Number: +44-2033185978
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotforexcom
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotforex_broker

Risk Disclaimer: HotForex offers CFD products. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73.57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Our methodology: This review of HotForex has been created using accurate data and unbiased facts. To test the broker, we have used our unique and detailed methodology, which assesses over 200 criteria points in 10 key areas. This guarantees that all of our reviews are fair and extensive.

We update our methodology and our reviews regularly. Methodology updates are made so that new broker features and products are taken into consideration. Review updates ensure that all the information we provide is current and correct.