HFM and Axi differ in account types and in how they set deposit amounts, so they are hard to compare unless the figures sit side by side.
Lined up on the same items, the gap shows in maximum leverage and stop out. HFM lists up to 1:2000 (unlimited on KATANA) and a 20% stop out on five accounts. Axi lists up to 1:1000 and publishes no single stop out level for Japan.
After reading, you can match your own priority to a broker and an account and know which figures to confirm first (checked October 2026).
HFM vs Axi: the short answer
- Accounts: HFM lists six; Axi lists three (Standard, Premium, Elite)
- Lowest commission-free spread: HFM from 0.3 pips (KATANA); Axi from 0.7 pips on EUR/USD (Standard)
- Deposit: four HFM accounts list USD 0; Axi Standard has no set minimum, only payment-method minimums
- Stop out: HFM 20% on five accounts (0% on KATANA); Axi publishes no single level
- Bonus: HFM has a standing Top-Up 20% bonus; Axi's 25% JP25Axi is scheduled to run to the end of October
- Platforms: HFM lists WebTrader and the HFM app; Axi lists the Axi app (Standard only)
Spreads are listed minimums, not the value you get at the time of a trade. HFM's figure covers forex overall and Axi's is for EUR/USD, so the bases differ. Your client portal takes priority over this article. FX and CFDs can lose some or all of your deposit.
HFM vs Axi: entity and registration as published
The entity you sign with depends on your country and the registration screen. Check what each broker publishes rather than relying on reviews.
- HFM: the applicable entity and licence are shown at registration
- HFM: the risk warning on its official site names HF Markets (SV) Ltd (checked 26 September 2026)
- Axi: this site lists AxiTrader LLC (registered with the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines FSA, 4303 LLC 2025)
- Axi: member of The Financial Commission (this site's broker data)
- Do not apply notices written for another country or another entity to your own account
Before depositing, save the entity name and the terms shown at registration. Read the terms for fund handling and withdrawals.
Is HFM a scam? Checking its safety against official information
HFM vs Axi: account types, spreads and commissions
HFM lists six accounts and Axi lists three. The table puts the main figures side by side.
| Item | HFM | Axi |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts | Premium, Cent, Pro, Zero, KATANA, Top-Up Bonus | Standard, Premium, Elite |
| Commission-free accounts | Premium, Cent, Top-Up Bonus: from 1.4 pips. Pro: from 0.6. KATANA: from 0.3 | Standard: from 0.7 pips on EUR/USD |
| Commission accounts | Zero: from 0 pips on forex plus USD 6 round turn per standard lot | Premium: from 0.0 pips plus USD 4.5 round turn per lot. Elite: from 0.0 pips plus USD 3.5 round turn per lot |
| Spread basis | Minimum spread published by HFM (variable) | Minimum EUR/USD spread on Axi's account types page (variable) |
※ HFM Zero's commission is this site's verified data (1 September 2026). The commission column on HFM's comparison table shows no figure, so confirm it when you open the account.
A spread is the gap between the buy and sell price. A commission is a separate fee per lot. Compare the two together.
On one lot of EUR/USD, a USD 6 round turn is about 0.6 pips and USD 4.5 is about 0.45 pips. The bases differ, so do not read the listed gap as the cost gap.
HFM vs Axi: minimum deposit and first deposit
| Tier | HFM | Axi |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest entry | Premium, Cent, Zero, Top-Up Bonus: USD 0 | Standard: no set first-deposit amount; payment-method minimums only |
| Middle | Pro: USD 100 / EUR 100 / JPY 13,000 | Premium: USD 500 first deposit (no limit afterwards) |
| Upper | KATANA: USD 500 / EUR 430 / JPY 80,000 | Elite: USD 25,000 first deposit (ask Axi support about later deposits) |
| Per-method minimums | Bank transfer JPY 1,000, cards JPY 750, crypto USD 30 and others | Crypto USD 30, Neteller USD 5, Skrill and PayPal USD 10. Peska and Global Money Transfer are shown in the portal |
HFM's 0 means its comparison page lists no minimum. You still need margin to trade. Axi's official account types page showed a recommended minimum of USD 100 for Standard on 17 October 2026, which differs from this site's broker data, so confirm the figure in the portal.
HFM vs Axi: leverage and stop out
Stop out is the margin level at which positions are closed automatically. This is where the two brokers differ most.
| Item | HFM | Axi |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum leverage | KATANA unlimited. Premium, Cent, Pro, Zero 1:2000. Top-Up Bonus 1:1000 | 1:1000 on Standard, Premium and Elite |
| Margin call | 50% on five accounts; 20% on KATANA | Notice when margin level falls below 100% |
| Stop out | 20% on five accounts; 0% on KATANA | No single level on the Japan-facing official pages |
| What changes the limit | HFM notes that leverage may be adjusted | May differ by account, instrument and balance |
Until you know it, size positions as if action could come before the 100% margin call. HFM's KATANA stops out at 0%, so positions stay open until equity is near zero, and losses can grow large.
HFM vs Axi: deposits and withdrawals
| Item | HFM | Axi |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit methods | Seven: bank transfer, cards (JCB, VISA), crypto, EXONE, bitwallet, BINANCE PAY | Crypto, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Peska, Global Money Transfer |
| Deposit fee | No HFM fee | No Axi fee within a monthly limit; fees may apply above it |
| Crediting | Within 10 minutes to instant | E-wallets and internet banking transfer instant; crypto 0 to 15 minutes |
| Withdrawal rule | Accepted 24/7. Withdraw by the method you deposited with, as a rule | Request in the portal under Funds. Funds return to the source (RTS). Own name only |
※ Fees charged by banks, payment companies and crypto networks are not included in either broker's figures. Check with your provider before sending.
Both send withdrawals back along the deposit route, so choose a deposit method with the withdrawal in mind.
HFM vs Axi: platforms and copy trading
| Item | HFM | Axi |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 and MT5 | Supported | Supported |
| Own tools | WebTrader, HFM app | Axi trading app (Standard account only) |
| Copy trading | HFM Copy Trading (formerly HFcopy). Copy accounts: Cent, Premium, Pro | Axi Copy Trading app. Links an MT4 or MT5 account |
| Follower minimum deposit | Cent USD 10, Premium USD 25, Pro USD 100 | No minimum requirement (official Help Center, checked 27 September 2026) |
| Performance fee | Providers receive up to 50% of profit | Set by each signal provider; capped at 50% |
※ The Axi trading app is for the Standard account. Premium and Elite accounts trade on MT4 or MT5.
With copy trading, the provider's losses also appear in your account. Past results do not guarantee future results.
HFM vs Axi: bonuses and promotions
- HFM: the Top-Up Bonus account adds a 20% trading bonus on deposits
- HFM: the total cap is USD 5,000 (checked 1 September 2026)
- HFM: the bonus itself cannot be withdrawn; profit made with it can
- HFM: withdrawing removes the same share of the bonus
- HFM: for limited-time promotions, check the period, eligible accounts and terms each time
- Axi: the 25% cushion deposit bonus (JP25Axi) is limited-time
- Axi: it is scheduled to run to the end of October; check the end time in the portal
- Axi: 25% of the first deposit, up to USD 500, minimum deposit USD 125, for customers resident in Japan
- Axi: the credit cannot be withdrawn; withdrawing or transferring between accounts before the end cancels it
- Axi: the 100% loyalty bonus (AXI100) does not apply to residents of Japan
HFM's 20% is standing and Axi's 25% is limited-time. Each comes with eligible accounts, a period and rules for withdrawals.
Before you deposit, confirm the rate, cap and eligibility in your client portal.
HFM or Axi first? Choosing by what matters to you
- 01You want to start with a small deposit
HFM lists USD 0 for Premium, Cent, Zero and Top-Up Bonus. Axi Standard has payment-method minimums only.
- 02You want a standing bonus
Check HFM's Top-Up Bonus account. Axi's offer is limited-time, so read its terms before it ends.
- 03You want the stop out level up front
HFM's official accounts page lists 20% (0% on KATANA). For Axi, ask support for the level on your account.
- 04Maximum leverage matters most
HFM lists up to 1:2000 (unlimited on KATANA) and Axi lists 1:1000. Both have conditions.
- 05You want total cost with commission
Compare HFM Zero with Axi Premium by adding the spread and the round-turn commission.
- 06You choose by tool
HFM offers WebTrader and the HFM app. Axi offers its app (Standard only) and the Copy Trading app.
Figures vary by region and over time. Use this article as a checklist and confirm the final numbers in your client portal.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the difference between HFM and Axi?
A. They differ in account count, deposits, stop out and bonuses. HFM lists six accounts with a 20% stop out on five of them. Axi lists three accounts (Standard, Premium, Elite) and publishes no single stop out level for Japan.
Q. Which has the tighter spread, HFM or Axi?
A. The lowest listed figure is 0 pips on HFM Zero and 0.0 pips on Axi Premium and Elite, and both add a commission. Without commission, HFM KATANA lists 0.3 pips and Axi Standard 0.7 pips on EUR/USD. The bases differ, so compare with commission added.
Q. How do HFM and Axi differ on stop out?
A. HFM lists 20% on five accounts and 0% on KATANA (checked 20 October 2026). Axi's Japan-facing pages give no single level. Its margin call notice comes when the margin level falls below 100%.
Q. Do HFM and Axi both offer deposit bonuses?
A. HFM has a standing 20% bonus on the Top-Up Bonus account. Axi's 25% cushion bonus (JP25Axi) is scheduled to run to the end of October. Check eligibility and withdrawal rules in the portal for both.
Q. What is the minimum deposit at HFM and Axi?
A. HFM lists USD 0 for Premium, Cent, Zero and Top-Up Bonus, USD 100 for Pro and USD 500 for KATANA. Axi Standard has no set first deposit, Premium is USD 500 and Elite USD 25,000. Payment-method minimums apply separately.
Sources and conditions
- HFM official: Compare Trading Accounts (checked 20 October 2026) →
- HFM official: Deposit options (checked 26 September 2026) →
- HFM official: Bonus offerings (verified 1 September 2026) →
- HFM official: Copy Trading for followers (checked 20 October 2026) →
- Axi official: Account types (checked 17 October 2026) →
- Axi Help Center: What you need to know about margin (checked 17 October 2026) →
- Axi Help Center: Minimum deposit (checked 26 September 2026) →
- Axi official: Axi Copy Trading app (checked 27 September 2026) →
- HFM on this site →
- Axi on this site →
- Advertising disclosure and risk warning →
FX Textbook is an independent information site, not a broker or provider of personal investment advice. Forex and CFDs involve risk. You may lose some or all of your invested capital. No trading result is guaranteed.
NEXT STEP
Matched your priority? Check the HFM account terms next.
The broker page lists HFM's six accounts, spreads and promotions. Axi's three accounts are on the Axi broker page.
Brokers covered in this column
Account types, trading conditions and current offers are on each broker page.