HYCM and ACY Securities both offer tier-1 regulated trading environments, but they target different types of traders. HYCM leads with broader regulation and asset access, while ACY Securities appeals to cost-focused scalpers with razor-thin raw spreads.
A heritage broker founded in 1977, blending nearly five decades of market experience with tight multi-asset access across forex, stocks, and crypto.
A fees-focused Australian broker built for cost-conscious traders chasing razor-thin spreads from 0 pips.
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | H HYCM | AS ACY Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 1977 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Sydney, Australia |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, DFSA | ASIC |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Spreads From | 0.2 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | $3/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
HYCM
$100
ACY Securities
$50
HYCM
0.2 pips
ACY Securities
0 pips
HYCM
None
ACY Securities
$3/lot
HYCM
None
ACY Securities
None
HYCM
None
ACY Securities
None
HYCM is our recommended pick overall, scoring 3.4/5 versus ACY Securities's 3.2/5 on our independent rating scale. While ACY Securities wins on raw spread pricing with 0 pip spreads, HYCM's stronger triple-licence regulation, broader market access, and commission-free pricing model make it the better all-around choice for most traders in 2026.
HYCM operates under three distinct regulatory licences — the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, and the DFSA in Dubai — giving traders multi-jurisdictional protection and layered oversight. This structure means client funds and trading practices are monitored across several legal frameworks simultaneously, which can offer added peace of mind during disputes or platform issues.
ACY Securities, by comparison, operates under a single ASIC licence out of Australia. ASIC is widely respected as a tier-1 regulator with strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules, so ACY Securities traders are far from unprotected.
Still, when comparing regulatory depth side by side, HYCM's three-licence structure gives it a clear edge for traders who prioritize redundancy and cross-border legal protection over single-jurisdiction simplicity.
ACY Securities technically wins on headline spread pricing, advertising raw spreads from 0 pips on major forex pairs. However, this comes paired with a flat $3 per lot commission charge, meaning the all-in cost isn't quite as simple as the 0 pip figure suggests.
HYCM takes the opposite approach, charging no commission at all and instead building its cost into spreads starting from 0.2 pips. For lower-frequency traders or beginners, this all-inclusive pricing can be easier to budget and track over time.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome consistency across both platforms. High-volume scalpers may still prefer ACY Securities's raw spread model, but casual-to-moderate traders may find HYCM's flat pricing simpler and ultimately more predictable.
ACY Securities offers a lower barrier to entry with a $50 minimum deposit, compared to HYCM's $100 requirement. For traders testing strategies with smaller capital or those just starting out, this $50 difference can matter.
That said, $100 is still a modest entry point in the broader industry context, and the gap between the two brokers isn't large enough to be a deciding factor on its own for most traders with any meaningful trading budget.
Beginners on extremely tight budgets may lean toward ACY Securities purely for the lower deposit threshold, but should weigh that against HYCM's broader feature set before deciding.
HYCM offers access to six asset classes: forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto. ACY Securities covers five of these, notably omitting standalone stock trading from its offering.
Both brokers run on the identical MT4 and MT5 platform suite, meaning traders switching between the two won't face a learning curve on the charting or execution side. Expert advisors, custom indicators, and automated strategies built on MetaTrader are fully portable between the two brokers.
For traders who want equity exposure alongside their forex and CFD trading, HYCM's broader market list gives it a practical advantage in diversification potential.
HYCM has an unusually long operating history, tracing its founding back to 1977 and headquartered in London, UK. Nearly five decades of continuous operation through multiple market cycles lends significant institutional credibility.
ACY Securities is a comparatively newer entrant, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia. While younger, it has still built a reasonable reputation within the ASIC-regulated brokerage space.
Longevity isn't everything, but HYCM's extended track record through various economic cycles, regulatory shifts, and market conditions does provide an added layer of confidence for traders prioritizing institutional stability.
Weighing all factors together, HYCM earns the higher overall rating at 3.4/5 versus ACY Securities's 3.2/5. HYCM's combination of triple-licence regulation, commission-free pricing, broader market access, and decades of operating history make it the stronger all-around package for most traders.
ACY Securities remains a legitimate choice, particularly for scalpers chasing raw spread pricing or beginners prioritizing the lowest possible minimum deposit. But for traders seeking a well-rounded, long-term trading relationship, HYCM is our recommended pick in this comparison.
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
HYCM edges out ACY Securities overall based on our expert rating score.
Highest Rated
HYCM
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
Better for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Lower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Stronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
