HYCM vs Seacrest Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers HYCM and Seacrest Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - HYCM or Seacrest Markets?
Our pick: HYCM
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - HYCM looks preferable to Seacrest Markets.
HYCM scored 4.2/5 and ranks 37 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 51.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is HYCM suitable for?
Broker HYCM is suitable for most traders, but some features may not meet the expectations of specific traders.
Who is Seacrest Markets suitable for?
Suitable for retail and active Forex and CFD traders who value high leverage and straightforward trading conditions.
Comparison Table of HYCM and Seacrest Markets
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1977 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, United Arab Emirates | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | HYCM Review | Seacrest Markets Review |
HYCM Review
HYCM is one of the Forex and CFD market leaders whose reputation is backed by strict regulation by major financial authorities such as the FCA, CySEC and DFSA. This ensures high protection of the client's funds and compliance with regulatory standards. The broker offers a wide range of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, recognized as some of the most reliable and functional in the industry. The variety of trading instruments available allows you to create a diverse investment portfolio, while a rich selection of educational resources supports traders at all stages of their professional development.
HYCM will be most suitable for traders looking for reliability and diversity in the toolkit without worrying about high commissions and a lack of innovative platforms. This broker is ideal for experienced traders who can use the analytical and educational resources provided to improve their trading strategies.
Pros and Cons of HYCM
Pros
- Well-regulated broker.
- An extensive set of educational materials.
- Diversity of trading assets.
Cons
- Absence of proprietary trading platform.
- No social trading.
HYCM is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Seacrest Markets Review
Seacrest Markets is a CFD broker with moderate regulation (FSCA), a transparent fee structure, and an accessible entry threshold starting from $50. Trading is conducted via MetaTrader 5, covering major asset classes, with leverage available up to 1:500. The conditions are tailored to retail traders who value clear costs and a straightforward onboarding process.
The broker is best suited for:
retail traders working with Forex and major CFDs;
active traders seeking high leverage;
traders who appreciate 24/7 support and an easy account opening process.
It may be less suitable for investors looking for Tier-1 regulation, an extensive range of stocks and ETFs, or advanced institutional research.
Pros and Cons of Seacrest Markets
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license and formal regulation of brokerage activity.
- Low minimum deposit — from $50.
- 24/7 support and a strong community.
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation and no compensation funds.
- Limited number of trading instruments compared to large brokers.
- No web-based platform and no alternative to MetaTrader 5.
Reliability
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1977 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, United Arab Emirates | South Africa |
| Regulators |
HYCM
Broker HYCM provides high reliability and security, being under the control of various strict regulators around the world.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets’ reliability can be described as moderate: the broker is regulated by the FSCA (Tier-2) but does not hold Tier-1 licenses or participate in compensation schemes, which reduces the level of protection compared to major international brokers.
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license
- Transparent registration information
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation
Account Opening
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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HYCM
The account opening process at HYCM is simple and convenient, ensuring a smooth start for traders. However, verification and financial profile completion may take time.
Pros
- Quick registration, taking less than 5 minutes.
- Straightforward and understandable registration process.
Cons
- Necessity to fill out a detailed financial profile.
- Minimum deposit of $100 may be high for beginners.
Seacrest Markets
Opening an account with Seacrest Markets is fast and without unnecessary bureaucracy: online registration, verification within a day, and clear requirements make the process convenient for most traders.
Pros
- Simple online registration
- Verification within 24 hours
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- Mandatory extended KYC questionnaire
Account Types
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
HYCM
HYCM offers a variety of trading accounts suitable for different levels of experience, but some account types are missing.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets offers classic trading accounts with a clear fee structure. The lineup suits different trading styles, though the overall variety and depth of account options remain moderate.
Pros
- Availability of Classic and ECN accounts
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts
Commissions
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0.1 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$4.00 | per 1 lot$3.50 |
HYCM
HYCM charges average trading fees and an account inactivity fee.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' fees are around the market average: spreads and swaps are comparable to competitors, and the ECN commission remains competitive. The cost structure is transparent and without notable hidden charges.
Pros
- Market-average spreads
- No withdrawal fee except for bank transfers
Cons
- There is an account inactivity fee
- Swaps can be significant for long-term trading
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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HYCM
HYCM offers a flexible and cost-effective approach to account funding and withdrawal of funds.
Seacrest Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Seacrest Markets are organized in a standard and convenient way: cards, bank transfer, and cryptocurrencies are available. The procedures are transparent, but the range of methods remains basic.
Pros
- Support for Visa/Mastercard
- Crypto transfers available
- Clear procedure via the client portal
Cons
- Limited selection of local payment systems
- Fee for withdrawals via bank transfer
Markets and Products
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Forex | 72 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 4 | 2 |
| Indices | 27 | 6 |
| Stocks | 1080 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 28 | 4 |
HYCM
HYCM offers a wide range of trading instruments, satisfying the diverse needs of traders.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' market offering covers key asset classes and suits most retail strategies, but it falls behind large multi-asset brokers in breadth of instruments.
Pros
- Key asset classes (Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies)
- High leverage up to 1:500
Cons
- Limited overall number of instruments
- No stocks or ETFs
Trading Platforms
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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|
HYCM
HYCM offers reliable and functional trading platforms MT4 and MT5, available on various devices and supporting automated trading.
Pros
- Availability of popular and functional platforms MT4 and MT5.
- Extensive capabilities for technical analysis and automated trading.
- Support for many devices, including desktop computers and mobile devices.
Cons
- Lack of a proprietary unique platform.
Seacrest Markets
MetaTrader 5 provides full functionality for analysis and trading, but platform choice is limited to a single terminal and there is no web version, which reduces access flexibility.
Pros
- Support for algorithmic trading
- iOS and Android mobile apps
Cons
- No web version
- No alternative platforms
Analytics
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
HYCM
HYCM offers good analytical tools, but the regularity and variety of materials could be improved.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' analytics cover key needs of retail traders: video reviews, articles, and built-in analysis tools. The content is practical, but it is geared mainly toward beginner and intermediate levels.
Pros
- Regular video analysis
- Economic calendar and market widgets
- TradingView integration
Education
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
HYCM
HYCM's educational materials cover a wide range of topics and are available in various formats, making them useful for traders of different levels.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' educational materials cover basic CFD and Forex topics and are suitable for beginners, but the education section is limited to a blog format without an extended learning program.
Pros
- Structured blog
Cons
- No comprehensive courses
- No webinars or podcasts
Customer Support
| Broker | HYCM | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
| — |
| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Discord
TikTokHYCM
HYCM provides efficient and professional technical support, with some nuances.
Pros
- A sufficiently broad range of communication channels.
- Quick and professional response.
- Positive client reviews.
Cons
- Lack of 24/7 support.
- Can only call an international phone number.
- Absence of messenger services among communication channels.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' support operates 24/7 and provides quick contact via live chat. A strong community enhances client service, but the set of communication channels remains standard.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- Live chat on the website
- Active community (Discord and social media)
Cons
- No extensive phone support
- No personal managers
- Limited selection of communication channels
Comparisons of HYCM and Seacrest Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
HYCM stands out as the better overall pick, while Seacrest Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
HYCM scored 4.2/5 and ranks 37 in our rating; Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 51.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: HYCM or Seacrest Markets?
HYCM comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.2/5, position 37) versus Seacrest Markets (score 4.1/5, position 51).
Which broker is better for beginners: HYCM or Seacrest Markets?
HYCM is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — HYCM or Seacrest Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with HYCM and Seacrest Markets?
HYCM: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. Seacrest Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with HYCM and Seacrest Markets?
HYCM: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Seacrest Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by HYCM and Seacrest Markets?
HYCM: Classic, Fixed, Raw. Seacrest Markets: Classic, ECN. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by HYCM and Seacrest Markets?
HYCM: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Seacrest Markets: Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — HYCM or Seacrest Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
