HFM(formerly HotForex) offers a demo account thatcan be opened for free through the member page (myHF).It allows users to practice trading on MT4 and MT5 using virtual money without submitting any identity verification documents.HFMofficial website lists "virtual account balance up to 100,000 USD" as a benefit of the demo account (as of October 15, 2026).
However, according to the official blog,if you do not make any trades for 29 days after opening your demo account, it will be frozen (archived) and cannot be reactivated. Also, if you place in the top 3 in the monthly demo contest, you will receive a trading bonus (1st place: $2,000) on your live account.
This article summarizesHFMFebruary 2026 version), and information published on the official blogHFMdemo contest pages, the demo contest terms and conditions (.
Conclusion | Key Points ofHFMDemo Account
- Open an account for free through myHF. No identity verification documents are required, and you can open up to 3 MT4 and 3 MT5 accounts, for a maximum of 6 accounts (separate from your real account).
- The expiration date depends on how you use it. If there are no transactions for 29 days after opening, the account will be frozen, but you can continue to use it if you continue to make transactions within 60 days thereafter (official blog). There is no way to reset the balance to zero.
- A demo contest is held every month. Participants compete to achieve the highest profit margin using an MT4 account with an initial balance of $10,000 and a fixed leverage of 200x. The top three participants will receive trading bonuses for live accounts ($2,000, $1,000, and $500). Identity verification is required to participate.
*This article was created by the MoneyCharger editorial team in accordance with our content creation policy , based on informationHFMofficial website (demo trading account opening, demo contest, help FAQ), demo contest terms and conditions (HF Markets (SV) Ltd, February 2026 version), and the official blog (demo account details, demo contest, account deletion method). Where numerical values differ within the official blog, the official website page and terms and conditions take precedence, and a note indicating the discrepancy is included. For important points regarding the use of overseas FX brokers, please also refer to information obtained as of October 15, 2026, from published by the Financial Services Agency , and for investment-related solicitation troubles, please refer to information published by the Consumer Affairs Agency
Features of HFMdemo accounts and differences from real accounts
HFM's demo account is a practice account that allows you to trade with virtual money using actual market rates (real-time rates).HFMofficial website states that the demo account is "designed to allow you to simulate trading in an environment very close to actual trading, based on actual market conditions."
| item | Demo account | Real account |
|---|---|---|
| Trading funds | Virtual money (the official website states "up to 100,000 USD") | own funds |
| Profit and loss | No such occurrences will occur (except for prizes in the demo contest) | Occur |
| Identity verification documents | Unnecessary | need |
| Number of openings | Up to 6 accounts (3 MT4 accounts and 3 MT5 accounts) | This is separate from the demo (the upper limit is stated as 10 or 12 in the official blog) |
| Conditions under which it becomes unusable | The account is frozen for 29 days with no trading activity after opening. After that, it is frozen again for 60 days with no trading activity | If there are no trades, deposits, withdrawals, or open positions for 60 days, your account will be archived |
| Bonus Campaign | Not applicable | Eligibility (conditions apply) |
| Trading Tools | MT4, MT5, WebTrader,HFMapp | same |
Account types available in demo accounts
According to the official blog (information as of July 2026), theHFMthe regular practice only demo accounts that can be opened with are Demo Premium account and the Demo Contest account for demo contests . Demo accounts for Pro accounts and Zero accounts cannot be opened . The Demo Premium account has the same specifications as the real Premium account and can be used with MT4, MT5, andHFMapp. While a demo Cent account was selectable on the member page in 2025, there is no current information on its availability on the official website. Please check the account options available on the account opening screen.
The differences between real account types (KATANA, Cent.Zero Pro, Premium, Top-Up Bonus) are explained in " HFMAccount Type Comparison "
Virtual funds and leverage
HFMofficial website states that the "virtual account balance is up to 100,000 USD." The official blog states that the initial virtual money can be freely set andcan be increased later as needed. However, the official blog also contains conflicting information regarding the maximum leverage for demo accounts (500x and 2,000x), so it is best to check the options on the account opening screen.
Expiration Date: Account will be frozen if no transactions are made for 29 days
According to the official blog,HFM's demo accountcan be used indefinitely as long as you make at least one trade within 29 days of opening and at least one trade within 60 days thereafter. If you do not meet these conditions, the account will be frozen (archived) and, in principle, cannot be reactivated, and your trading history will not be accessible. The demo account page on the official website states "unlimited use," but considering the conditions on the official blog, it seems that continuous trading is a prerequisite.
The official blog, "Can't log in to MT5?", states that accounts will be frozen if you don't log in for 29 days, or if you don't trade for 29 days even if you have open positions. If you want to use your demo account for a long time, be sure to place new orders or close positions regularly
How to open an HFMdemo account
You can open an HFMdemo account through theHFMofficial website or the member page (myHF) inHFMapp. The official blog states that you cannot open anHFMdemo account through the "Open a Demo Account" option within the MT4/MT5 app. The procedure is as follows:
STEP 1: Register for anHFMaccount (myHF)
If you are using HFMfor the first time, create an account on the official website by entering your email address and password under "Register," and then enter your profile information (name, date of birth, phone number, etc.).HFMofficial website states that "New customers can create a new Demo account by first registering a myHF account and then accessing the myHF area." You do not need to submit identity verification documents to open a demo account. If you already have an account, log in to myHF
STEP 2: Select "Open a demo account" from myHF
After logging into myHF, click on "Trading Account" → "Open Demo Account" (on a smartphone browser, select the same item from the menu; onHFMapp, go to "My Wallet" → "Demo Account" tab → "Open Demo Account" in the menu). Select the demo account you want to open and tap "Select" (or "Continue" in the app)
STEP 3: Set trading conditions and open an account
After selecting your preferred trading platform (MT4 or MT5) and entering the required information, click "Open Account" to open a demo account. The demo account is automatically set to an initial balance of $10,000 and leverage of 200x, and these settings cannot be changed
STEP 4: Log in to MT4/MT5 and start trading
According to HFM's official Help FAQ, your demo account login information (trading account ID and trader password) will be sent to your registered email address after opening your account. You can log in to your demo account from a platform such as MT4 or MT5, and select a demo server (e.g., "HFMarketsSV-Demo Server" for MT4, or "HFMarketsGlobal-Demo" for MT5). Since the server is different from your real account, be careful not to select the wrong one
Detailed instructions for downloading and logging in are explained in " HFMHow to Download and Log In to 's MT4 " and " HFMHow to Download and Log In to 's MT5". For instructions on opening a real account, please see "How to Open an HFMAccount "
HFMDemo Contest Participation Requirements and Prizes
HFMholds a monthly "Virtual to Reality" demo contest where participants compete for profitability on demo accounts. Participation is free and requires no personal funds; the top three participants receive trading bonuses usable on live accounts. The conditions are outlined in HF Markets (SV) Ltd's Demo Contest Terms and Conditions (February 2026 edition)
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Event period | From 00:01 on the 1st of each month to 23:59 on the last day of the month (server time). You can register anytime during this period |
| Eligibility | HFMYou must already have a trading account withCompletion of identity verification (approval and authentication by the company) is required. |
| Account to use | Demo contest account (MT4). Only one account per person; multiple entries from the same IP address are not allowed |
| Terms of Transaction | Initial balance of $10,000, leverage of 200x (neither can be changed) |
| Tradable stocks | FX, metals, energy, bonds, European stocks, spot and futures stock indices |
| How to determine the rankings | Profit margin = (Ending balance - Beginning balance) ÷ Beginning balance × 100. Negative values are treated as 0%, and the calculation is performed after closing all positions at the end of the month. The performance of the top 10 players is published once a day |
| prize | 1st place: $2,000, 2nd place: $1,000, 3rd place: $500 (trading bonus awarded to live accounts) |
The prize is a trading bonus, and there are conditions for withdrawal
The official website's FAQ answers the question "Is the prize real cash?" with "No, the prize is a trading bonus that will be credited to your live trading account." According to the terms and conditions,the prize itself cannot be withdrawn; only the profits generated from trading using the prize can be withdrawn. To withdraw profits, you need to complete at least 50 round-trip trades and a total of at least 10 standard lots, and you can only request a withdrawal once (the prize amount will be deducted upon withdrawal, and the account will be archived).
The terms and conditions also include the following conditions: If a live account to which a prize has been awarded does not trade for 60 days,HFMreserves the right to revoke the prize and any profits. Individuals who have previously won prizes inHFMcontests or their associates are not eligible to win. Prohibited trading will result in disqualification, and if abuse such as hedging using other accounts or accounts of other companies is suspected, the prize may be revoked or withheld
How to participate in the demo contest
According to the official blog, you can participate in the demo contest by going to "Trading Account" → "Open Demo Account" in myHF, selecting "Demo Contest," and clicking "Open Account." The demo contest account is included in the maximum limit of 6 demo accounts. At the end of the month, the demo contest account for that month will be deleted, so if you wish to participate the following month, you will need to open a new demo contest account. Winners will be announced on the official page at the end of each month
Points to note about HFMdemo accounts
It is not possible to reset the balance to zero
According to the official blog,HFM's demo accounts do not have a reset function to return the balance to zero, nor can funds be transferred to other demo accounts. If you want to start the verification process from the beginning, you will need to open a new demo account (your previous trading history will not be carried over). If you have reached the maximum of 6 accounts, you will need to archive any unnecessary demo accounts before opening a new one
There are no demo accounts for Pro or Zero accounts
The Pro and Zero accounts, which offer narrow spreads, cannot be opened as demo accounts (official blog, as of July 2026). When practicing with a Demo Premium account, estimate your profits and losses assuming that the spreads and trading fees will differ from those of Pro and Zero accounts. Trading costs for each account are compared using " HFM's spreads "
Real accounts use a different server, so execution may not be the same
The official blog states thatHFM's real and demo accounts use separate servers, and that during times of rapid market changes, such as the release of important economic indicators, rates, execution timing, and spreads may not be the same as those on real accounts. The results of a demo account do not guarantee the results of a real account
Not eligible for bonus campaigns
Demo accounts are not eligible for bonuses and promotions such as deposit bonuses (official blog). If you would like to try trading with a bonus, please check the conditions on a real account.HFMThe conditions for bonuses are explained in " HFMBonuses "
How to use HFMdemo account
A demo account is effective for preparing before starting to trade with a real account. Here are some ways to use it:
- Get familiar with MT4/MT5 operation: Practice setting orders, close positions, stop-loss orders, and take-profit orders without worrying about losses.
- Get a feel for lot sizes and leverage: Create a demo account with the same amount of capital you plan to use, and see how much margin you use and how much profit or loss you incur in a single trade.
- Test indicators, strategies, and EAs: According to the official blog, EAs (automated trading systems) can be used on demo accounts just like on real accounts.
On the other hand, in demo trading, where there is no pain of loss, people tend to repeatedly make high-risk trades. When you move to a real account, be sure to follow the rules you set in your demo account, such as the maximum loss per trade, and start with a small amount
How to delete (cancel) your HFMdemo account and real account
At HFM, deleting an account is called "archiving." This refers to an MT4/MT5 trading account, and is separate from deleting theHFMaccount (myHF) itself. According to their official blog, archived accounts cannot be recovered in principle
You do not need to go through the procedure to delete a demo account
Demo accounts you no longer use will be automatically archived if you leave them inactive, so there is no need to cancel them. If you have reached the maximum number of accounts and want to create a new demo account immediately, you can archive yours yourself
Steps to archive your account yourself
- Log in to myHF and find the account you want to delete under "My Trading Accounts" (for demo accounts, click "Demo" in the upper right corner)
- Confirm that your account balance is zero, then click the gear icon on the far right
- Click "Archive (close) account" at the bottom of the menu, confirm your account number, and click "Confirm"
- The process is complete when "Archive Successful" is displayed
If you encounter an error, check your balance, positions, and pending orders (limit orders and stop orders) to see if there are any remaining issues. If the problem persists, contactHFMsupport (official blog "How to delete an account atHFM" updated October 9, 2026)
Real account archiving and account maintenance fees
When deleting a real account, first withdraw all funds, close all positions, and save your transaction history. According to the official blog, real accounts are automatically archived for 60 days if there are no transactions, deposits, withdrawals, or open positions (30 days for cent accounts if the balance is less than 100 cents), and the balance is transferred to your wallet account (myHF wallet)
If all accounts remain archived for another six months, an account maintenance fee will be deducted from your wallet account balance ($5 per month for 6 months to 1 year, $10 per month for 1 to 2 years, $20 per month for 2 to 3 years, and the previous year's monthly fee plus $10 for 3 years or more). If you stop usingHFM, be sure to withdraw your wallet account balance as well. There are no fees for deleting or closing your account
Frequently Asked Questions about HFMDemo Accounts
Does HFMdemo account have an expiration date?
There is no time limit as long as you continue trading. According to the official blog, you can continue using the account as long as you make at least one trade within 29 days of opening it, and at least one trade within 60 days thereafter. If you do not meet these conditions, your account will be frozen (archived) and cannot be reactivated
How many demo accounts can I create with HFM?
You can have a maximum of 6 accounts, with a maximum of 3 MT4 accounts and 3 MT5 accounts (according to the official blog). Demo contest accounts are included in this limit. This is counted separately from the number of real accounts. If you reach the limit, you can open a new account by archiving an unnecessary demo account
Can I reset the balance in my HFMdemo account?
There is no reset function to return the balance to zero. According to the official blog, you can add virtual money later, but if you want to start over, you will need to open a new demo account. Your previous trading history will not be carried over
Is identity verification required to open HFMdemo account?
You do not need to submit identity verification documents to open a demo account. You can open one by registering for a myHF account (entering your profile information such as email address, password, and name). However, if you wish to participate in a demo contest, the terms and conditions require you to complete identity verification
How much is the prize money for HFMdemo contest?
According to the official page and terms of service (February 2026 edition), the top three traders each month will receive $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place as trading bonuses for their live accounts. The prizes themselves cannot be withdrawn, but profits from trades using the prizes can be withdrawn after completing 50 or more round-trip trades and trading a total of 10 standard lots or more
Can I use a Pro account or Zero account with HFMdemo account?
It's not available. The official blog (as of July 2026) states that Pro accounts and Zero accounts cannot be used to open demo accounts. The demo accounts mentioned in the official blog are the Demo Premium account and the Demo Contest account (there is no current information on demo accounts for Cent accounts on the official website)
How do I close my HFMaccount?
MT4 and MT5 trading accounts can be deleted in myHF's "My Trading Accounts" section by selecting "Archive (Close) Account" from the gear icon. You cannot archive an account unless your balance is zero, so please withdraw your funds first. There are no fees for deleting or withdrawing your account (see the official blog "How to Delete an Account atHFM"). Demo accounts are automatically archived if left inactive
Can I create a demo account forHFMusing the MT4/MT5 app?
You cannot create one. The official blog states thatHFMdemo accounts can only be opened throughHFMofficial website orHFMapp, and cannot be opened through the "Open a Demo Account" section within MT4/MT5. Please log in to MT4/MT5 using the login information for the demo account you opened with myHF
Summary:HFMdemo accounts must be used to start trading within 29 days, and contests require confirmation of terms and conditions
- open an account for free through myHF, and no identity verification documents are required. You can open up to 3 accounts each for MT4 and MT5, for a maximum of 6 accounts.
- If there are no transactions for 29 days after opening, the accountwill be frozen, and transactions are required within the next 60 days. The balance cannot be reset, and a new account must be opened to start over.
- Demo contests are held every month. The top 3 participants will receive trading bonuses for live accounts ($2,000, $1,000, and $500). Identity verification is required to participate, and prizes can only be withdrawn for profits, subject to trading volume requirements.
Real accounts are linked to MoneyChat, and cashback is awarded for each trade
Our website, "Money Charger (Manecha),"HFMis an official IB partner ofIf you open a real account through Manecha after practicing with a demo account, you will receive cashback with every trade. Trading conditions, such as spreads, are the same as when opening an account directly through the official website.
| Account type | BTC/USD | Gold (XAU/USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Top-up / Premium | $16.00/lot | $12.00/lot |
| Pro/Zero | $6.40/lot | $5.60/lot |
| KATANA | $2.80/lot | $2.40/lot |
| Saint | $1.60/lot | $0.12/lot |
*Cashback rates may vary. For a list of cashback amounts by account type, how to receive it, and whether you can switch existing accounts, please see "How to Receive HFMCashback ". The procedure for opening an account is explained in " HFMHow to Open an Account ", andHFMthe safety and reputation of are explained in " HFMReviews and Testimonials "
＼ The terms and conditions are the same as the official site, and you get cash back with every transaction! ／
*Demo account and demo contest conditions are subject to change. The information in this article is based on the information posted onHFMofficial website, demo contest terms of use, and official blog as of October 15, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information. Overseas FX trading carries exchange rate fluctuation risk, and the higher the leverage, the greater the potential for significant losses in a short period of time. Investment decisions should be made at your own risk
