Abstract Iterative methods are crucial in numerical analysis for approximating solutions to nonlinear problems encountered in various fields, such as biomathematics, thermodynamics, chemical engineering, and fluid mechanics. This paper introduces innovative iterative methods of convergence orders three and six to eight, developed using the homotopy perturbation technique (HPT). We address the limitations of traditional derivative-based methods by incorporating divided differences, resulting in derivative-free schemes with optimal convergence properties. We present four newly designed algorithms (HPM1, HPM2, HPM3, and HPM4) and provide a comprehensive convergence analysis. Numerical simulations and basins of attraction demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed methods compared to existing methods of the same order. The proposed methods exhibit faster convergence and larger basins of attraction, making them highly effective for solving nonlinear equations. Our new numerical methods rely on approximations and iterative processes, with each small step bringing us closer to the exact solution. Exploring these numerical methods encourages us to apply mathematics to solve challenging problems in physics, engineering, finance, and more.