Bell Direct
Direct FX
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Overview
Bell Direct was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Direct FX was established in 2006 and is based in New Zealand. Bell Direct holds licences including Financial Markets Authority (FMA), while Direct FX is regulated by Unregulated among others. Bell Direct serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Direct FX has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Bell Direct and $1 at Direct FX.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Regulation | Financial Markets Authority (FMA) | Unregulated |
| Founded | 1983 | 2006 |
| Country | New Zealand | New Zealand |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Bell Direct and Direct FX, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Direct FX has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $100 at Bell Direct). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Bell Direct applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Direct FX does not. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Bell Direct does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Bell Direct offers MT5, cTrader, while Direct FX supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Direct FX supports social and copy trading features, which Bell Direct does not offer. Direct FX edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | No | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Android,WEB,Desktop,iPhone,Mac | Not available |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Bell Direct and Direct FX compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Bell Direct accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Direct FX supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Bell Direct and Direct FX offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 2 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |