CFI Markets
Direct FX
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Overview
CFI Markets was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Cyprus, while Direct FX was established in 2006 and is based in New Zealand. CFI Markets holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while Direct FX is regulated by Unregulated among others. CFI Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Direct FX has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at CFI Markets and $1 at Direct FX.
| Feature | CFI Markets | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) | Unregulated |
| Founded | 2012 | 2006 |
| Country | Cyprus | New Zealand |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between CFI Markets 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 CFI Markets). CFI Markets charges withdrawal fees while Direct FX does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. CFI Markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Direct FX does not. CFI Markets charges deposit fees; Direct FX does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | CFI Markets | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
CFI Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Direct FX supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | CFI Markets | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Mac, Tablet & Mobile apps | Not available |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how CFI Markets 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 | CFI Markets | 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. CFI Markets 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 | CFI Markets | 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 CFI Markets 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 | CFI Markets | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |