CM Trading
Direct FX
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Overview
CM Trading was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Seychelles, while Direct FX was established in 2006 and is based in New Zealand. CM Trading holds licences including Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), while Direct FX is regulated by Unregulated among others. CM Trading serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Direct FX has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $250 at CM Trading and $1 at Direct FX.
| Feature | CM Trading | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $1 |
| Regulation | Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) | Unregulated |
| Founded | 2011 | 2006 |
| Country | Seychelles | New Zealand |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between CM Trading 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 $250 at CM Trading). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. CM Trading applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Direct FX does not. Direct FX charges deposit fees; CM Trading does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | CM Trading | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
CM Trading 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 | CM Trading | 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, Mirror Trader, Sirix, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | Not available |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how CM Trading and Direct FX compare. Direct FX runs regular live webinars; CM Trading does not. Both provide video tutorials. Direct FX publishes daily market commentary; CM Trading does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. Direct FX maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Direct FX scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | CM Trading | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. CM Trading 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 | CM Trading | 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 CM Trading 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 | CM Trading | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |