CMC Markets
Directshares
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Overview
CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in UK, while Directshares was established in 2007 and is based in Australia. CMC Markets holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while Directshares is regulated by The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) among others. CMC Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Directshares has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at CMC Markets and $100 at Directshares.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Directshares |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) |
| Founded | 1989 | 2007 |
| Country | UK | Australia |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between CMC Markets and Directshares, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Directshares has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $200 at CMC Markets). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. CMC Markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Directshares does not. Directshares charges deposit fees; CMC Markets does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Directshares |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
CMC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Directshares supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Directshares supports social and copy trading features, which CMC Markets does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Directshares |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Web Trader, Binary, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4,iOS,MacBook,iPhone |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how CMC Markets and Directshares 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 | CMC Markets | Directshares |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. CMC Markets accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Directshares supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Directshares |
|---|---|---|
| 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 CMC Markets and Directshares offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. CMC Markets supports 8 languages and Directshares supports 2, giving CMC Markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Directshares |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, German, French, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian | English, and Chinese |