Core Spreads
Direct FX
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Overview
Core Spreads was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in London, while Direct FX was established in 2006 and is based in New Zealand. Core Spreads holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while Direct FX is regulated by Unregulated among others. Core Spreads serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Direct FX has 10,000+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $1.
| Feature | Core Spreads | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Unregulated |
| Founded | 2014 | 2006 |
| Country | London | New Zealand |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Core Spreads and Direct FX, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $1. Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Core Spreads charges deposit fees; Direct FX does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Core Spreads | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Core Spreads offers MT4, 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 Core Spreads does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Core Spreads | 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, 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 Core Spreads and Direct FX compare. Direct FX runs regular live webinars; Core Spreads does not. Both provide video tutorials. Direct FX publishes daily market commentary; Core Spreads 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 | Core Spreads | 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. Core Spreads 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 | Core Spreads | 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 Core Spreads 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 | Core Spreads | Direct FX |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |