Direct FX
easyMarkets
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while easyMarkets was established in 2003 and is based in Cyprus, Australia. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while easyMarkets is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; easyMarkets has 142,500+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $100 at easyMarkets.
| Feature | Direct FX | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) |
| Founded | 2006 | 2003 |
| Country | New Zealand | Cyprus, Australia |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 142,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and easyMarkets, 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 easyMarkets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Direct FX charges deposit fees; easyMarkets does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while easyMarkets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. easyMarkets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Direct FX | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Not available | MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Direct FX and easyMarkets 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. easyMarkets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Direct FX | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Direct FX accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while easyMarkets supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller). easyMarkets uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. easyMarkets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Direct FX | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Direct FX and easyMarkets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Direct FX supports 2 languages and easyMarkets supports 5, giving easyMarkets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Direct FX | easyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, German, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and Polish |