Direct FX
Exante
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Exante was established in 2011 and is based in Malta. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while Exante is regulated by Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Exante has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $11700 at Exante.
| Feature | Direct FX | Exante |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $11700 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), CySEC. Licence No.: 165/12, FCA, HKMA |
| Founded | 2006 | 2011 |
| Country | New Zealand | Malta |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and Exante, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Direct FX has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $11700 at Exante). Exante charges withdrawal fees while Direct FX does not, giving Direct FX an edge for frequent withdrawers. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Exante does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | Exante |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $11700 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Exante supports MT4, MT5, a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Direct FX supports social and copy trading features, which Exante does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Direct FX | Exante |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Not available | MT4, WEB, desktop |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Direct FX and Exante compare. Direct FX runs regular live webinars; Exante does not. Direct FX has a video library; Exante does not. Direct FX publishes daily market commentary; Exante does not. Direct FX integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central); Exante does not. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. Direct FX scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Direct FX | Exante |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
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 Exante supports 1 (bank transfer). Direct FX uniquely supports credit/debit card among the two brokers. Direct FX scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Direct FX | Exante |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | No |
| 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. Direct FX offers live chat; Exante does not, making Direct FX easier to reach in real time. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 2 languages. Direct FX scores higher overall on customer support in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | Exante |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | No |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |