Direct FX
Hargreaves Lansdown
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Hargreaves Lansdown was established in 1981 and is based in UK. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while Hargreaves Lansdown is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Hargreaves Lansdown has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $200 at Hargreaves Lansdown.
| Feature | Direct FX | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Founded | 2006 | 1981 |
| Country | New Zealand | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and Hargreaves Lansdown, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Direct FX has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $200 at Hargreaves Lansdown). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Hargreaves Lansdown does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Hargreaves Lansdown supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Direct FX supports social and copy trading features, which Hargreaves Lansdown does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Direct FX | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 Hargreaves Lansdown 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 | Direct FX | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Hargreaves Lansdown supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Direct FX | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Direct FX and Hargreaves Lansdown 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 | Direct FX | Hargreaves Lansdown |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |