Direct FX
ifc markets
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while ifc markets was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while ifc markets is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; ifc markets has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $250 at ifc markets.
| Feature | Direct FX | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F259 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2016 |
| Country | New Zealand | Cyprus |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and ifc markets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Direct FX has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $250 at ifc markets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. ifc markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Direct FX does not. Direct FX charges deposit fees; ifc markets does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while ifc markets supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Direct FX supports social and copy trading features, which ifc markets does not offer. Direct FX edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Direct FX | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Not available | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, 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 ifc markets compare. Direct FX runs regular live webinars; ifc markets does not. Both provide video tutorials. Direct FX publishes daily market commentary; ifc markets 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 | Direct FX | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| 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 ifc markets supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). ifc markets uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. ifc markets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Direct FX | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| 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 ifc markets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Direct FX supports 2 languages and ifc markets supports 8, giving ifc markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Direct FX | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |