Direct FX
Interactive Brokers
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Interactive Brokers was established in 1977 and is based in United States. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while Interactive Brokers is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (AFSL: 453554) and is a participant of ASX among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Interactive Brokers has 1,000,000+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $1.
| Feature | Direct FX | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (AFSL: 453554) and is a participant of ASX, ASX 24 and Chi-X Australia. Is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA register entry number 208159. Is regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI, reference number C423427). Is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Hungary (Magyar Nemzeti Bank) under no. H-EN-III-623/2020. Is regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Is a member of NSE, BSE, SEBI. Regn. No. SEBI Registration No. INZ000217730; NSDL: IN-DP-NSDL-301-2008. CIN-U67120MH2007FTC170004. Is regulated by Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Registration No.187). Is licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (Licence No. CMS100917). |
| Founded | 2006 | 1977 |
| Country | New Zealand | United States |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 1,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and Interactive Brokers, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $1. Interactive Brokers charges withdrawal fees while Direct FX does not, giving Direct FX an edge for frequent withdrawers. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Interactive Brokers does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Direct FX | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Interactive Brokers 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. Interactive Brokers edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Direct FX | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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, NinjaTrader, 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 Interactive Brokers 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. Interactive Brokers scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Direct FX | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Interactive Brokers supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Direct FX | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Interactive Brokers 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 | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |