Direct FX
Markets.com
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 Markets.com was established in 2008 and is based in Cyprus. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while Markets.com is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Markets.com has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $250 at Markets.com.
| Feature | Direct FX | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) |
| Founded | 2006 | 2008 |
| Country | New Zealand | Cyprus |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and Markets.com, 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 Markets.com). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Markets.com does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Markets.com supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Direct FX | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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, MT5, 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 Markets.com compare. Direct FX runs regular live webinars; Markets.com does not. Both provide video tutorials. Direct FX publishes daily market commentary; Markets.com 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 | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Markets.com supports 3 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal). Markets.com uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. Markets.com scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Direct FX | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| 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 Markets.com offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Direct FX supports 2 languages and Markets.com supports 14, giving Markets.com broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Direct FX | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish |