Direct FX
Plus500
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Plus500 was established in 2008 and is based in Israel. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while Plus500 is regulated by Plus500UK Ltd authorized & regulated by the FCA (#509909) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Plus500 has 1,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $100 at Plus500.
| Feature | Direct FX | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Plus500UK Ltd authorized & regulated by the FCA (#509909), Plus500CY Ltd authorized & regulated by CySEC (#250/14), Plus500AU Pty Ltd (ACN 153301681), ASIC in Australia AFSL #417727, FMA in New Zealand, FSP #486026 and Authorised Financial Services Provider in South Africa FSP #47546 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2008 |
| Country | New Zealand | Israel |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 1,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and Plus500, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Direct FX has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $100 at Plus500). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Plus500 applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Direct FX does not. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Plus500 does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Plus500 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 | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Plus500 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. Plus500 scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Direct FX | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Plus500 supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill). Plus500 uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill among the two brokers. Plus500 scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Direct FX | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| 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 Plus500 offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Direct FX supports 2 languages and Plus500 supports 15, giving Plus500 broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Direct FX | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Polish, Arabic, Hebrew, Danish, Norwegian, Czech, Slovak, Bulgarian and Chinese |