Direct FX
SpreadCo
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while SpreadCo was established in 2005 and is based in London. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while SpreadCo is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; SpreadCo has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $100 at SpreadCo.
| Feature | Direct FX | SpreadCo |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Founded | 2006 | 2005 |
| Country | New Zealand | London |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and SpreadCo, 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 SpreadCo). SpreadCo charges withdrawal fees while Direct FX does not, giving Direct FX an edge for frequent withdrawers. Direct FX charges deposit fees; SpreadCo does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | SpreadCo |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while SpreadCo 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 | SpreadCo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 SpreadCo compare. Direct FX runs regular live webinars; SpreadCo does not. Both provide video tutorials. Direct FX publishes daily market commentary; SpreadCo 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 | SpreadCo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 SpreadCo supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Direct FX | SpreadCo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 SpreadCo 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 | SpreadCo |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |