Direct FX
ThinkMarkets
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while ThinkMarkets was established in 2010 and is based in Australia & United Kingdom. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while ThinkMarkets is regulated by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA) with license no. 0250 among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; ThinkMarkets has 475,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $0 at ThinkMarkets.
| Feature | Direct FX | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $0 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | the Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA) with license no. 0250, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) with license no. 215/13, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA 629628) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC 424700), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa and the Financial Services Authority (FSA SD060) Seychelles. TF Global Markets (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 629628. TF GLobal Markets (Aust) Limited is the holder of Australian Financial Services Licence number 424700. TF GLobal Markets (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (FSP No 49835). TF Global Markets Int Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, Firm Reference Number SD060 Seychelles |
| Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Country | New Zealand | Australia & United Kingdom |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 475,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and ThinkMarkets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. ThinkMarkets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $0 (vs $1 at Direct FX). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. ThinkMarkets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Direct FX does not. Direct FX charges deposit fees; ThinkMarkets does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Direct FX | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $0 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while ThinkMarkets supports MT4, MT5, a proprietary platform. Direct FX offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for ThinkMarkets is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. Direct FX edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Direct FX | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Windows App | Yes | No |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Not available | MT4, MT5 and ThinkTrader |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Direct FX and ThinkMarkets 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. ThinkMarkets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Direct FX | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ThinkMarkets supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). ThinkMarkets uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. ThinkMarkets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Direct FX | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ThinkMarkets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Direct FX supports 2 languages and ThinkMarkets supports 13, giving ThinkMarkets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Direct FX | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Czech, Greek, Indonesian, Thai, Malay, Italian, Arabic, German, Spanish and Japanese |