Direct FX
Uphold
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Uphold was established in 2013 and is based in United States. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while Uphold is regulated by FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Uphold has 4,000,000+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $1.
| Feature | Direct FX | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited, Reg No. 09281410. Uphold HQ Inc. NMLS ID No. 1269875 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2013 |
| Country | New Zealand | United States |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 4,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and Uphold, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $1. Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Uphold does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Direct FX | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Uphold supports a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Direct FX supports social and copy trading features, which Uphold does not offer. Direct FX edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Direct FX | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Not available | Web, Desktop & Mobile Apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Direct FX and Uphold compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Direct FX publishes daily market commentary; Uphold does not. Direct FX integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central); Uphold does not. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. Direct FX scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Direct FX | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
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 Uphold supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Direct FX | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Uphold offer live chat support. Direct FX offers phone support; Uphold does not. Email support is available at both brokers. Direct FX supports 2 languages and Uphold supports 1, giving Direct FX broader global reach. Direct FX scores higher overall on customer support in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English |