Direct FX
Virtual Brokers
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Overview
Direct FX was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Virtual Brokers was established in 2008 and is based in Canada. Direct FX holds licences including Unregulated, while Virtual Brokers is regulated by The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) among others. Direct FX serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Virtual Brokers has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Direct FX and $1000 at Virtual Brokers.
| Feature | Direct FX | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1000 |
| Regulation | Unregulated | The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) |
| Founded | 2006 | 2008 |
| Country | New Zealand | Canada |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Direct FX and Virtual Brokers, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Direct FX has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $1000 at Virtual Brokers). Virtual Brokers charges withdrawal fees while Direct FX does not, giving Direct FX an edge for frequent withdrawers. Direct FX charges deposit fees; Virtual Brokers does not. Overall, Direct FX scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Direct FX | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $1000 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Direct FX offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Virtual Brokers 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 | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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,Desktop,iPhone/iOS |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Direct FX and Virtual Brokers 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. Virtual Brokers scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Direct FX | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Virtual Brokers supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Direct FX | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Virtual Brokers 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 | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |