Directshares
Forex.com
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Overview
Directshares was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while Forex.com was established in 2001 and is based in United States. Directshares holds licences including The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), while Forex.com is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Directshares serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Forex.com has 150,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Directshares and Typical at Forex.com.
| Feature | Directshares | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | Typical |
| Regulation | The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), National Futures Association (NFA) |
| Founded | 2007 | 2001 |
| Country | Australia | United States |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 150,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Directshares and Forex.com, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Directshares has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs Typical at Forex.com). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. Forex.com applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Directshares does not. Directshares charges deposit fees; Forex.com does not. Overall, Directshares scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Directshares | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | Typical |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Directshares offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Forex.com 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 | Directshares | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4,iOS,MacBook,iPhone | MT4, MT5, WebTrader, Advantage Trader Pro, TradingView, Tablet and mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Directshares and Forex.com 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. Directshares scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Directshares | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Directshares accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Forex.com supports 3 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal). Forex.com uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. Forex.com scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Directshares | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| 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 Directshares and Forex.com offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Directshares supports 2 languages and Forex.com supports 3, giving Forex.com broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Directshares | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese, Arabic |