Directshares
IG
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Overview
Directshares was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while IG was established in 1974 and is based in UK. Directshares holds licences including The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), while IG is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Directshares serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; IG has 178,500+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Directshares and $200 at IG.
| Feature | Directshares | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Regulation | The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) |
| Founded | 2007 | 1974 |
| Country | Australia | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 178,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Directshares and IG, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Directshares has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $200 at IG). Directshares charges withdrawal fees while IG does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Directshares charges deposit fees; IG does not. Overall, IG scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Directshares | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Directshares offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while IG 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 | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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, Mac, Web Trader, L2 Dealer, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Directshares and IG 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 | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IG supports 3 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal). IG uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. IG scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Directshares | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IG offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Directshares supports 2 languages and IG supports 5, giving IG broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Directshares | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese |