B
Directshares logo

Directshares

7.3/10
Skilling logo

Skilling

7.5/10
6/10RegulationWinner7/10
4/10FeesWinner8/10
9/10PlatformsTied9/10
10/10WinnerEducation & Research6/10
4/10Deposits & WithdrawalsTied4/10
10/10SupportTied10/10

BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.

Overview

Directshares was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while Skilling was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. Directshares holds licences including The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), while Skilling is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) among others. Directshares serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Skilling has 5,000+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $100.

Skilling wins this category
FeatureDirectsharesSkilling
Min. Deposit$100$100
RegulationThe Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM)Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), CIF license number 357/18, Financial Services Authority (FSA) under license No. SD042
Founded20072016
CountryAustraliaCyprus
Clients10,000+5,000+

Fees

Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Directshares and Skilling, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $100. Directshares charges withdrawal fees while Skilling does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Directshares charges deposit fees; Skilling does not. Overall, Skilling scores higher on fees in our assessment.

Skilling wins this category
FeatureDirectsharesSkilling
Min. Deposit$100$100
Withdrawal FeesYesNo
Inactivity FeesNoNo
Deposit FeesYesNo
CFD FeesNoNo

Platforms

Directshares offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Skilling 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.

Tied
FeatureDirectsharesSkilling
MT4YesYes
MT5YesYes
cTraderYesYes
Windows AppYesYes
iOS AppYesYes
Android AppYesYes
Trading PlatformsMT4,iOS,MacBook,iPhoneMT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps

Education & Research

Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Directshares and Skilling 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.

Directshares wins this category
FeatureDirectsharesSkilling
Forex EducationYesNo
CFD EducationYesYes
Weekly WebinarsYesYes
Daily CommentaryYesYes
Trading CentralYesYes
AutochartistYesNo

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 Skilling supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.

Tied
FeatureDirectsharesSkilling
Bank TransferYesYes
Credit CardYesYes
PayPalNoNo
SkrillNoNo
NetellerNoNo

Support

Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Directshares and Skilling 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.

Tied
FeatureDirectsharesSkilling
Live ChatYesYes
Phone SupportYesYes
Email SupportYesYes
LanguagesEnglish, and ChineseEnglish, and Chinese