Established in 2013, STARTRADER is a versatile multi-asset CFD broker. Whether you’re interested in forex, commodities, indices, stocks, or cryptocurrencies, STARTRADER provides access to the renowned MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Our evaluation revealed that the broker offers a moderate range of assets and competitive spreads, making it a favorable option for traders globally.
Pros | Cons |
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When reviewing a broker, we assess if it suits different trading strategies and trader profiles. To achieve this, we evaluate the availability of the necessary features and tools. Here’s our verdict about STARTRADER:
STARTRADER offers more than 850 tradable instruments at competitive spreads and two popular retail trading platforms – MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. However, the broker lacks comprehensive educational content.
The broker has developed an excellent proprietary trading platform for social and copy trading, on which signal providers and signal followers can interact and benefit from each other’s needs and goals.
STARTRADER offers a diverse range of lower-risk securities like ETFs and higher-yield/risk assets, such as share CFDs, allowing swing traders to exploit longer-term opportunities and also hedge their market exposure. However, the broker’s swap fees were quite elevated during my test.
Day traders can benefit from STARTRADER’s diverse instrument offering and better-than-average spreads. On the other hand, the broker does not offer any top-of-the-line research content, such as trading signals by Trading Central or Autochartist.
Scalpers can utilize MetaTrader’s one-click trading, allowing for instant entries. Moreover, the broker offers Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting for low-latency trading and ultra-fast order execution speeds of around 5 milliseconds.
STARTRADER has a vast pool of liquidity providers, meaning that the broker maintains high execution standards even when the market is strained. However, it lacks robust market research, which is crucial for news trading.
The broker incorporates MT4 and MT5, which facilitate algo trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). The two platforms also have built-in strategy testers so that traders can perfect the parameters of their algorithms. Moreover, algo traders can achieve ultra-fast order execution speeds using VPS hosting.
The broker does not provide any real stocks for value investing.
StarTrader stands out with its competitive spreads and VPS reimbursement program, features that are particularly valuable for seasoned traders. Additionally, the broker’s cryptocurrency offerings are notably robust compared to the industry standards.
I opened a Standard account with the STARTRADER International Pty Ltd entity and performed my tests on the desktop and mobile versions of the MetaTrader 5 platform. Some features and services may vary depending on where you reside.
☑️ Regulations | FSCM (Mauritius), ASIC (Australia), FSA (Seychelles) |
🗺 Supported Languages | English, French, Portuguese, Thai, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian |
💰 Products | Currencies, Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Indices, Commodities |
💵 Min Deposit | $50 |
💹 Max Leverage | 1:500 (FSCM), 1:30 (ASIC), 1:500 (FSA) |
🖥 Trading Desk Type | No dealing desk, ECN |
📊 Trading Platforms | MT5, MT4 |
💳 Deposit Options | PerfectMoney, Wire Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, E-wallets, SticPay, Cryptocurrencies, SolidPay, CroinPlus, BetcatPay, My Fatoorah, Credit Card, Debit Card |
💳 Withdrawal Options | Wire Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PerfectMoney, E-wallets, SticPay, Cryptocurrencies, Credit Card, Debit Card, My Fatoorah, BetcatPay, CroinPlus, SolidPay |
🤴 Demo Account | Yes |
🗓 Foundation Year | 2013 |
🌎 Headquarters Country | Seychelles |
Established in 2013, STARTRADER operates through five entities across the globe. Three of these entities are regulated by ASIC, FSC Mauritius, and FSA Seychelles, while the remaining two are unregulated and registered offshore. STARTRADER offers negative balance protection and ensures client funds are held in segregated accounts for added security.
Entity Features | Startrader Prime Global Pty Ltd | Startrader Financial Markets Limited | STARTRADER Ltd | STARTRADER International PTY Ltd | STARTRADER LLC |
Country/Region | Australia, Sydney | Mauritius, Ebene | Seychelles, Mahe | Hong Kong | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
Regulation | ASIC | FSC | FSA | Unregulated | Unregulated |
Tier | 1 | 3 | 3 | NA | NA |
Segregated Funds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compensation Scheme | No | No | Up to EUR 20,000 under The Financial Commission | No | Excess of Loss Policy of up to $1 million + Up to EUR 20,000 under The Financial Commission |
Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:500 | 1:500 | 1:500 | 1:500 |
In our reviews, we examine the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker, allowing us to compare their different levels of protection. We rank licenses by various regulatory bodies on a three-tier system, where Tier-1 licensing indicates the highest level of regulation.
Brokers operate multiple entities globally, but regulatory protections vary. Some regulators enforce stricter financial standards than others, so traders should understand the safety measures of the entity they choose to open an account with.
Here is what you need to be looking for in a broker in terms of safety mechanisms:
In our Trust category assessments, we evaluate factors tied to stability and transparency, including the broker’s longevity, company size, and information transparency.
I reviewed the broker’s legal documents and policies and found everything to be in order. STARTRADER’s Client Agreement is easily accessible on the website, with all relevant information presented clearly. The language used is straightforward, making it easy for even less experienced traders to understand the terms and conditions.
However, my main concern is the absence of live spread data on the main webpage. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for traders to accurately evaluate the broker’s fees.
In summary, my research indicated that STARTRADER can be regarded as having a sufficient level of trust and stability due to the following factors:
I assessed STARTRADER’s trading fees to be competitive. My tests showed that spreads for the Standard Account were mostly lower than the industry average, while the swap fees were slightly higher.
For this review, I tested the Standard Account, which features floating spreads, swap/rollover fees, and zero commissions. STARTRADER also offers a commission-based account.
I tested StarTrader’s spreads on 2 December 2024 during the London and New York opens. The results are shown in the table below:
Instrument | Live spread AM | Live spread PM | Industry Average |
EURUSD | 1.4 | 1.2 pips | 1.08 pips |
GBPJPY | 1.3 | 2.1 pips | 2.44 pips |
Gold (XAUUSD) | 20 | 18 pips | 25 pips |
WTI Oil | 0.05 | 0.02 pips | 0.03 pips |
DAX | 0.6 | 0.40 basis points | 2.4 basis points |
Dow Jones | 1.3 | 1.0 basis points | 3.3 basis points |
Apple | n/a | 0.20 points | 0.25 points |
Tesla | n/a | 0.30 points | 0.5 points |
Bitcoin | $34.24 | $41.18 | $35.5 |
My findings indicate that broken down by asset class and compared to the industry average, STARTRADER charges low spreads on commodities, share CFDs, and indices, average spreads on currency pairs, and slightly elevated spreads on cryptocurrencies.
A swap fee is a trader’s cost for holding an open position overnight because of changing interest rates. Swap long refers to the charge deductible or credit receivable for holding a buy position open overnight. In turn, swap short relates to the charges/credits deductible or receivable for holding a selling position open overnight.
The values listed below are for one full base currency contract (100,000 units).
Instrument | Swap Long | Swap Short |
EUR/USD | Charge of $6.47 | Credit of $2.57 |
GBP/JPY | Credit of $12.8 | Charge of $30.88 |
My tests showed that STARTARDER’s swap charges are average to high compared to the industry benchmark. Please keep in mind that rollover charges change over time.
STARTRADER does not charge inactivity or other non-trading fees.
My hands-on testing revealed that STARTRADER boasts highly competitive fees for trading in a range of assets, including GBP/JPY, Gold, Apple, Tesla, DAX, and Dow Jones. However, I estimated that the spreads for EUR/USD and Bitcoin are less competitive.Platforms and Tools
STARTRADER incorporates the standard suites of MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. It has also developed a proprietary trading platform for social and copy trading and offers a Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting for low-latency trading.
Platform/Tool | Suitable For |
MetaTrader 4 | Basic technical analysis, simple order execution, automated trading |
MetaTrader 5 | Basic technical analysis, simple order execution, automated trading |
MT4/MT5 Apps | Trading on the go |
Copy trader | Replicating the winning strategies of other traders |
VPS Hosting | Low-latency trading |
The desktop version of the MetaTrader 5 platform features multiple essential tools, such as one-click trading, an alarm setting option, and a market depth tool. These allow traders to examine various market developments from different angles and exploit the underlying trading opportunities in multiple ways.
MT5 is arguably best suited for automated trading via its Expert Advisors (EAs). The platform also has an intuitive strategy tester, allowing experienced algo traders to tweak the parameters of their strategies so that they can be used under different market conditions.
The MetaTrader platform is easy to navigate. Even beginner traders can quickly learn where the charts, account info, and watch lists are. However, its cumbersome charts make the platform somewhat difficult to use.
STARTRADER’s MT5 platform is available on both Windows and Mac and supports 52 different languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more.
In addition to the above-mentioned depth of markets tool, MT5 also features:
I consider the charts screen a platform’s most important feature. It facilitates technical analysis by providing an overview of price action behavior. Chart artists use many analytical tools and chart configuration possibilities to examine it from multiple angles. In my experience, the really important aspect of a chart is how easy it is to scale price action up and down.
As shown above, a common issue with MetaTrader is that charts can quickly become cluttered, even with just two indicators. This can obscure price action and make it harder to perform detailed technical analysis.
I have broken down the available analytical tools and chart configurations below:
MetaTrader 5 features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading (top-left corner). One-click trading allows immediate entries at the spot price.
I have broken down the available order types on the MetaTrader 5 platform below:
MetaTrader 5 is a good option for fast and simple order execution. However, its dated and rugged design falls short compared to newer, sleeker platforms. As a trader who prioritizes flexible charts that are easily scalable, I find MT5’s charting capability too rigid and less effective.
The MT5 mobile app affords quick and easy access to the market on the go. It is very useful for opening, terminating, and adjusting open positions. The app is available for both IOS and Android.
The market is continually evolving, marked by periodic surges and declines in volatility. For this reason, staying on top of the latest market developments is crucial, a task made simpler through the mobile app version of MT5.
You can also use the app to place market, limit, and stop orders, as well as to adjust the exposure of your open trades.
Drawing from my extensive use of the MT5 mobile app, I found that it efficiently serves its core purpose: enabling traders to manage their positions on the go. The design is streamlined, focusing on key functionalities. Considering the inherent limitations of mobile devices, like smaller screen sizes and the lack of a physical keyboard, it’s unrealistic to expect the app to match the comprehensive features of its desktop version.
STARTRADER offers reimbursements of $20 and $30 per month for VPS services. The level of reimbursement depends on trading activity and the amount of money on the deposit. Check the details to learn more about the offering.
STARTRADER offers a copy trading service, which is available for both signal providers and followers on the MT4 platform.
Based on my in-depth research, STARTRADER boasts a substantial array of tradable instruments spanning multiple asset classes, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and a notable abundance of cryptocurrencies.
Markets | Number | Types | Industry Average |
Forex Pairs | 60 | Major, Minor, and Exotic | 30 – 75 |
Commodities | 24 | Cash and Futures | 5 – 10 |
Share CFDs | 720+ | US, UK, Germany | 100 – 500 |
Indices | 29 | Cash and Futures | 5 – 10 |
Cryptocurrencies | 46 | Major and Minor | 10 – 20 |
ETFs | 6 | Retail, Financial, Other | 10 – 20 |
Compared to the industry average, STARTRADER offers an average amount of currency pairs and a high amount of commodities, share CFDs, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
Contracts for difference (CFDs) are derivatives that speculate on the underlying asset’s price without physical ownership.
For example, a long position on gold would generate profit as the price rises or incur a loss as it falls, all without the need to purchase actual gold bars.
One of the biggest advantages of trading CFDs is that traders can get in and out of the market almost instantaneously, thereby catching even minute changes in the price of the derivative.
Currency Pairs | Commodities |
EURUSD | GBPJPY | USDJPY | EURCHF | AUDUSD | USDZAR | | Gold | Crude Oil | Brent Oil | Silver | Natural Gas | Copper | Coffee | Wheat |
Share CFDs | Indices |
Apple | Amazon.com | Microsoft | Citigroup | Barclays | Siemens | Dow Jones 30 | Germany 40 | Australia 200 | China 50 | France 40 | Japan 225 |
ETFs | Cryptocurrencies |
ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | iShares Bitcoin Trust | Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETP | Bitcoin, Cardano, Ripple, Dash, Ethereum, Solana, DogeCoin |
After more than a week of exploring STARTRADER’s range of tradable instruments, I’ve found their offerings to be well-balanced overall. The platform particularly stands out in commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
STARTRADER provides 24/5 customer support via email and live chat, exclusively using real human agents for personalized assistance, with notably swift response times. However, the absence of phone support slightly diminishes its score in this category.
Live Chat | Phone | |
24/5 from the website | info@STARTRADER.com | Not available |
In my testing, I engaged with STARTRADER’s customer support via their online chat to inquire about key client concerns such as deposit and withdrawal options, account-based currencies, and minimum deposit requirements. I received prompt and informative responses, confirming the support team’s effectiveness in providing relevant information.
Available Languages |
English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Malay, French, Japanese, Thai, and Arabic |
STARTRADER provides a high number of deposit and withdrawal options, including bank transfer, credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, the broker offers several local options for both deposits and withdrawals, including Egypt, Brazil, and Malaysia.
Deposit Method | Base Currencies | Fees | Processing Time |
Visa/Mastercard | USD, EUR | No | Instant |
Wire Transfer | USD, EUR | No | 3-5 working days |
SticPay | USD | No | Instant |
Perfect Money | USD | No | Instant |
Skrill | USD, EUR | No | Instant |
Neteller | USD, EUR | No | Instant |
Direct Pay | EUR | No | Instant |
SolidPayment | USD, EUR | No | Instant |
Croin plus | MYR | No | Instant |
BetcatPay | BRL | No | Instant |
Myfatoorah | EGP | No | Instant |
AirTM | USD | No | Instant |
Crypto | USDT, BTC | No | Instant |
STARTRADER clients can fund their accounts via credit cards, a range of e-wallets, bank transfer, and crypto. In addition to USD and EUR, the broker provides several local currencies.
Withdrawal Method | Base Currencies | Fees | Processing Time |
Visa/Mastercard | USD, EUR | No | Within 1 day |
Wire Transfer | USD, EUR | No | 3-5 working days |
SticPay | USD | No | Within 1 day |
Perfect Money | USD | No | Within 1 day |
Skrill | USD, EUR | No | Within 1 day |
Neteller | USD, EUR | No | Within 1 day |
Direct Pay | EUR | No | Within 1 day |
SolidPayment | USD, EUR | No | Within 1 day |
Croin plus | MYR | No | Within 1 day |
BetcatPay | BRL | No | Within 1 day |
Myfatoorah | EGP | No | Within 1 day |
AirTM | USD | No | Within 1 day |
Crypto | USDT, BTC | No | Within 1 day |
STARTRADER provides a wide range of withdrawal options that are available in multiple currencies. As usual, the wire transfer is the slowest method and can take up to 5 days, while the users of e-wallets and crypto will enjoy prompt money transfers.
STARTRADER provides two types of accounts: spread-based and commission-based accounts. Both account types use USD as their base currency. The broker offers a demo account to test its platform and offering but does not provide an Islamic Account option.
To open an account with STARTRADER, follow these steps:
Feature | Standard Account | ECN Account |
Commission (excluding equities) | $0 | $7 |
Spread | From 1.3 | From 0.0 |
Minimum Deposit | $50 | $50 |
Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
Base Currencies | EUR, USD, JPY, GBP, CAD | EUR, USD, JPY, GBP, CAD |
Islamic Account | Yes | Yes |
Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
STARTRADER clients can choose between a spread-based account (Standard Account) and a commission-based account (ECN Account). In the spread-based account, the broker charges spreads and swap/rollover fees but does not charge commissions. In the commissions-based account, the spreads are tighter, but traders also have to pay commissions.
STARTRADER offers a demo account that introduces traders to the broker’s services and allows them to tweak their strategies in a risk-free environment. The market is continually evolving and never static, so it is important to hone your skills in a safe environment. You can set up a demo account for yourself prior to or alongside your live CFD account.
STARTRADER provides Islamic accounts for swap-free trading, as mandated under Shariah law. You can contact their customer support to request additional information.
Leverage determines a trader’s overall market exposure. When trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), positions can be opened for a fraction of their value because of leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money so that they can open bigger positions. Leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions but also the losses incurred from failed trades.
STARTRADER does not accept as clients residents of Afghanistan, Cuba, Eritrea, Iraq, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Somalia, the Syrian Arab Republic, Sudan, and the United States.
STARTRADER delivers daily analysis of major trading instruments along with an economic calendar. However, when gauged against industry benchmarks, their research offerings are somewhat lacking in depth and scope.
STARTRADER provides market research primarily through the News section on its website, featuring weekly market updates and technical analyses on high-profile instruments. These analyses typically spotlight key resistance and support levels, serving as a basic guide for traders. The platform also includes an economic calendar, which is fairly standard for brokers in the industry.
However, when benchmarked against the industry standard, STARTRADER’s research offerings come up short. While novice traders might find value in the outlined support and resistance levels, more seasoned traders will likely need to look beyond StarTrader for comprehensive research and insights.
After tracking STARTRADER’s research articles over an extended period, I found them to be rather basic in their approach. Moreover, the research is confined to daily articles, falling short of meeting the more complex needs of seasoned traders.
STARTRADER’s Knowledge Center is filled with educational videos and articles for traders, complemented by an adequate collection of webinars. However, the latest webinar dates back to June 2023, indicating a possible lack of recent educational updates.
STARTRADER’s Knowledge Center on its website offers an array of educational resources, spanning from beginner-friendly articles to more advanced topics like Fibonacci sequences and Pivot Points.
The broker further complements its educational suite with a substantial library of webinars available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, and Spanish. However, it’s worth noting that the webinar section hasn’t seen any updates since June 2023, indicating a potential hiatus in fresh educational content.
STARTRADER operates under five distinct entities licensed and regulated in different jurisdictions. All entities extend negative balance protection and ensure client funds are held in segregated accounts for added security.
When it comes to asset diversity, STARTRADER offers a well-rounded portfolio that spans forex pairs, indices, stocks, commodities, and an impressive array of cryptocurrencies. The broker’s forex and stock selections are geared more toward mainstream instruments, while its offerings in indices and commodities cater well to experienced traders.
Platform-wise, traders have the option to choose between the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, in addition to a mobile app for trading on-the-go. My evaluation shows that the broker’s Standard Account features competitive fees, which adds value to its spread-based model. Further, STARTRADER offers a diverse set of deposit and withdrawal options, encompassing local payment methods and cryptocurrencies.
Though STARTRADER’s educational resources are robust, its research support leaves something to be desired, particularly for seasoned traders. Overall, STARTRADER has crafted a well-balanced offering that features competitive spreads, a strong lineup of tradable instruments, and a beneficial VPS service.
Headquarters Country | Seychelles |
Foundation Year | 2013 |
Regulations | FSCM (Mauritius), ASIC (Australia), FSA (Seychelles) |
Publicly Traded | No |
Number Of Employees | 211 |
Trading Desk Type | No dealing desk, ECN |
Trading Platforms | MT5, MT4 |
Restricted Countries | Cuba, Eritrea, Malaysia, Liberia, Nicaragua, Iran, Afghanistan, United States, Somalia, Russian Federation, Syria, Israel, Libya, Pakistan, Sudan |
Supported Languages | English, French, Portuguese, Thai, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian |
Min Deposit | $50 |
Max Leverage | 1:500 (FSCM), 1:30 (ASIC), 1:500 (FSA) |
Deposit Options | PerfectMoney, Wire Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, E-wallets, SticPay, Cryptocurrencies, SolidPay, CroinPlus, BetcatPay, My Fatoorah, Credit Card, Debit Card |
Withdrawal Options | Wire Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PerfectMoney, E-wallets, SticPay, Cryptocurrencies, Credit Card, Debit Card, My Fatoorah, BetcatPay, CroinPlus, SolidPay |
Time to Withdrawal | 3 |
Time to Open an Account | 1 |
Crypto | Ethereum, Dogecoin, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Zcash, NEO, Cardano, Stellar, EOS, IOTA, Binance Coin, Chainlink, Tezos, Uniswap, Avalanche, PegasusDAO, Metacoin, Santiment Network Token, Filecoin, Nerves, Shiba Inu |
Products | Currencies, Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Indices, Commodities |
Demo Account | Yes |
OCO Orders | No |
Offers Hedging | Yes |
Automated Trading | Yes |
API Trading | No |
Guaranteed Stop Loss | No |
Guaranteed Limit Orders | No |
Guaranteed Fills / Liquidity | No |
Economic calendar | Yes |
Trading From Chart | Yes |
One-Click Trading | Yes |
Expert Advisor | Yes |
Social Trading | Yes |
Autochartist | No |
Trading Signals | Yes |
Platform Languages | Italian, Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, Turkish, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, German, Malaysian, Japanese, Polish, Indonesian |
24 Hours Support | Yes |
Support During Weekends | No |
Live Chat | Yes |
Daily Market Commentary | Yes |
News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes |
Webinars | No |
Deposit Fee | No |
Withdrawal Fee | No |
Inactivity Fee | No |
In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.
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