Ally invest
Startrader
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Overview
Ally invest was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in United States, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Ally invest holds licences including Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while Startrader is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Ally invest serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $500 at Ally invest and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | Ally invest | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $500 | $50 |
| Regulation | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 2013 | 2011 |
| Country | United States | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Ally invest and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Startrader has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $50 (vs $500 at Ally invest). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while Ally invest does not, giving Ally invest an edge for frequent withdrawers. Ally invest applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Startrader does not. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Ally invest | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $500 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Ally invest offers MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Ally invest offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. Ally invest edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Ally invest | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | No | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Desktop,Android,iPhone,Mac | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Ally invest and Startrader 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. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Ally invest | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Ally invest accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Startrader supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller). Startrader uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. Startrader scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Ally invest | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Ally invest and Startrader 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 | Ally invest | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese |