Bell Direct
Startrader
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Overview
Bell Direct was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Bell Direct holds licences including Financial Markets Authority (FMA), while Startrader is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Bell Direct serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $100 at Bell Direct and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Markets Authority (FMA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 1983 | 2011 |
| Country | New Zealand | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Bell Direct and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Bell Direct has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while Bell Direct does not, giving Bell Direct an edge for frequent withdrawers. Bell Direct applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Startrader does not. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Bell Direct offers MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Bell Direct offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which Bell Direct does not offer. Bell Direct edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | No | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Android,WEB,Desktop,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 Bell Direct 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. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Bell Direct | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Bell Direct 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 | Bell Direct | 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 Bell Direct 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 | Bell Direct | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese |