CMC Markets
Startrader
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Overview
CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in UK, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. CMC Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $200 at CMC Markets and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 1989 | 2011 |
| Country | UK | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between CMC Markets and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. CMC Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $50 at Startrader). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. CMC Markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Startrader does not. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
CMC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. CMC Markets offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which CMC Markets does not offer. CMC Markets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Web Trader, Binary, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how CMC Markets 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 | CMC Markets | 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. CMC Markets 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 | CMC Markets | 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 CMC Markets and Startrader offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. CMC Markets supports 8 languages and Startrader supports 2, giving CMC Markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | CMC Markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, German, French, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, Italian, and Norwegian | English, Chinese |