Core Spreads
Startrader
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Overview
Core Spreads was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in London, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. Core Spreads serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $1 at Core Spreads and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | Core Spreads | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 2014 | 2011 |
| Country | London | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Core Spreads and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Core Spreads has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while Core Spreads does not, giving Core Spreads an edge for frequent withdrawers. Core Spreads charges deposit fees; Startrader does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Core Spreads | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Core Spreads offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Core Spreads offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which Core Spreads does not offer. Core Spreads edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Core Spreads | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Web Trader, 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 Core Spreads and Startrader compare. Startrader runs regular live webinars; Core Spreads does not. Both provide video tutorials. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; Core Spreads does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. Startrader maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Core Spreads | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Core Spreads 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 | Core Spreads | 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 Core Spreads 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 | Core Spreads | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese |