Directshares
Startrader
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Overview
Directshares was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Directshares holds licences including The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM), while Startrader is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Directshares serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $100 at Directshares and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | Directshares | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Regulation | The Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
| Country | Australia | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Directshares and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Directshares has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $50 at Startrader). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. Directshares charges deposit fees; Startrader does not. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Directshares | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Directshares offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Directshares offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. Directshares edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Directshares | 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,iOS,MacBook,iPhone | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Directshares 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 | Directshares | 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. Directshares 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 | Directshares | 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 Directshares 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 | Directshares | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese |