First Trade
Startrader
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Overview
First Trade was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in USA, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. First Trade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while Startrader is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. First Trade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $5 at First Trade and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | First Trade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $50 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| Country | USA | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between First Trade and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. First Trade has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $5 (vs $50 at Startrader). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. First Trade charges deposit fees; Startrader does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | First Trade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
First Trade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. First Trade offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which First Trade does not offer. First Trade edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | First Trade | 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 | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how First Trade 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 | First Trade | 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. First Trade 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 | First Trade | 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 First Trade 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 | First Trade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese |