Fortrade
Startrader
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Overview
Fortrade was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in UK, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Fortrade holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) FRN: 609970, while Startrader is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Fortrade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $1 at Fortrade and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | Fortrade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) FRN: 609970, National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) FRN: 193075810, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) ABN: 33 614 683 831 | AFSL: 493520, Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) CRN: BC1148613, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) with CIF license number 385/20 | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 1992 | 2011 |
| Country | UK | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Fortrade and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Fortrade has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while Fortrade does not, giving Fortrade an edge for frequent withdrawers. Fortrade charges deposit fees; Startrader does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Fortrade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
Fortrade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Fortrade offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which Fortrade does not offer. Fortrade edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Fortrade | 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, 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 Fortrade and Startrader compare. Startrader runs regular live webinars; Fortrade does not. Startrader has a video library; Fortrade does not. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; Fortrade does not. Startrader integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); Fortrade does not. Startrader maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Fortrade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Fortrade accepts 4 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Neteller), while Startrader supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller). Fortrade uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. Startrader uniquely supports Skrill among the two brokers. Fortrade scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Fortrade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | No |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Fortrade and Startrader offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Fortrade supports 1 language and Startrader supports 2, giving Startrader broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Fortrade | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English | English, Chinese |