FXCM
Startrader
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Overview
FXCM was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in United States, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. FXCM serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $1 at FXCM and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | FXCM | 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 | 1999 | 2011 |
| Country | United States | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between FXCM and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. FXCM has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while FXCM does not, giving FXCM an edge for frequent withdrawers. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | FXCM | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
FXCM offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. FXCM offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which FXCM does not offer. FXCM edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | FXCM | 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, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, NinjaTrader, 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 FXCM 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 | FXCM | 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. FXCM 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 | FXCM | 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 FXCM 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 | FXCM | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese |