HYCM
Startrader
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
HYCM was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in UK, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. HYCM serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $100 at HYCM and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | HYCM | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA reference number 186171, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), CySEC license number 259/14, Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), CIMA reference number 1442313, Dubai financial services authority (DFSA), DFSA license number 000048 | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 1977 | 2011 |
| Country | UK | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between HYCM and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. HYCM has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $50 at Startrader). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. HYCM applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Startrader does not. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | HYCM | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
HYCM offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. HYCM offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. HYCM edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | HYCM | 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, 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 HYCM 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 | HYCM | 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. HYCM accepts 5 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller), while Startrader supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller). HYCM uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. HYCM scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | HYCM | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | No |
| Skrill | Yes | 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 HYCM and Startrader offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. HYCM supports 5 languages and Startrader supports 2, giving HYCM broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | HYCM | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Chinese, Chinese (Traditional), Arabic, and Russian | English, Chinese |