ifc markets
Startrader
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Overview
ifc markets was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Cyprus, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. ifc markets serves 60,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $250 at ifc markets and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | ifc markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $50 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F259 | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 2016 | 2011 |
| Country | Cyprus | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 60,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between ifc markets and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. ifc markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $250 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while ifc markets does not, giving ifc markets an edge for frequent withdrawers. ifc markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Startrader does not. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | ifc markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
ifc markets offers MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. ifc markets offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which ifc markets does not offer. ifc markets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | ifc markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | No | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, 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 ifc markets and Startrader compare. Startrader runs regular live webinars; ifc markets does not. Both provide video tutorials. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; ifc markets does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. Startrader maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | ifc markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. ifc markets 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). ifc markets uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. ifc markets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | ifc markets | 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 ifc markets and Startrader offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. ifc markets supports 8 languages and Startrader supports 2, giving ifc markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | ifc markets | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic | English, Chinese |