Interactive Investor
Startrader
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Overview
Interactive Investor was founded in 1995 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. Interactive Investor serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $1 at Interactive Investor and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | Interactive Investor | 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 | 1995 | 2011 |
| Country | UK | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Interactive Investor and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Interactive Investor has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while Interactive Investor does not, giving Interactive Investor an edge for frequent withdrawers. Interactive Investor applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Startrader does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Interactive Investor | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Interactive Investor offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Interactive Investor offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. Interactive Investor edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Interactive Investor | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | No |
| Android App | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Web Trader, ProTrader, 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 Interactive Investor and Startrader compare. Startrader runs regular live webinars; Interactive Investor does not. Both provide video tutorials. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; Interactive Investor 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 | Interactive Investor | 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. Interactive Investor 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 | Interactive Investor | 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 Interactive Investor 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 | Interactive Investor | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Chinese |