Markets.com
Startrader
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Overview
Markets.com was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Cyprus, while Startrader was established in 2011 and is based in Hong Kong. Markets.com holds licences including Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while Startrader is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Markets.com serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Startrader has 500,000 +. The minimum deposit is $250 at Markets.com and $50 at Startrader.
| Feature | Markets.com | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $50 |
| Regulation | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) |
| Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| Country | Cyprus | Hong Kong |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 500,000 + |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Markets.com and Startrader, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Markets.com has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $250 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while Markets.com does not, giving Markets.com an edge for frequent withdrawers. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Markets.com | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $50 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Markets.com offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Startrader supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Markets.com offers a mobile trading app; mobile availability for Startrader is limited. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. Markets.com edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Markets.com | 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, MT5, Web Trader, 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 Markets.com and Startrader compare. Startrader runs regular live webinars; Markets.com does not. Both provide video tutorials. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; Markets.com 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 | Markets.com | 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. Markets.com accepts 3 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal), while Startrader supports 4 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller). Markets.com uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. Startrader uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. Startrader scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Markets.com | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | 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 Markets.com and Startrader offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Markets.com supports 14 languages and Startrader supports 2, giving Markets.com broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Markets.com | Startrader |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish | English, Chinese |