Startrader
td ameritrade
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Overview
Startrader was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Hong Kong, while td ameritrade was established in 2016 and is based in Malta. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. Startrader serves 500,000 + clients worldwide; td ameritrade has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $50 at Startrader and $250 at td ameritrade.
| Feature | Startrader | td ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $50 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) | 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-F319 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2016 |
| Country | Hong Kong | Malta |
| Clients | 500,000 + | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Startrader and td ameritrade, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. td ameritrade has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $250 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while td ameritrade does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Overall, Startrader scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Startrader | td ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $50 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Startrader offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while td ameritrade supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which td ameritrade does not offer. td ameritrade edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Startrader | td ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | No | Yes |
| Android App | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Startrader and td ameritrade compare. Startrader runs regular live webinars; td ameritrade does not. Startrader has a video library; td ameritrade does not. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; td ameritrade does not. Startrader integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); td ameritrade does not. Startrader maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Startrader | td ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Startrader accepts 4 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller), while td ameritrade supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). td ameritrade uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. td ameritrade scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Startrader | td ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| 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 Startrader and td ameritrade offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Startrader supports 2 languages and td ameritrade supports 8, giving td ameritrade broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Startrader | td ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |