Startrader
Uphold
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Overview
Startrader was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Hong Kong, while Uphold was established in 2013 and is based in United States. Startrader holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while Uphold is regulated by FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited among others. Startrader serves 500,000 + clients worldwide; Uphold has 4,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $50 at Startrader and $1 at Uphold.
| Feature | Startrader | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $50 | $1 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) and Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) | FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited, Reg No. 09281410. Uphold HQ Inc. NMLS ID No. 1269875 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| Country | Hong Kong | United States |
| Clients | 500,000 + | 4,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Startrader and Uphold, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Uphold has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $50 at Startrader). Startrader charges withdrawal fees while Uphold does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | Startrader | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $50 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
Startrader offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Uphold supports a proprietary platform. Startrader supports social and copy trading features, which Uphold does not offer. Startrader edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Startrader | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | No | Yes |
| Android App | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5 and Web Trader | Web, Desktop & Mobile Apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Startrader and Uphold compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Startrader publishes daily market commentary; Uphold does not. Startrader integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); Uphold does not. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. Startrader scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Startrader | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Uphold supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Startrader uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. Startrader scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Startrader | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | Yes | No |
| Neteller | Yes | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Startrader and Uphold offer live chat support. Startrader offers phone support; Uphold does not. Email support is available at both brokers. Startrader supports 2 languages and Uphold supports 1, giving Startrader broader global reach. Startrader scores higher overall on customer support in our assessment.
| Feature | Startrader | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Chinese | English |