STARTRADER Review 2026 | Regulation, Platforms & Fees
- High Leverage up to 1:1000
- RAW ECN Spreads from 0.0 pips
- Fastest execution
- Attractive Bonus Programs
- Copy Trading
- MT4 / MT5
- Personal support 24/7
- Wide, accessible selection of payment methods
- Regulated in multiple regions
- Broad selection of account base currencies
- Only MetaTrader platforms are supported
- No direct phone support
- Extremely high minimum deposit for Prime ECN account
Learn whether STARTRADER is the right platform for your trading in our hands-on review. We personally opened various accounts, tested execution speed, analysed platform stability, verified regulation, compared fees, and reviewed customer service responsiveness.
Our goal is to give you a transparent, expert-driven assessment of STARTRADER’s regulation, costs, trustworthiness, platforms, and execution quality, so you can make an informed choice before trading real capital.
In the full breakdown below, we reveal where STARTRADER excels, where it falls short, and how it compares against other top-tier brokers we’ve tested at WR Trading.
STARTRADER Experience Summary from Our Expert:
The only major flaw that’s worth noting with STARTRADER is its lack of direct telephonic support (although a callback option is available) , which is surprising for a broker of this size. Otherwise, the broker is quite solid overall and is worth trading with.
0 STARTRADER Customer Reviews And Ratings
What Is STARTRADER? Broker Overview
STARTRADER is a multi-licensed CFD broker headquartered in Dubai and founded circa 2012-2013. Their regulation expands many popular regions globally, reinforcing their immense trading infrastructure and longevity. Traders in some regions have the privilege of a compensation scheme through Lloyd’s Insurance and independent dispute resolution with the Financial Commission. STARTRADER allows users to invest in nearly 900 competitive trading products across forex, indices, stocks, ETFs, and commodities.
One can choose this offering on the ‘Standard’ and ‘Raw’ trading accounts with minimum deposits of $50. For passive participants, you also benefit from the broker’s copy trading and PAMM accounts. The company also serves institutional traders with bespoke services through ‘STARprime.’
STARTRADER serves users from most nations globally. However, countries like the United States, North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China are excluded due to regulatory restrictions.
STARTRADER Regulation: Is This Broker Licensed & Legit?
Yes, STARTRADER is regulated under these names by the following organizations:
- STARTRADER Global Financial Consultation & Financial Analysis L.L.C, by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in the UAE, with License no. 20200000241
- STARTRADER Broker Limited, by the Financial Conduct Authority with FCA Reference No.821704
- STARTRADER Prime Global Pty Ltd, by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) with ACN 156005668 and AFSL No. 421210
- STARTRADER International Pty Ltd, by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, with FSP No. 52464 and Registration No. 2022/435897/07
- STARTRADER Financial Markets Limited, by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius, with Company No. 212229 GBC and License No. GB24203371
- STARTRADER Limited, by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles, with License No. SD049 and Registration No. 8427362-1.
STARTRADER Reviews: What Real Traders Say About the Broker
Most reviews of this broker are relatively positive. Below are some of the ratings from trustworthy sites (at the time of writing):
- 3.8 out of 5 from 631 reviews on TrustPilot
- 4.2 out of 5 from 12 reviews on Myfxbook
- 5.8 out of 10 from 9 reviews on Traders Union
- 8.67 out of 10 on WikiFX
The most lauded aspects of STARTRADER in our findings were the user-friendliness of the trading platforms, easy account setup, and an accessible market range, among others. Still, we noticed that traders would have appreciated more account options (e.g., cent accounts) beyond the primary ones available.
STARTRADER Complaints: Are There Serious Issues or Scam Reports?
Yes, the two consistent negative themes were the broker’s poor customer service and somewhat long withdrawal times. For the first one, we noticed that in many cases, traders contacted the broker via email. Response times through this channel are generally longer than those for live chat. However, STARTRADER certainly has to improve in this regard, as you can’t contact the broker by phone.
With regard to the withdrawal issue, we saw that many complaints came from traders not understanding the policy, e.g., the fees, the order of payment methods for withdrawals, etc.
What Does STARTRADER Offer? Platforms, Assets & Extra Tools
The majority of the broker’s offers comprise self-directed CFD trading products and passive trading accounts tailored for retail customers. STARTRADER provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 for its charting software. Finally, the broker boasts a decent educational platform with a knowledge centre, analysis tools, economic calendar, news room, and webinars.
Let’s explore each of these offers in more detail.
Tradable Asset Classes on STARTRADER
Users can trade derivatives on forex, crypto, indices, stocks, ETFs or exchange-traded funds, and commodities (energies, metals, and agriculture).
The broker’s full suite of products is on MT5, which naturally offers more markets than MT4. On our MT5 live account, we counted 896, consisting of:
- 65 forex pairs
- 64 crypto pairs
- 33 indices
- 704 stocks
- 6 ETFs
- 24 commodity markets
Still, MT4 covers the bulk of STARTRADER’s financial instruments, but it mainly lacks in the shares department.
STARTRADER Trading Platforms (MT4, MT5 & Mobile App)
STARTRADER has integrated MT4 and MT5 as its chief trading platforms. Both of these are industry standards and are known for being simple (especially for beginners) to navigate without complaints.
While alike in many ways, MT5 consistently outperforms MT4. It offers more assets, more timeframes, more indicators, more execution types, a netting system, and faster overall execution speed through its multi-threaded infrastructure.
STARTRADER Copy Trading & PAMM Accounts
For passive users or investors, STARTRADER offers the ‘Star Copy’ copy trading platform. ‘Copiers’ automatically mirror the trades of chosen ‘Masters,’ handpicked for consistent, profitable performance.
This is a flexible system that allows one to subscribe to multiple Masters for at least $50 each and unsubscribe from them at any time, without restrictions. Performance fees apply only when a profit is earned, making the copy trading pricing model fair for followers. Meanwhile, providers earn up to 50% in profit sharing.
For lower-risk, long-term passive investing, clients will benefit from a PAMM (Percentage Allocation Management Module) account. The service is called ‘Pro-Link’ and operates through a diversified portfolio of pooled funds from different investors.
As with the other accounts, traders start with at least $50 and access brilliant strategy managers or funds with proven track records. Each is filtered by metrics such as past performance, risk level, and trading strategy. You allocate your money to multiple funds (although the flexibility to make withdrawals isn’t as high as with copy trading).
STAR Matrix Tool Overview
For a $200 minimum deposit on any of STARTRADER’s accounts, users can enjoy ‘STAR Matrix.’ This exclusive tool provides several perks, namely:
- Precision charting
- Live market intel
- Smart Drawing Suite
- Market Buzz
- Technical insights
- Featured ideas
- Analyst views
Best of all, STAR Matrix is not a subscription and has no extra or hidden costs.
Education & Market Analysis Resources
STARTRADER showcases a decent educational offering divided into three sections. We found regular updates with most of these, except for the market updates and webinars:
- Knowledge Centre, Glossary, Financial Market Analysis
- News Room and Economic Calendar
- Webinars on various technical topics (also available on the broker’s YouTube channel)
Is the STARTRADER Platform Suitable for Beginner Traders?
Yes, for a few reasons. STARTRADER is a low cost broker with an inexpensive minimum deposit and fee-free payment methods. Secondly, the company offers two straightforward trading platforms.
There are also primarily three account types, a stripped-down selection that, again, is tailored for newbies. Whether in a demo or live setting, the onboarding process is quick and hassle-free.
Is STARTRADER Good for Professional & High-Volume Traders?
Yes. STARTRADER manages to be user-friendly for beginners and, more pertinently, professionals. For the latter, they offer the ‘Prime ECN’ account with a few more features than its standard counterpart.
Professional traders can also consider managed accounts through PAMM. This is perfect for wealthier clients who prefer a less hands-on trading experience. There is the option to be a ‘money manager,’ which requires advanced skills and proof of consistent profits.
Finally, the broker offers ‘STARprime,’ a service designed for a select few clients with several bespoke solutions in liquidity, trading technology, and order management.
STARTRADER Trading Costs: Spreads, Commissions & Other Fees
The trading costs primarily include spreads (from 0.3-1.4 pips on EURUSD) and commissions ($3 per lot per side): spreads apply to all accounts, while commissions apply only to the ECN packages. Here is a detailed breakdown:
STARTRADER Spreads on Forex, Indices & Commodities
STARTRADER offers minimum spreads of 1.3 pips (on the Standard account) and ‘zero’ spreads (on the ECN accounts). Spreads are usually cheaper across a wide choice of markets like forex, commodities, and indices, but higher on crypto.
Regardless of the traded asset, they fluctuate widely depending on liquidity, volatility, and trading hours. So, it’s essential to check the spreads in real time before opening or closing any position. However, we have found that the vast majority of brokers are quite competitive with these costs.
The table below shows average spreads to expect for both accounts on STARTRADER:
| Market | Standard/STP spread | ECN/Raw spread |
|---|---|---|
| EURUSD | 1.4 | 0.3 |
| GBPUSD | 1.7 | 0.4 |
| Gold | 2 | 0.6 |
| Silver | 2.5 | 1.2 |
| SPX500 | 3 | 3.1 |
| UK100 | 11.8 | 24.3 |
| WTI oil | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Brent Crude Oil | 2.9 | 2.9 |
| Bitcoin | 410 | 143.1 |
| Ethereum | 53.2 | 23.2 |
STARTRADER Commissions on ECN Accounts
The commissions apply only to ECN accounts on FX pairs using a per-lot-per-side pricing model. It is $3, where you are charged for opening and closing a trade (so $6 in total).
To calculate the cost for trades below a standard lot, simply derive the appropriate micro lots and multiply by the hundredth of the commission. For instance, let’s assume the commission was $4. So, a trade worth 0.10 (or 10 micro lots) results in a commission of $0.4. In a different example, where the position was worth 0.65 (or 65 micro lots), the commission is $2.6.
Deposit & Withdrawal Fees Explained
No, all of STARTRADER’S deposits and withdrawals are fee-free. However, this is only from the broker’s side. The external payment processors (e.g., banks, card providers) linked to your preferred method are likely to levy their own costs.
To lower deposit and withdrawal fees, avoid bank wire transfers, as they are often costly and take a long time to reflect. Furthermore, traders must note that the same processors occasionally charge currency conversion fees if the deposit currency differs from the trading account currency.
Is STARTRADER Suitable for Low-Cost, Active Trading?
Yes, STARTRADER is affordable across the main factors that consistently affect traders – low spreads of minimum 0-1.3 pips, $1.5-3 per lot per side commissions, and zero deposit/withdrawal fees. This makes them a low cost broker overall.
How to Open & Login to Your STARTRADER Account (Minimum Deposit):
Step 1 – STARTRADER Registration: Step-by-Step
Firstly, head to the broker’s website and click on the ‘OPEN LIVE ACCOUNT’ tab on the top right. The next page will ask for your country, your email address (including the verification code sent to it), your password, and whether you’re an individual or a company.
Finally, traders must confirm that they are non-US residents and that they’ve read the terms and conditions.
Step 2: STARTRADER Account Verification (KYC) Process
A detailed portal appears during this stage, where you view your accounts, check your deposits, see promotions, and more. Accessing the profile allows one to verify the account.
Traders need to pass ‘level 1’ verification (personal details and account configuration) to open a demo or live account. Then, ‘level 2’ applies to depositing funds, which requires ID information and a photo.
STARTRADER has integrated the Sumsub verification platform, allowing traders to verify directly on their computers or phones via a QR code. The document options include an identity card, a green ID booklet, a resident permit, or a passport.
Sumsub offers clear guidelines to ensure the chosen document is captured. We were impressed by how quickly one gets verified. All in all, this process takes no more than five minutes under normal circumstances.
Step 3: Funding Your STARTRADER Account & Using a Demo Account
Assuming verification is successful, you can now connect your preferred funding method to fund your account. Although a small detail, STARTRADER should make it clear what the minimum deposit actually is. Beforehand, it is described as something that varies (only until you deposit it, it shows as $50).
Regardless, we recommend opening demo accounts to test everything from the broker’s trading conditions to execution. We liked that they offer relatively low account balances (minimum of $3000), which are realistic for many traders. Furthermore, you can reset these to lower amounts.
After this demo phase, you are better informed in deciding whether to proceed with a live account.
STARTRADER Account Types: Standard, ECN & Prime ECN
The main account types available with this brokerage are Standard/STP, ECN/Raw, and Prime ECN (including their Islamic or swap-free versions). Only the former two are available in demo form. Understanding the differences with this standard offering is simple and typical of many brokers.
Standard vs ECN Accounts on STARTRADER
The Standard account boasts spreads beginning from 1.3 pips with no commission. Meanwhile, the ECN account has spreads as low as 0 with a $3 commission per lot per side.
STARTRADER Prime ECN Account Features
The ‘PRIME ECN’ account comes with lower spreads and a $1.5 per lot per side commission. Here, traders also benefit from faster, more precise execution courtesy of fibre-optics. Unfortunately, this account commands a significantly higher minimum deposit: $10,000.
Regardless, let’s highlight the key features of all three accounts below:
| Standard | ECN | Prime ECN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum opening balance | $50 | $50 | $10,000 |
| Spreads | From 1.3 pips | From 0 pips | From 0 pips |
| Minimum commission | No | $3 per lot per side | $1.5 per lot per side |
| Order execution type | Market | Market | Market |
| Account base currencies | USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, EUR, NZD, JPY | USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, EUR, NZD, JPY | USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, EUR, NZD, JPY |
| Mobile trading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| One-click trading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hedging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Expert advisor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1-to-1 client manager | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Deposit Money on Your STARTRADER Trading Account
Here are the steps to deposit funds with STARTRADER:
- Log in to your STARTRADER account to access the client portal.
- Head to the ‘Funds’ tab located on the left side of the screen.
- The first tab that automatically appears is ‘Deposit,’ which shows a dropdown box to choose the account you wish to fund. Importantly, there is a field to enter the amount (at least $50).
- Once you have chosen the method, click ‘Continue.’ Then, fill in the relevant details and click ‘Deposit.’
Below is a non-exhaustive list of the deposit methods available with STARTRADER. These vary depending on where one resides (more or less are available based on the region where the broker is regulated). Finally, most payments here are reflected instantly, except crypto, which takes up to an hour.
| Credit/debit card | Bank transfer | Cryptocurrency | E-wallets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banxa, VISA/Mastercard, Apple Pay/Google Pay | Local and international | USDC-Arbitrum One, USDC-BEP20, USDC-ERC20, USDC-Solana, USDT-Arbitrum One, USDT-Avalanche C-Chain, USDT-BEP20, USDT-Polygon, USDT-Solana, USDT-ERC20, USDT-TRC20, Bitcoin, ETH, XRP-BEP20, XRP-ERC20 | Bitwallet, Binance Pay, Sticpay |
Follow the prompts from here on out until you are redirected back to the initial page. Ensure that information is captured accurately the first time and maintain an uninterrupted connection.
How to Withdraw Money From Your STARTRADER Account & Typical Processing Times
To withdraw any money from your STARTRADER account, here is the step-by-step process:
- Log in to your STARTRADER account to access the client portal.
- Head to the Funds tab located on the left side of the screen.
- The first tab that automatically appears is ‘Withdrawal,’ which shows a dropdown box to select the account to withdraw from and a field to enter the withdrawal amount.
- Click ‘Continue’ to choose a withdrawal method, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Click “Submit” to complete the withdrawal.
In our research, we noted that the minimum is generally 30 units of all account currencies (except 4500 for JPY accounts). Any figure below this necessitates a withdrawal of the entire remaining balance.
Here are the average times to expect a withdrawal to reflect based on different channels:
| Credit card | Bank transfer | Cryptocurrency | E-wallets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 3-7 business days | 1-3 business days (for local) 3-5 business days (for international) | 1 business day | 1 business day |
Withdrawals are rejected for a few reasons. The most common is choosing a channel other than the one used for the deposit. It’s standard practice for brokers to process initial withdrawals to the same deposit method/s they came from (in the most recent order), and then to send amounts beyond what was deposited via bank transfer.
Also, unmet bonus or promotion terms are another potential reason, or open live positions that clash with the withdrawable balance. Once you avoid these scenarios and assuming your account activity is compliant, STARTRADER will process your withdrawal requests smoothly.
Does STARTRADER Offer Negative Balance Protection for Traders?
Yes, this is a standard risk management tool with regulated brokers. It means a trader cannot lose more than their account balance in the event of a margin call. Such a mechanism is vital during volatile conditions, as sudden or adverse price movements often lead to large losses without it.
Despite negative balance protection, traders must still manage their risk through conservative position sizing to naturally maintain reasonable losses.
STARTRADER Customer Support: Channels, Quality & Response Times
STARTRADER offers live chat and email for its customer service. Sadly, you cannot contact the broker telephonically, which is unusual for a brand of this stature.
This directly contributes to some of the support issues users reported. Typically, customers appreciate the ability to contact a broker, which results in better, more timely support overall.
While STARTRADER promises to respond via email within two hours, that guarantee is unreliable if they rely on only two support channels. Thus, we feel that their emails will likely become inundated.
On the bright side, the broker’s live chat is comprehensive and responsive. While you need to engage with an AI assistant initially, switching to a human is quick.
Do You Need to Pay Taxes on Profits Earned with STARTRADER?
Yes, depending on your country of residence. In most jurisdictions that are not tax havens or low-tax regions, trading income is taxable (usually as regular income or capital gains).
It’s always best to consult a local qualified tax professional to confirm your obligations and remain compliant. Should taxes apply, make sure to export your full trading history for accurate reporting. In some countries, tax-loss harvesting to offset gains and lower your overall liability is possible.
Does STARTRADER offer an Affiliate Program?
Yes, STARTRADER offers an affiliate and introducing broker program with competitive, attractive rewards. Like most brokers, a forex affiliate earns through a Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) model.
The amount is between $100-650, mainly depending on the country tier of their referees. There are also monthly bonuses when you have referred beyond a certain number. However, qualified accounts must deposit at least $500 and trade 2 standard lots or more across FX, oil, gold, Bitcoin and Ethereum.
For the IB program, the broker compensates $1-8 per traded lot for the entire lifetime a trader remains with STARTRADER, depending on the traded asset.
Alternatives to STARTRADER: Compare Similar Forex Brokers
If you’re considering STARTRADER but want to compare it against other reputable brokers, below are some alternatives worth exploring.
Before you make a final decision, compare these and brokers side-by-side on key factors like regulation, costs, platforms, and execution quality using our broker comparison tool.
Vantage Markets vs STARTRADER
Vantage Markets stands out as an appealing alternative to STARTRADER if mobile trading, high platform selection, and account variety matter to you. Their app is highly rated on the Google Play Store with over 7,000 reviews and more than 1 million downloads.
Alongside MT4 and MT5, Vantage also supports advanced platforms like cTrader and TradingView. Also, the broker offers more account types than STARTRADER, including two ECN, standard, premium, cent, and copy trading accounts.
Ultimately, Vantage Markets offers greater flexibility and choice, benefiting traders at all levels.
BlackBull Markets vs STARTRADER
BlackBull Markets is ideal if you want significantly more markets than STARTRADER provides. It offers 26,000+ tradable instruments across various ECN accounts. This broker also exceeds STARTRADER in third-party platform support, including MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.
Finally, users can fund their accounts in 10 base currencies, slightly more than what’s available on STARTRADER. In summary, BlackBull is a preferred alternative for those seeking ultra-wide market access, institutional-style ECN setups, and advanced platform support.
Capital.com vs STARTRADER
Capital.com is a strong alternative to STARTRADER for traders who value a low entry barrier and fast, intuitive account setup. This tech-focused broker supports over 3,000 instruments, spanning stocks, forex, indices, commodities, ESG assets, and cryptocurrencies.
One of Capital.com’s standout advantages over STARTRADER is its lower minimum deposit ($10), making it highly accessible for beginners. We also appreciated their unique 1X account, which allows non-leveraged trading. This feature suits conservative traders who prefer to trade only with their deposited capital, avoiding swaps and margin exposure.
Combined with its clean interface and highly rated mobile apps, Capital.com delivers one of the most user-friendly yet elegant trading experiences.
Learn to Trade Successfully on STARTRADER with WR Trading Mentoring
When choosing any broker, the right mentorship tuns potential into consistent performance. At WR Trading, we offer structured mentoring rooted in over 15 years of trading experience.
Our traders gain:
- Expert-led coaching on STARTRADER’s platforms (MT4/MT5) to help you use the tools properly, manage risk intelligently, and trade with clarity.
- Guidance on transitioning from demo to live capital smoothly.
- Strategies to navigate the markets on platforms like STARRADER efficiently with flawless entries, high risk-reward setups, smart exits, and emotion-free discipline
- Weekly live webinars, personalized chart reviews, market-timing techniques, and ongoing support
Ultimately, the variables of discipline, strategy, and execution still make the difference when trading with any broker. WR Trading’s mentoring bridges that gap.
Conclusion: Is STARTRADER a Good & Safe Broker to Trade With?
After thoroughly testing STARTRADER, our overall impression of this broker is largely positive. Their strong regulatory framework is one of the standout features. Few brokerages hold as many licenses as STARTRADER, adding a much-needed layer of trust.
We also liked their affordable pricing model, accessible minimum deposits, and the familiar offerings of MetaTrader software. The variety of funding options, zero internal transaction fees, and negative balance protection are further positives.
That said, our findings also uncovered areas for improvement. The lack of phone support and poor customer support reviews were the major drawbacks.
Overall, STARTRADER is a dependable platform that suits most traders who desire an affordable, straightforward, regulated, and multi-market experience.
