StarTrader broker scan
Regulation, real cost, withdrawal friction and red flags to check before you deposit. Port Louis, Mauritius · founded 2019.
Availability varies by country and entity (not offered in US, CA, GB) — confirm before opening an account.
Research profile — we don't have a tracked partner link for StarTrader yet. Verify availability and regulation directly before depositing.
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StarTrader has competitive all-in trading costs and solid platform and app quality, but it offers leveraged CFDs, where most retail accounts lose money. Before depositing, verify the exact legal entity, product access and withdrawal terms that apply to you — and it's worth comparing alternatives before you decide.
- you prioritise regulation
- you trade forex or CFDs
- you care about cost transparency
- you want clearer withdrawal terms
- you want to own spot crypto, not crypto CFDs
- you're unsure which legal entity would apply to you
- you want non-CFD / direct investing only
- Founded
- 2019
- HQ
- Port Louis, Mauritius
- Min deposit
- $50
- Withdrawal
- Within 24h
Research-based summary — informational only, not financial advice and not a safety guarantee. Verify directly before depositing.
Last updated June 2026·Spreads, fees and withdrawal times are typical/indicative and change with account type and market conditions — verify current terms with the broker before you deposit.·How we score
Eight signals, scored the same way
Low confidence
Competitive all-in cost
Fast typical payouts
MT4, MT5
high-risk product mix
Some terms need digging
Complaints & track record
Varies by country
Regulation snapshot
| Regulation confidence | Low (66/100) |
| Regulators | FSCA — South Africa, licence FSP 52464 (Tier 2)Corrected — verify FSC — Mauritius, licence GB24203371 (Tier 2)Corrected — verify |
| Segregated client fundsSegregated fundsClient money held in bank accounts kept separate from the broker's own funds, so it isn't used to run the business and is easier to return if the firm fails. | Yes |
| Compensation scheme | None / not applicable |
| Negative-balance protectionNegative-balance protectionA safeguard that stops your account going below zero, so you can't end up owing the broker more than you deposited. Mandatory for retail clients in some regions. | Yes, for retail clients where required/applicable by region |
Source: regulator registersVerify these licences on the official regulator register before depositing — how to check.
Which entity could apply to you?
StarTrader may onboard you through a different legal entity depending on your country — which can change your regulator and protection. Decode the entity that may apply before you deposit.
Real cost snapshot
| Typical spreadSpreadThe gap between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price. It's a core trading cost — tighter spreads are cheaper for you. (EUR/USD) | from 0 pips |
| CommissionCommissionA flat per-trade fee, common on raw/ECN accounts that show tighter spreads. Always compare spread + commission together as the all-in cost. | $6 per lot |
| Minimum deposit | $50 |
| Inactivity fee | None disclosed |
| All-in cost index | $$··· (2/5) |
Last updated June 2026·Spreads are typical published figures, not live quotes; fees can change by account type and region. Costs and charges may vary depending on the jurisdiction. — verify current terms with the broker before you deposit.·How we score
Withdrawal check
| Typical withdrawal speed | Within 24h (Fast) |
| Deposit / withdrawal methods | Card, Bank transfer, Crypto, Skrill, Neteller, Local methods |
| Verification | Identity verification (KYC) required before the first withdrawal. |
Withdrawal rules can vary by entity, country and payment method — and regulated brokers usually return funds to your original deposit method first. Available payment methods may vary depending on your jurisdiction, and depending on the payment method, third-party or bank charges may apply. See how withdrawals work.
Product risk
This reflects the risk of the products offered (e.g. leveraged CFDs) — not the broker's trustworthiness. A lower-risk product label is not an endorsement of the broker.
| Product risk level | Higher caution |
| CFD / leverage risk | High |
| Max leverage (region-aware) | 500:1 globally. Retail leverage caps depend on the regulator and legal entity that onboards you. |
| Crypto CFDs | Offered via CFDs — you don't own the underlying coins. |
Products shown are offered as CFDs unless otherwise stated. Crypto CFDs do not provide ownership of the underlying cryptoasset. Product availability varies by region.
Red flags & what to verify
Neutral checks, not accusations. Confirm each one directly before funding an account.
Want to recognise these yourself? Try the broker red-flag detector.
Get the broker deposit checklist.
A plain-English checklist for checking regulation, fees, withdrawal terms, leverage risk and red flags before you fund an account.
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Alternatives to StarTrader
Other regulated platforms worth scanning side by side, with the single strongest reason each could be a better fit.
Why this fits: Stronger regulatory profile vs StarTrader. Scan it before you decide.
Why this fits: Stronger regulatory profile vs StarTrader. Scan it before you decide.
Why this fits: Stronger regulatory profile vs StarTrader. Scan it before you decide.
We earn a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. It does not change our rankings. How we make money.
StarTrader — common questions
Quick, research-based answers to what people check before depositing. Informational only — verify directly.
Is StarTrader regulated?+
StarTrader is regulated by FSCA (South Africa), FSC (Mauritius). Client funds are held in segregated accounts. Regulation can differ by the entity that onboards you. Always confirm the specific licence on the regulator's official register before depositing.
Is StarTrader a scam, or is it legitimate?+
We don't label any broker "safe", but StarTrader is a licensed operator, not an anonymous one. The bigger risk is clone scams: fraudsters copy real brokers' names and websites. Reach StarTrader only through its official domain, and verify the licence number on the regulator's own register.
Is StarTrader available in my country?+
Availability — and the legal entity that onboards you — varies by country (StarTrader does not accept US, CA, GB). The entity decides your regulator and protection. Use our entity decoder to see which entity may apply to you, and confirm it during signup.
What does it cost to trade with StarTrader?+
Typical EUR/USD spread is from 0 pips, plus about $6 commission per standard lot, with a $50 minimum deposit. Figures are indicative — confirm current pricing for your account type directly.
How long do withdrawals take at StarTrader?+
Typical withdrawal time is Within 24h. Actual speed depends on your payment method, identity verification (KYC) and the entity that holds your account. Regulated brokers usually return funds to your original deposit method first.
What leverage does StarTrader offer, and is it risky?+
Maximum leverage is around 500:1 on the global entity; retail leverage caps depend on the regulator and legal entity that onboards you. Leverage amplifies both gains and losses, and most retail CFD accounts lose money — only trade with money you can afford to lose.
Before you deposit, compare StarTrader against alternatives.
Informational scan — not a safety guarantee and not financial advice. Affiliate link; we may earn a commission, which never changes the scan score. Verify availability, fees and regulation directly before depositing.