In this paper, two new classes of q-starlike functions in an open unit disc are defined and studied by using the q-fractional derivative. The class Sq*˜(α), α∈(−3,1], q∈(0,1) generalizes the class Sq* of q-starlike functions and the class Tq*˜(α), α∈[−1,1], q∈(0,1) comprises the q-starlike univalent functions with negative coefficients. Some basic properties and the behavior of the functions in these classes are examined. The order of starlikeness in the class of convex function is investigated. It provides some interesting connections of newly defined classes with known classes. The mapping property of these classes under the family of q-Bernardi integral operator and its radius of univalence are studied. Additionally, certain coefficient inequalities, the radius of q-convexity, growth and distortion theorem, the covering theorem and some applications of fractional q-calculus for these new classes are investigated, and some interesting special cases are also included.