Best International Stock Brokers in Asia 2023 – that will be the topic of today’s article.
If you want to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, which is what I specialize in, you can email me (advice@adamfayed.com) or use WhatsApp (+44-7393-450-837).
Introduction
Before we dive into our topic, let us know a few interesting facts about the Asian Stock Market.
— The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is known for its high liquidity. It is a gateway for international investors looking to access the Chinese market.
— The Shanghai Stock Exchange is the second-largest stock exchange in Asia by market capitalization. It is also home to many of China’s largest state-owned enterprises.
— The Indian stock market has grown rapidly, making it fifth-largest stock market in the world by market capitalization.
— The South Korean stock market is dominated by large conglomerates known as chaebols. These play a significant role in the South Korean economy.
— The Taiwanese stock market is home to many high-tech companies. To be precise, it includes the world’s largest contract chipmaker, TSMC.
— The Singapore Stock Exchange is known for its regulatory environment. It is also a popular destination for companies looking to raise capital through initial public offerings (IPOs).
— Asian stock markets have been impacted by various geopolitical events. These include the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Asia is also home to several emerging market economies, such as Indonesia and Vietnam. These countries are attracting increasing interest from investors looking for growth opportunities.
— The Asian stock markets are closely watched by investors around the world. The changes in these markets can have a significant impact on global financial markets.
Now, let us have a look at the top stock brokers in Asia, particularly in 2023. Note that the process of picking these stock brokers has been done by considering various important aspects.
For example, some people might think that fees are the only major contributing factor when choosing a broker.
Well, you might also have to focus on various other factors like the markets, products, customer support, etc.
The process of picking these brokers has been done mainly while focusing on the internationally available brokers.
You may find stock brokers that are better than what I’ve picked, yet they may not have a global presence or some other factors.
Enough with the general information, let us have a brief-yet-detailed insight into the best stock brokers available in Asia in 2023.
Interactive Brokers
I’ve said it before and I’m saying this again, i.e., Interactive Brokers is hands down one of the best stock brokers available.
Did you know that more than 130,000 people have chosen this broker over the past six months?
This depicts the trustworthiness as well as the advantageousness of this broker. I will now present some of the important information related to Interactive Brokers in 2023.
Account Information
The account opening process is entirely digital, but the verification process can be time-consuming.
Fees
Interactive Brokers offers a brokerage fee calculator to see the commission fee of a specific stock trade.
Low stock and ETF commissions. For US and European stocks and ETFs, fractional shares trading is offered by this broker.
This is mainly based on price, while also considering factors such as the availability of automatic order execution.
For example, If you were to make a $2,000 trade, commissions for US, UK, and German stocks would be $1.00, $3.40, and $3.00, respectively.
The commission is calculated based on the volume of the trade. This is done per share or as a percentage of the trade value, while having a minimum and maximum fee.
ETF fees are equivalent to stock fees. Interactive Brokers also offers fractional shares trading for US and European stocks and ETFs.
The stock fees for Interactive Brokers in Asia are as follows:
Hong Kong – 0.08% of the trade value, with a minimum fee of HKD 18 and no maximum fee.
Japan – 0.08% of the trade value, with a minimum fee of JPY 80 and no maximum fee.
Singapore – 0.08% of the trade value, with a minimum fee of SGD 2.5 and no maximum fee.
India – 0.01% of the trade value, with a minimum fee of INR 6 and a maximum fee of INR 20.
Trading platforms
Interactive Brokers offers a simple and beginner-friendly web platform but with minor glitches.
Interactive Brokers has highly customizable desktop and mobile trading platforms, but they may be too complex for novice traders.
Markets and Products
The asset classes offered by Interactive Brokers are listed below:
— Stocks
— ETFs
— Forex
— Funds
— Bonds
— Options
— Futures
— CFDs
— Cryptocurrencies
As we are talking about the stock brokers, let us have a look at the markets of IB related to stocks and ETFs.
The number of stock markets accessible through IB are 83 and the number of ETFs are 13,000.
Research and Education
The research capabilities provided by Interactive Brokers are extensive, and the educational resources are top-notch.
Customer Support
Interactive Brokers has room for improvement in terms of its customer service.
They offer various methods of contact including phone, email, live chat, and an automated ‘iBot’.
Safety
Interactive Brokers is overseen by multiple financial regulatory bodies, including reputable ones such as the SEC and FCA.
What do I think?
Interactive Brokers is a good choice for low fees and global market access, but their platforms may be too complex for beginners.
The account opening process is lengthy, and customer service can be busy. However, they are the highest-rated broker at BrokerChooser.
If you want a more streamlined experience, try the IBKR GlobalTrader app.
To get an account or know more details about Interactive Brokers, click here.
ChoiceTrade
ChoiceTrade is a US stockbroker that doesn’t charge commissions on listed stock and ETF trades.
They have a user-friendly mobile trading platform and an easy, fully digital account opening process.
However, ChoiceTrade’s withdrawal fees and quarterly inactivity fees are high.
The withdrawal process is not very user-friendly as you need to contact customer support to initiate it, and only bank transfer is available.
Account Information
ChoiceTrade offers individual and joint accounts for both US residents and international clients.
Fees
The broker charges low fees for account maintenance and inactivity, but the commission for trading stocks and ETFs is $5 per trade.
Trading platforms
ChoiceTrade offers two trading platforms, a web-based platform, and a mobile app for iOS and Android devices. These provide access to major US exchanges like NYSE and Nasdaq.
Markets and Products
ChoiceTrade offers trading in US stocks, ETFs, and options, but the broker does not offer trading in futures, forex, or other markets.
However, they do offer access to a wide range of exchanges, including major US exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq.
Research and Education
They offer limited research and educational resources but provide access to third-party research reports.
Customer Support
Customer support is available via phone, email, and live chat during market hours, yet not 24/7.
Safety
ChoiceTrade is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), providing insurance coverage for funds in case of broker failure.
The broker also uses advanced security features like two-factor authentication and SSL encryption to protect customer data and transactions.
What do I think?
ChoiceTrade offers commission-free trading of listed stocks and ETFs for both US and international clients with an easy and quick digital account opening process.
However, they charge high inactivity and withdrawal fees for bank transfers, and their withdrawal process is not very user-friendly.
If you prioritize commission-free trading and ease of account opening, ChoiceTrade could be a good choice.
To apply for an account or know more details about ChoiceTrade, click here.
TradeStation
TradeStation is a US-based stockbroker that is overseen by the top-tier US regulatory body, FINRA.
They have user-friendly trading platforms for both web and mobile devices, and their trading fees are generally low.
However, TradeStation does not allow deposits using credit or debit cards, and they do not offer forex trading. The quality of customer service could also be improved.
Account Information
TradeStation offers various account types including:
— Individual account
— Joint account
— Corporate account
— Trust account
— Retirement account
The minimum deposit to open an account is $500 for cash accounts and $2,000 for margin accounts.
They also offer a demo account for users to practice trading before using real money.
Fees
TradeStation charges commissions based on the number of shares or contracts traded, with a minimum of $0.01 per share or $1 per contract.
They also charge various fees, such as a monthly platform fee, data fees, and other miscellaneous fees.
Trading platforms
TradeStation offers a range of trading platforms, including a desktop platform, a web platform, and a mobile app.
Their desktop platform, TradeStation 10, offers advanced charting and analysis tools, as well as customizable layouts and hotkeys.
Their web platform, Web Trading, offers basic charting and analysis tools, as well as order entry and account management.
Their mobile app, TradeStation Mobile, offers basic charting and order entry tools.
Markets and Products
TradeStation offers trading in stocks, options, futures, and cryptocurrencies. They also offer mutual funds, bonds, and ETFs.
They provide access to a wide range of markets, including U.S. markets, Canadian markets, European markets, and Asian markets.
Research and Education
TradeStation offers a variety of research and educational resources, including market analysis, news, commentary, educational videos, webinars, and a platform called TradeStation University.
Customer Support
The broker offers customer support via phone, email, and live chat, and provides a knowledge base and FAQs section on their website.
Safety
They are regulated by the SEC and FINRA, and their membership with SIPC protects customers’ securities and cash up to $500,000 in case of brokerage firm insolvency.
TradeStation also uses advanced security measures, such as two-factor authentication, to protect customer accounts.
What do I think?
Their trading platforms are advanced and user-friendly, with a range of research and educational resources available.
However, TradeStation charges various fees, and customer service could be improved. It is best for equity traders who are focused on a buy-and-hold strategy.
To apply for an account with TradeStation or know more details, click here.
POEMS by Phillip Capital
POEMS is Singapore’s first online trading brokerage launched in 1996 by Phillip Capital.
With the increasing competition among online brokerages available to Singapore investors.
POEMS Phillip Capital offers a range of investment products and services, including brokerage accounts, trading accounts, and investment services.
Account Information
POEMS Phillip Capital offers both individual and corporate accounts with account types like cash accounts and margin accounts.
Fees
POEMS Phillip Capital charges fees for certain services such as commission fees, financing rates, and inactivity fees.
The commission fees for trading stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are competitive and based on a tiered pricing structure.
POEMS Phillip Capital offers a variety of commission-free ETFs for investors.
In general, the fees vary depending on the market and the trading platform used. For example:
Singapore stocks – minimum commission of SGD 10 or 0.08% of the trade value (whichever is higher)
Hong Kong stocks – minimum commission of HKD 50 or 0.15% of the trade value (whichever is higher)
US stocks – minimum commission of USD 20 or 0.15% of the trade value (whichever is higher)
ETFs – commission rates vary depending on the ETF and the market, but typically range from 0.08% to 0.5% of the trade value.
Trading Platforms
POEMS Phillip Capital offers several trading platforms, including POEMS, POEMS Mercury, and POEMS Mobile.
POEMS is the company’s flagship trading platform for desktop trading and offers advanced features such as:
— Real-time market data
— Advanced charting tools
— Customizable watchlists.
POEMS Mercury is a web-based trading platform that offers similar features to POEMS but can be accessed through a web browser.
POEMS Mobile is a mobile trading platform that offers access to real-time market data, trading, and order placement on the go.
Markets and Products
POEMS Phillip Capital offers a wide range of investment products such as stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, and options.
POEMS Phillip Capital offers access to international markets such as the US, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia.
Research and Education
POEMS Phillip Capital offers a range of research tools and educational resources for investors, which include:
— Research reports
— Market analysis
— Educational webinars
— Courses.
POEMS Phillip Capital’s research offerings include independent research from third-party providers. They also provide in-house research from the company’s team of analysts.
POEMS Phillip Capital also offers educational resources such as trading guides, investment seminars, and online courses.
Customer Support
POEMS Phillip Capital offers customer support through several channels, including phone, email, live chat, and in-person at its branch locations.
POEMS Phillip Capital also offers a comprehensive online help center, which includes a knowledge base, FAQs, and support articles.
Safety
POEMS Phillip Capital is a well-established financial services company with a long history of serving customers.
POEMS Phillip Capital is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The customers’ assets are held in segregated accounts to protect them from the company’s insolvency.
POEMS Phillip Capital also uses advanced security measures, such as two-factor authentication and encryption. This is done by the broker to protect customer accounts and information.
What do I think?
This broker provides commission-free ETFs, multiple trading platforms, and access to a wide range of investment products.
It also offers research tools and educational resources for investors, as well as customer support through multiple channels.
Overall, they appear to be a comprehensive and reliable brokerage firm for investors.
To apply for an account or to know more detail about POEMS by Phillip Capital (Singapore), click here.
DBS Vickers Securities
DBS Vickers Securities is a well-established brokerage firm in Asia that offers a range of trading platforms and investment products
However, its fees for stock and ETF trading can be relatively high compared to some other brokerages in the region.
Account Information
DBS Vickers offers various types of accounts, including cash accounts and margin accounts.
They also provide different types of accounts for corporate clients, such as the Corporate Securities Trading Account and the Corporate Trading Custodian Account.
Fees
DBS Vickers charges fees for various services such as account opening, custody, and trading fees.
The fees vary depending on the type of account and the product being traded.
According to the DBS Vickers website, the fees for stock and ETF trading in Asia vary depending on the market and the trading platform used. For example:
Singapore stocks – minimum commission of SGD 25 or 0.28% of the trade value (whichever is higher).
Hong Kong stocks – minimum commission of HKD 100 or 0.25% of the trade value (whichever is higher).
US stocks – minimum commission of USD 25 or 0.3% of the trade value (whichever is higher).
Canada stocks – minimum commission of CAD 50 or 0.3% of the trade value (whichever is higher).
ETFs – commission rates vary depending on the ETF and the market, but typically range from 0.08% to 0.5% of the trade value.
Trading Platforms
DBS Vickers provides several trading platforms, including DBS Vickers Online Trading Platform and DBS Vickers mTrading.
These platforms offer features such as real-time quotes, charting tools, and market news.
Markets and Products
DBS Vickers provides access to various markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong, the US, and Canada.
They offer a range of products, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and structured products.
Research and Education
DBS Vickers offers research reports, market analysis, and educational resources to help clients make informed investment decisions.
These resources include daily market insights, company reports, and educational webinars.
Customer Support
DBS Vickers offers customer support through various channels, including phone, email, and live chat.
They also have a dedicated customer service team to handle account-related inquiries.
Safety
DBS Vickers is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This ensures that the company follows strict guidelines to protect clients’ interests.
DBS Vickers also uses advanced security measures to protect clients’ accounts and information.
What do I think?
DBS Vickers is a regulated brokerage firm in Asia that offers various account types and trading platforms for clients to access markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, the US, and Canada.
To apply for an account or to know more detail about DBS Vickers, click here.
FSM One
FSMOne (FundSupermart) is an online trading platform with low fees for trading in Singapore and international markets.
They offer rewards through the FSMOne Prestige Privileges program for large investors.
Check out their website to learn more about their features, including processing fees.
Account Information
FSMOne offers individual and joint accounts, as well as trust accounts. They also offer Corporate and Limited Partnership accounts for businesses.
Fees
FSMOne charges fees for various services such as account opening, custody, and trading fees.
The fees vary depending on the type of account and the product being traded. Overall, their fees are considered to be relatively low compared to other brokers in Singapore.
For example, As of April 2023, FSMOne charges the following fees for stock and ETF trading in Singapore:
Commission fee – 0.08% of the trade value or a minimum of SGD 10 per trade, whichever is higher.
Clearing fee – 0.0325% of the trade value.
Trading access fee – SGD 2.14 per counter, per day.
GST – 7% of commission, clearing, and trading access fees.
For international markets, the fees vary depending on the market and the product being traded.
Trading Platforms
FSMOne provides a user-friendly online trading platform, which allows clients to trade in Singapore and international markets.
FSMOne also has a mobile app available for iOS and Android devices.
Markets and Products
FSMOne provides access to various markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong, the US, and Canada.
They offer a range of products, including stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and unit trusts.
Research and Education
FSMOne offers research reports, market analysis, and educational resources to help clients make informed investment decisions.
These resources include daily market insights, company reports, and educational webinars.
Customer Support
FSMOne offers customer support through various channels, including phone, email, and live chat.
Safety
FSMOne is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which ensures that the company follows strict guidelines to protect clients’ interests.
They also use advanced security measures to protect clients’ accounts and information.
What do I think?
FSMOne is an online trading platform that offers low fees for trading in Singapore and international markets.
Its FSMOne Prestige Privileges program offers rewards for clients who invest large sums of money.
FSMOne also provides access to a wide range of markets and products, with useful research and educational resources available to its clients.
To apply for an account or to know more detail about FSMOne, click here.
Honourable Mentions
However, there are other online stock brokers in Asia deemed as best based on different factors such as fees, trading platforms, markets, products, etc. They are:
— Saxo Markets
— TD Ameritrade Asia
— Charles Schwab International
— IG
— eToro
— Phillip Capital
— TD Direct Investing International
You should note that there are various factors while selecting an efficient broker, which I have considered.
Yet, not all brokers are appropriate for all types of clients as the necessities vary from client to client.
For example, a client might be looking for low fees, whereas another might be looking for broad exposure to various markets and products.
Bottom Line
It is always wise to go with a broker that is known to provide the necessary features based on your requirements.
All the information provided within this article is accurate and up to date at the time of writing this article.
It might change while you read this, and that’s the reason why I provided links to the broker’s website at the end of each broker discussion.
You should know that the information provided within this article is for general educational purposes. I am neither affiliated with any of these brokers nor do I endorse them.
Finally, it is always wise to consult with your financial advisor before making a decision related to investments.
If you do not have a financial advisor, then you are in luck, because I offer tailored investment solutions to my clients.
My services are specifically designed for people who are either expats or high-net-worth individuals.
Feel free to contact me to know whether or not you can benefit from the investment-related services that I offer.
Pained by financial indecision? Want to invest with Adam?
Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters, with over 760.2 million answer views on Quora.com, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.
