4 Best International Brokerage Accounts

Although the US is home to the world’s two largest stock exchanges — the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq — international investments offer a degree of diversification and growth that can help bolster a portfolio.

Finder’s experts analyzed US brokers to find the best stock brokers for international trading. The best international stock brokers offer not only access to global markets but also low costs and fees and feature-rich platforms with options suitable for traders and investors of different experience levels.

4 best international stock brokers of 2026

• Best overall: Interactive Brokers
• Fidelity Investments
• Charles Schwab
• TradeStation

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Methodology: How we choose the best international stock brokers

International trading has its own priorities that don’t map cleanly onto a general brokerage review — market access and true foreign-exchange trading capability matter more here than they do for a broker that only trades US-listed stocks. We built this methodology around what actually determines whether a broker is a genuine international trading option, not just one that happens to offer ADRs.

Finder’s investments experts evaluated brokers with a specific focus on international trading capability, scoring each one across the categories below, ranked from most to least heavily weighted in the overall score.

What we look at, in order of importance

1. Global market access. Number of foreign exchanges and countries with direct trading access — not just ADRs — and whether the broker supports genuine foreign ordinaries.
2. Trading costs and currency conversion fees. Commission structure for foreign trades and the fee charged to convert USD into local currencies.
3. Investment options. Range of tradable assets available on foreign markets, including stocks, bonds, options and funds.
4. Trading platforms and technology. Real-time international market data, multi-currency account support and platform quality for trading outside standard US hours.
5. Account types and minimums. Whether international trading is available in retirement accounts, and any minimum balance requirements to unlock it.
6. Customer support. Availability of support familiar with the added complexity of foreign trades, settlement and tax reporting.
7. Mobile app quality. Usability for monitoring and trading foreign positions on the go.

We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market, and we regularly review and revise our selections to reflect the most competitive international brokers available.

How to open an international trading account

Opening an international trading account is typically no different than opening a regular brokerage account. Submit an application for global trading if the broker requires a separate account, fund your account and then start trading. If the broker doesn’t require a separate account, you may still need to enable international trading.

Before you sign up, confirm the broker actually offers direct foreign market access from the US — some international-sounding products are restricted to non-US residents, so check the fine print rather than assuming a broker’s global brand extends to your account.

What should you look for when choosing an international stock broker?

The best international stock broker for you will depend on whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader, where you want to invest and the features you want in a trading platform. With this in mind, consider the following factors when comparing your options.

• Available markets. Which international markets will you be able to access? As well as major exchanges in Europe and Asia, will you also be able to trade stocks in emerging markets around the world?
• Brokerage fees. Commission-free trading typically only applies to US-listed stocks and ETFs traded online, which means you can expect to pay some sort of trading fee when buying foreign stocks. Trades that require the assistance of a broker are typically subject to an even higher commission, often between $25 and $35 per trade. Other fees to watch out for are foreign transaction fees and currency conversion fees.
• Ease of use. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced investor, the best brokers offer easy-to-use trading platforms. Check whether the broker has web, desktop and mobile trading platforms. Are they simple and intuitive to use?
• Account types. Can you only invest in international stocks through an individual brokerage account or can you invest through a retirement account?
• Tradable assets. If you want to trade more than just stocks and ETFs, check what other assets you can buy and sell through the platform. For example, can you trade bonds, options, futures, mutual funds, forex and cryptocurrencies?
• Research and analysis. What tools are available to help you research companies before you invest? Can you access expert analysis (either free or for a subscription fee) to help inform your trading decisions?
• Market data. Does the broker display real-time or delayed market data? Having the latest data at your fingertips allows you to trade based on current market conditions and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
• Reporting and portfolio management. Check what sort of portfolio management tools you can access through your brokerage account to track the performance of your investments. You may also want to find out what tools are available to help you report your investment income at tax time.
• Other features. Consider other important features, such as fractional shares, advanced charting and technical analysis tools and educational resources.
• Customer support. Trading foreign stocks can be complex. Having quality customer support at the ready will help make the process smoother, so check out how you can contact the broker’s support team and whether help is available after hours.
• User reviews. Check independent review sites to see what other customers say about a broker. If you’ll be trading via the broker’s mobile app, read customer reviews in the relevant app store.

Which international stock broker offers $0 commissions?

While plenty of brokers advertise fee-free trading, this typically only applies when you trade US-listed stocks and ETFs. So if you want to trade international stocks, you’ll need to be prepared to cover the cost of brokerage fees.

Brokerage is commonly calculated as a percentage of the trade value, with a minimum fee per transaction, but some brokers also charge flat fees. Make sure you check whether the fee is denominated in USD or a foreign currency, as fees charged in foreign currencies will fluctuate as the exchange rate changes. It’s also worth mentioning that some brokers offer tiered pricing structures, so you may be able to access a lower fee if you’re a high-volume trader.

But the commission isn’t the only fee you’ll need to consider when buying international stocks. You’ll also need to contend with the currency conversion fee when you exchange your USD to another currency to buy international stocks. Fees vary widely by broker — some charge as little as 0.03%, while others charge upward of 1% — so as a general guide, expect to pay somewhere in the 0.03-1% range depending on which broker you use.

Pros and cons of international stock brokers

Pros

• Diversify your portfolio. Buying overseas stocks allows you to diversify your portfolio beyond the US border. This allows you to spread your risk around and take advantage of opportunities that don’t exist closer to home.
• Invest in major global companies. From healthcare giants to some of the world’s largest mining companies, the best international trading brokers make it easy to invest in major global brands.
• Gain exposure to emerging and developed markets. While international trading allows you to buy shares in developed markets like the UK, Japan and Australia, it also allows you to target emerging markets that offer significant growth potential.

Cons

• Costs of international investments. Between commissions, currency conversion costs and other fees, international stocks can be more expensive than investing in US companies.
• Changes in currency exchange rates. Investment returns will be impacted if the exchange rate between the US dollar and the currency of an international investment fluctuates.
• Unfamiliar markets. US investors may not understand all the different factors that influence foreign markets, which might result in unexpected investment losses.

Is it worth investing in international stocks?

International stocks can help diversify your portfolio and reduce risk by spreading exposure across different economies and markets. It also gives you a chance to tap into growing markets and industries you might not find in the US. That said, things like currency swings, political uncertainty and different regulations can make it more complex. Whether international stocks are worth investing in comes down to how much homework you’re willing to do and whether you believe the potential rewards are worth the added risks.

Frequently asked questions

• Which broker is best for international trading?

  Finder found that Interactive Brokers is best for international trading because it provides access to 170+ global markets and a range of tradable assets and tools to suit beginners and experienced traders.

• Can you trade stocks internationally?

  Yes, you can trade stocks internationally if you use a broker that offers access to foreign markets. While many brokers offer access to ADRs, only a handful of brokers offer access to foreign ordinaries and direct trading in foreign markets.

• How can I buy US stocks internationally?

  If you want to invest in US stocks from overseas, you'll need to find a broker that allows you to trade on US stock exchanges. The options available vary depending on where you live, so research the best international stock brokers in your country.

• Do all online brokers allow you to buy international stocks?

  No. While many brokers provide exposure to global markets through ETFs, mutual funds and ADRs, only a select range of brokers allow you to buy and sell stocks on international exchanges.