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 18 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. Here are our picks.
15+ online brokers reviewed and rated by our team of experts
Evaluated under our unbiased rating system covering eight categories
20+ years of combined experience covering financial topics
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Why it's the best overall: For its unmatched global access and international investment options.
Trade in international markets multiple ways with Interactive Brokers. Access more than 90 stock markets worldwide including the London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange through the user-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader mobile platform. Or turn to IBKR's flagship desktop platform, Trader Workstation, to trade stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds on over 150 markets worldwide.
Trade assets in another country's currency and leverage IBKR's FXTrader to trade currency markets with over 100 currency pairs. Meanwhile, IBKR GlobalAnalyst, a tool to analyze valuation metrics, makes it easy to screen for stocks around the world.
Pros
Trade stocks across more than 90 global markets with the IBKR GlobalTrade app
Access stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds on over 150 markets worldwide
Screen foreign stocks with IBKR GlobalAnalyst
Trade over 100 currency pairs using FXTrader
Low foreign trade fee of $4.05 on average per order
Open a new account and transfer up to $20,000 via ACATS to earn a 1.5% cash rewards match or deposit $100 or more to get 7 fractional shares of “Magnificent 7” stocks.
In addition to trading in the US market, Moomoo offers international investing in Asian markets. Though its global access is limited, Moomoo offers the lowest average foreign trade fee per order.
Traders and investors looking to tap into Asian markets can do so with Moomoo's pro-level desktop and mobile trading platforms.
Pros
Trade in Asian markets
Low foreign trade fee of $2.34 on average per order
Customizable trading platforms
Trading simulator available
Cons
Limited investment options
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, ETFs
Account types
Brokerage
Minimum deposit
$0
Signup bonus
Choose a 1.5% match or 7 free fractional shares when you open a new account and meet funding requirements
Cash sweep APY
5.10%
Cash sweep insured
FDIC
Cash sweep insurance amount
$500,000
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Cash sweep APY
5.10%
Signup bonus
Choose a 1.5% match or 7 free fractional shares when you open a new account and meet funding requirements
Fidelity offers stock trading in 25 countries and forex trading in 16 currencies, with real-time global market data available to help you make trading decisions based on the latest market movements.
Fidelity provides advanced charting features and premium independent research to help you research and find potential investment opportunities, and it customer support team features dedicated international trading specialists if you ever need help with your account. Add a highly-rated mobile app to the equation and you've got a broker with plenty to offer for international traders.
Pros
Buy and sell stocks in 25 countries
Exchange between 16 currencies
24/7 customer support
Top-tier research and trading tools
Cons
High foreign trade fee of $20.63 on average per order
The Fidelity Active Trader Pro desktop platform interface looks and feels antiquated
Charles Schwab's international investment offerings include equities trading in over 30 foreign markets for its regular brokerage accounts. With a Schwab Global Account, trade in 12 foreign markets in their local currencies.
Real-time data is available during foreign market hours and trading tools include an international stock screener, Schwab Equity Ratings International and third-party research. And if you need help with a transaction, Schwab's Global Investing Services representatives can help.
Pros
Trade in over 30 foreign markets with a regular Schwab brokerage account
Trade in the local currency in 12 global markets with a Schwab Global account
High-end research and analysis tools
Cons
High foreign trade fee of $49 on average per order
A TradeStation Global account combines the TradeStation trading technology with the global market access of Interactive Brokers, offering access to global stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds.
Trade on over 150 markets worldwide, including Europe, the UK, Japan, Singapore, Australia and more. And with a choice of trading platforms as well as sophisticated research and analysis tools, it's well worth checking out TradeStation to trade internationally.
Pros
TradeStation trading platform using Interactive Brokers' global market access
Access stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds on over 150 markets worldwide
Trade in over 26 currencies
Low foreign trade fee of $2.34 on average per order
Methodology: How we choose the best international stock brokers
Finder’s investments experts review 18 brokers available on the market to narrow down the best international stock brokers for trading and investing.
We analyze each platform based on 147 key metrics we collect directly from brokers and assess each provider’s performance based on eight different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then score and rank each provider depending on how it performs in each category.
How we weigh the overall rating
Category
Weighting
Investment options
15%
Trading platforms and technology
10%
Trading costs
16%
Account fees
4%
Account types and minimums
5%
Customer support
5%
Mobile app ratings and security
5%
Features and amenities
40%
We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.
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.
What Tim thinks about trading international stocks
Trading international stocks is a great way to diversify your portfolio beyond the US market. But there's a lot to learn if you're going to successfully invest in foreign markets, so it's important to stay up to date with the latest news and economic developments from around the world.
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. As a general guide, expect to pay a fee of around 0.2-1% when you convert currency.
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.
Compare and find the broker that's right for you
Match your experience level with your trading and investing goals to find the right broker for you.
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Do most or all of your trading on your mobile device
Frequently asked questions about the best international stock brokers
Which broker is best for international trading?
Finder found that Interactive Brokers is best for international trading because it provides access to 150 markets in 33 countries 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.
Matt Miczulski is an investments editor at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions.
Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University.
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