How will Taiwanese investors choose a US stock trading platform in 2026? A comprehensive comparison guide of the top five brokerage firms

Why Are More and More Taiwanese Investing in US Stocks?

In recent years, the attractiveness of the US stock market to Taiwanese investors has significantly increased. Unlike Taiwan stocks, which can only be traded through Taiwanese brokers, entering the US stock market requires choosing a suitable US stock trading platform. But with so many options available, how do you get started?

This article will help you clarify the process, analyzing mainstream US stock trading platforms from platform security, trading costs, service quality to actual operation, so you can find the one that best fits your investment style.

The 5 Core Indicators for Choosing a US Stock Trading Platform

Before recommending platforms, let’s look at the evaluation criteria. Different investors have vastly different needs—some are small-scale beginners, some are high-volume traders, some need Chinese customer service, and others care about trading speed. So the first step is always: Understand your own needs.

Then, you can refer to the following five evaluation dimensions:

1. Fund Security and Regulatory Qualifications

The biggest concern in overseas investing is capital risk. Whether a broker is trustworthy first depends on its regulatory backing. US financial regulators FINRA, SIPC, Australian Securities and Investments Commission ASIC, and others are internationally recognized regulatory bodies.

If the broker is a member of these organizations, even in extreme cases like bankruptcy, investors’ assets can be protected accordingly. This is absolutely non-negotiable.

2. Trading Instruments and Flexibility

Different platforms offer different US stock products. Some restrict options strategies, some prohibit short selling, and others provide a rich variety of derivatives trading.

If you just want to buy blue-chip stocks and ETFs, your options are broad; but if you want to advance into options or margin trading, you must confirm whether the platform supports these features. Be sure to check the official website carefully before opening an account.

3. Fee Structure and Hidden Costs

Most US stock trading platforms charge per trade or per share. On the surface, the differences seem minor, but once you consider hidden costs like withdrawal fees, overnight fees, spreads, etc., the total cost difference can reach 20% or more.

Some platforms advertise zero commissions, but in reality, they charge through spreads or other indirect fees. When choosing a platform, make sure to add up all costs.

4. Chinese Service and Customer Support

For investors whose native language is not English, language barriers can cause significant losses when problems arise. Many US stock platforms offer Chinese services, but quality varies. Some only have Chinese websites but no Chinese-speaking customer service; others provide 24-hour Chinese support.

This may seem minor, but it can be life-saving in emergencies.

5. Fund Flow Speed

The speed of deposits, withdrawals, and transfers directly affects trading efficiency. If you are optimistic about a stock and want to buy immediately but are hindered by slow fund arrival, you could miss the opportunity. Conversely, quick capital turnover allows you to respond more flexibly to market fluctuations.

Major Comparison of International US Stock Trading Platforms

Interactive Brokers — The First Choice for Professional Investors

Trading Fees: $0.005 per share or tiered $0.0005-$0.0035
Withdrawal Fees: $10 Regulatory Qualifications: FINRA, SIPC
Tradeable Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Options, Futures, Forex (including CFDs)

Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers is one of the world’s largest electronic brokers. It supports account opening in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and more, with no minimum deposit.

Why choose it:

• Most comprehensive product range, covering stocks, futures, options, forex, etc.
• Wide trading scope, not just US stocks but also UK, German, Japanese, Korean stocks
• Cost-effective for large-volume traders, with per-share fees dropping to $0.0005 when monthly trading exceeds 100 million shares

Not suitable for:

• Beginners. The platform interface is complex and not intuitive
• Small traders. Even the cheapest tiered fee structure can be costly for small trades
• Users with no English foundation

Additional note: To open margin accounts, a minimum of $2,000 must be maintained.

Mitrade — Friendly Choice for Small Investors and Beginners

Trading Fees: Zero commission, floating spreads as low as 0.01
Withdrawal Fees: Less than $10,000 deposit: 1 free per month, then $5 each; over $10,000 deposit: 2 free per month
Regulatory Qualifications: ASIC, CySEC
Tradeable Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Commodities (CFD trading)

Founded in 2011, Mitrade has over a million users worldwide, with a large user base in Taiwan. Its biggest feature is extremely low entry barriers—a $50 deposit and trading 0.01 lots of US stocks.

Why choose it:

• Simple, intuitive interface, easy for beginners
• Completely commission-free, transparent cost structure
• Supports TWD deposits and withdrawals, friendly to Taiwanese users
• Offers demo accounts with $50,000 virtual funds for risk-free practice
• Flexible leverage (1-200x), allowing small investors to participate in more trades

Not suitable for:

• Professional investors needing margin trading for stocks
• Demo accounts valid for only 3 months; long-term practice incurs higher costs

Additional note: Mitrade uses CFD contracts, meaning you trade price movements rather than directly owning stocks. Suitable for short-term trading but not for long-term value investing.

SogoTrade — Choice for Moderate Capital Investors

Trading Fees: $2.88 per trade for under 100 shares; zero commission for accounts over $2,000
Withdrawal Fees: $50 Regulatory Qualifications: FINRA, SIPC
Tradeable Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, Options, Cryptocurrencies

Founded in 1986, supports account opening in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, etc., with no minimum deposit.

Why choose it:

• Attractive sign-up bonuses, often over a thousand USD
• Suitable for retail investors with moderate capital

Clear disadvantages:

• Higher trading costs, not ideal for frequent traders
• Recent reports of phishing scam websites; verify official URL before opening

Firstrade — Balanced Choice for Quick Entry

Trading Fees: No commission
Withdrawal Fees: $25 Regulatory Qualifications: FINRA, SIPC
Tradeable Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Options

Founded in 1985, supports account opening in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, with no minimum deposit and no minimum account balance.

Why choose it:

• Low trading costs, no commissions
• Supports Chinese app and documentation
• Good for beginners wanting quick start

But note:

• Quotes may have a few seconds delay
• Although commission-free, it uses PFOF (payment for order flow), which can obscure actual costs
• Chinese customer service hours may be limited, response speed can be slow

Fidelity — Alternative for International Investors

Trading Fees: No commission for individual investors
Withdrawal Fees: $10 Regulatory Qualifications: FINRA, SIPC
Tradeable Instruments: Stocks, ETFs, Funds, Bonds, Options

Founded in 1946, one of the largest independent financial services firms worldwide.

Important restrictions:

• In Taiwan, only mutual funds can be purchased; US stock accounts and trading are not supported
• Suitable only for investors who already have accounts in other regions

Domestic Taiwanese Brokers’ Cross-Border Delegated Services

If you prefer not to bother opening international accounts, Taiwanese brokers’ cross-border delegated services are another option. Simply put, you delegate your orders to a Taiwanese broker who then executes trades through foreign brokers on your behalf.

Comparison of Five Main Taiwanese Brokers

Advantages of cross-border delegation:

• No need for international bank accounts
• Supports direct TWD trading
• Familiar operation style

Disadvantages:

• Generally higher fees (international platforms are often cheaper)
• Slower transaction speed
• Limited by the broker’s partner network

How Much Capital Do You Really Need to Invest in US Stocks?

Many believe opening a US stock account costs a lot. Clarification: opening a US stock account at a legitimate financial institution is usually completely free.

The real cost comes from purchasing stocks themselves.

Taiwan stocks’ minimum unit is 1 lot (1,000 shares), while US stocks are traded in single shares. For example, Facebook’s current price is about $631. Without leverage, buying 1 share costs $631.

This is why CFD platforms like Mitrade attract small investors—they use leverage to let you participate with less capital.

Cost Components of CFD Trading

If you choose CFD trading for US stocks, the main costs include:

1. Spread: The difference between buy and sell prices, usually the largest trading cost
2. Commission: Some platforms charge, others don’t (Mitrade does not)
3. Overnight Fees: Interest paid for holding positions overnight, calculated as: trade volume × lot size × opening price × daily overnight rate (%)

For example, on Mitrade, the overnight fee for gold on Nov 11, 2025, was:

• Buy: -0.016800%
• Sell: -0.014000%

Although these percentages seem small, long-term holding can accumulate significant costs.

Core Tools Provided by US Stock Trading Platforms

Modern US stock platforms have evolved into comprehensive information centers. For example, Mitrade offers free tools including:

Trading Strategies: Based on recent technical and fundamental analysis, predicting next moves
Market Views: Short- and medium-term opinions from industry experts, reflecting market sentiment
Economic Calendar: Highlights events that may impact prices—data releases, holidays, speeches, etc.
Real-time News: Covering forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, technical analysis, economic health, etc.
Real-time Quotes: Unlagged price updates with multiple chart tools for trend analysis
Sentiment Index: Shows market bullish/bearish ratios to help gauge current market attitude
Risk Management Tools: Take-profit/stop-loss settings and trailing stops to automatically lock in profits

How to Start Investing in US Stocks? A Three-Step Process Using Mitrade as an Example

Step 1: Create an Account

After entering the platform, fill in basic info—email, password, base currency (USD/AUD, etc.). You can also quickly link via Facebook or Google.

The system will automatically provide a demo account with $50,000 virtual funds. This environment is identical to real trading, making it the best way to familiarize yourself with the platform and test strategies. The demo account is valid for 3 months.

Step 2: Upgrade to a Real Trading Account

If satisfied with the demo experience, upgrading is simple. Complete additional info—residence, name, ID number, date of birth, phone, etc.

The platform will perform KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. As an ASIC-regulated platform, Mitrade’s review process is strict but transparent, and customer support can answer in Chinese or English.

Step 3: Deposit Funds and Start Trading

Supports multiple deposit methods—Skrill, Poli, Visa, MasterCard, bank transfer.

Once funded, you can start trading. Mitrade offers nearly 400 popular financial products, including US stocks, indices, forex, gold, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, etc.

Final Advice

When choosing a US stock trading platform, there is no absolute “best,” only “most suitable.”

If you are a small-scale beginner, Mitrade’s simple interface and low entry barriers are most friendly; if you are an experienced investor needing comprehensive tools, Interactive Brokers, though complex, offers full features; if you prefer familiar Taiwan-style operations, cross-border delegation is the most familiar choice.

The key is to ask yourself three questions before investing:

1. How much is my starting capital?
2. What do I want to trade?
3. What language support do I need?

Once you have the answers, the right platform will naturally emerge. Wishing you a smooth US stock investment journey!