2026 US Stock Investment Guide | Comparison of Five Major US Stock Platforms and Re-entrustment with Taiwan Local Securities Firms

Want to participate in U.S. stock investing but don’t know which U.S. stock platform to choose? Increasingly, Taiwanese investors are turning their attention to overseas markets, especially as the appeal of the U.S. stock market continues to grow. Just like investing in Taiwanese stocks requires opening an account with a local broker, trading U.S. stocks also requires a professional trading platform. This article will comprehensively analyze how to select the right U.S. stock trading platform, the ways for Taiwanese investors to purchase U.S. stocks, and a detailed comparison of account opening fees and transaction costs across various platforms.

Five Core Dimensions for Choosing a U.S. Stock Platform

When faced with numerous U.S. stock trading platforms, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions before jumping in: Are you a beginner or an experienced trader? How large is your capital? What are your requirements for mobile experience? Clarifying your investment needs, then applying the following standards, will help you find the most suitable platform:

Capital security is the top priority

The primary risk in overseas investing is capital safety. To determine if a U.S. stock platform is reliable, the key is whether it is recognized by authoritative regulatory agencies, such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Once a platform is regulated by these agencies, even in the event of bankruptcy, investors’ assets are protected by law.

Tradable products determine investment flexibility

Different U.S. stock platforms offer varying trading products. Some platforms impose limits on options combinations, or prohibit short selling, which can be restrictive for hedging or experienced traders. Before opening an account, be sure to verify on the official website whether the platform supports the trading tools you need.

Fee structure and hidden costs should not be overlooked

Most U.S. stock platforms charge per trade, with some charging per share. The main cost differences often lie in hidden fees—such as extra charges for exceeding certain share limits. Additionally, promotional policies can significantly reduce investment costs; some platforms offer cash rebates or trial funds to new customers.

The convenience of Chinese language support varies from person to person

Poor English communication can cause unnecessary trouble. Currently, many U.S. stock platforms offer comprehensive Chinese language support, including Chinese websites and 24/7 customer service, greatly enhancing the investment experience.

Speed of fund flow affects trading efficiency

The speed of deposits, withdrawals, and transfers directly impacts capital turnover efficiency. The faster the funds arrive, the quicker you can respond to trading opportunities; slower speeds may cause you to miss out.

Five Major U.S. Stock Platforms Benchmarking (Latest 2026 Version)

Based on the five key selection dimensions above, we have selected the five largest and most well-known U.S. stock trading platforms in the industry, providing a detailed comparison of trading fees, withdrawal costs, regulatory qualifications, and tradable products:

In-Depth Analysis and Recommendations for the Five Platforms

Interactive Brokers｜A Tool Platform for Professional Investors

Chinese Language Support: Supports Chinese, but no physical branches in Taiwan

Trading Costs:

• Fixed: $0.005 per share
• Tiered: $0.0005–$0.0035 per share (based on monthly trading volume)

Platform Advantages:

• Industry-leading comprehensive features, designed for experienced traders
• Large transaction volume reduces costs significantly
• Most complete range of investment products, supporting diversified strategies

Platform Disadvantages:

• Complex interface, steep learning curve for beginners
• Higher unit costs for small trades

Overview: Founded in 1977, supports account opening in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, etc. No minimum deposit, but a minimum of $2,000 required for margin accounts. Provides Chinese customer support.

Key Features:

• Wide range of products: U.S. stocks, UK, Germany, Japan, Korea stocks, futures, options, forex, mutual funds, etc.
• Extensive international market coverage, ideal for professional investors with global allocation needs
• Fee models include two options; high-volume traders benefit from decreasing rates, with third-party fees also applicable

Mitrade｜A Friendly Choice for Small-Amount U.S. Stock Investment

Chinese Language Support: Full Chinese support, local Taiwanese customer service team

Trading Costs:

• No commission model
• Variable spreads, as low as 0.01

Platform Advantages:

• Simple, intuitive interface, very beginner-friendly
• Optimal cost structure for small investments
• Minimum 0.01 lot to open U.S. stock positions, leverage adjustable from 1-200x
• Wide range of trading products to meet diverse investment needs

Platform Disadvantages:

• Demo account valid for only 3 months

Overview: Established in 2011, with over a million users worldwide, supports account opening in Taiwan, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. Offers trading in stocks, forex, indices, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, with zero commissions, starting from 0.01 lot, very low minimum deposit. One of Taiwan’s largest CFD platforms.

Key Features:

• Regulatory backing: Authorized by CIMA (SIB license 1612446), ASIC (AFSL license 398528)
• Product coverage: Stocks, indices, forex, gold, oil, cryptocurrencies, ETFs
• Leverage trading: Use less capital to control larger positions, up to 200x leverage
• Cost advantages: Zero commission, tight spreads, start trading with just $50
• Flexible deposits/withdrawals: Supports NTD channels, monthly free withdrawal limits based on total deposits, over-limit withdrawals cost only $5

SogoTrade｜A Cost-Effective Choice for Large-Volume Traders

Chinese Language Support: Available

Trading Costs:

• Under 100 shares: $2.88 per trade
• Over $2,000 deposit per trade: No commission

Platform Advantages:

• Significant cost savings for large transactions
• Attractive account opening incentives

Platform Disadvantages:

• Higher unit costs for small retail traders, not suitable for frequent small trades

Overview: Founded in 1986, supports account opening in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore. No minimum deposit, $2.88 fixed fee per trade, provides Chinese customer service.

Key Features:

• Competitive account opening bonuses
• Cost structure less friendly for small trades
• Recent risk of phishing scams—must verify official channels

Firstrade｜A Fast-Start Platform

Chinese Language Support: Available but no real-time online customer service

Trading Costs:

• No commission
• $25 per withdrawal fee

Platform Advantages:

• Suitable for beginners wanting to start trading quickly
• No minimum deposit or account balance requirements

Platform Disadvantages:

• Market data may have delays
• Hidden costs like PFOF (payment for order flow)
• Customer service response may be slower

Overview: Founded in 1985, supports account opening in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore. No minimum deposit, zero commissions, supports Chinese app.

Key Features:

• Trading products: U.S. stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds
• Low-cost entry, no minimum account size
• Time zone difference: Chinese customer service operates on U.S. Eastern Time, possible delays

Fidelity｜Additional Option for Overseas Account Holders

Platform Advantages:

• No-commission trading for individual investors
• Suitable for Taiwanese traders with accounts elsewhere

Platform Disadvantages:

• Only supports trading, no account opening in Taiwan
• Higher margin interest rates

Overview: Founded in 1946, supports account opening in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore. No minimum deposit, no minimum account balance, commission-free trading.

Key Features:

• Free stock and ETF trading, including no-fee mutual funds
• No routine fees (no phone fees, brokerage service fees, etc.)
• Taiwanese users can only buy funds; direct U.S. stock accounts not supported
• High financing costs: approximately 5.5%–9.825% interest rate

Alternative Paths for Buying U.S. Stocks in Taiwan｜Repurchase Agency Comparison

If you prefer not to open an overseas account directly, Taiwanese investors can also buy U.S. stocks through local brokers’ “repurchase agency” services. Simply put, Taiwanese brokers act as intermediaries, placing orders with foreign brokers on your behalf. Currently, five Taiwanese brokers offer this service:

Comparison of Five Taiwanese Brokers’ Repurchase Agency Services

Details of Each Broker

Yuanta Securities｜The Oldest Choice Founded in 1961, the most extensive branch network in Taiwan. U.S. stock repurchase fee is 0.5%-1% of trading amount, with a minimum of $35. Suitable for investors with strong local service needs.

Fubon Securities｜Convenience of Integrated Accounts Founded in 1988, supports linking over 40 banks for deposits and withdrawals (limited to Taiwanese stocks), saving the hassle of opening separate bank accounts. U.S. stock trading fee is 0.25%, no minimum.

KGI Securities｜Account Integration Advantage Founded in 1988, consolidates Taiwanese stocks, overseas stocks, and funds into one account, simplifying the process. U.S. stock repurchase fee is 0.5%-1%, with a minimum of $39.9.

Chung Yi Securities｜One of the Lowest Fee Options Founded in 1988, supports linking multiple bank accounts. U.S. stock repurchase fee is only 0.2%, with a minimum of $3, making it highly competitive locally.

Mega Securities｜Innovative Charging Model Founded in 1989, smaller scale but pioneered per-share billing (0.1 USD/share, minimum $1), offering a new option for small traders.

How Much Capital Is Needed to Start Investing in U.S. Stocks? The Truth

Many mistakenly believe that opening a U.S. stock account requires high fees—that is completely incorrect. Opening an account at a legitimate, licensed financial institution is generally free.

The main cost in U.S. stock investing is simply the cost of buying the stocks themselves.

Unlike Taiwanese stocks, where one lot (1000 shares) is the standard trading unit, the minimum trading unit for U.S. stocks is 1 share. For example, Facebook’s current price is about $631—without leverage, buying one share costs $631.

However, there’s another way: CFD trading. Through leverage, you can participate in U.S. stocks, indices, precious metals, forex, and other markets with less capital.

Three Main Costs of CFD Trading

Spread Cost The difference between buy and sell prices, with the buy price usually slightly higher. This spread widens with larger trade sizes and is the main cost of CFD trading.

Commission (Handling Fee) Some platforms charge a commission, usually a percentage of the trade amount or a fixed fee. For example, Mitrade offers zero-commission trading, with spreads among the best in the industry.

Overnight Fees Holding positions overnight incurs costs. The formula is: number of lots × contract size per lot × opening price × overnight fee percentage(%)

For example, gold on Mitrade as of November 11, 2025, has overnight fees of:

• Buy side: -0.016800%
• Sell side: -0.014000%

Mitrade’s Cost Advantage: Minimum deposit of only $50, making it the top choice for small-scale U.S. stock investments.

Comparison of Trading Tools and Services Across U.S. Stock Platforms

As internet technology advances, U.S. stock platforms are increasingly equipped with practical trading tools. Taking Mitrade as an example, modern platforms typically offer:

Trading Strategy Tools

Use fundamental and technical analysis based on recent price trends to provide scientific decision-making guidance for your next moves.

Market View Summaries

Aggregate short- and medium-term opinions from industry experts on popular assets, helping you anticipate market sentiment.

Economic Calendar Alerts

Highlight events that may impact prices, including data releases, market holidays, key speeches, etc., with importance levels.

Real-Time News Feed

Covering forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, technical analysis, economic health, and national news, providing instant updates relevant to investments.

Real-Time Quotes

Zero-latency market data, combined with various charting tools, clearly showing price evolution over different periods to support precise trend analysis.

Market Sentiment Index

Summarizes bullish and bearish ratios, helping you gauge market attitude toward specific assets.

Risk Management Features

Offer take-profit, stop-loss, and trailing stop functions, allowing you to lock in profits at target levels or cut losses when the market moves unfavorably, all without needing to monitor the market constantly.

Final Selection and Summary Framework

Step 1: Define Your Investment Profile

• Are you a beginner or an experienced trader?
• How much capital can you invest?
• What are your requirements for trading frequency and product diversity?

Step 2: Filter Platforms Based on Needs

• For beginners with limited funds: prioritize Mitrade (small amount friendly, simple interface)
• For professionals with large capital: consider Interactive Brokers (full features, optimized fees)
• For stability and local service: prioritize Taiwanese brokers’ repurchase agency services

Step 3: Weigh All Dimensions Compare service quality, fee transparency, safety, tradable products, customer support responsiveness, etc., to select the most suitable platform.

Remember, choosing a U.S. stock platform doesn’t need to be rushed. Spending time researching and comparing is far better than blindly jumping in. Keep in mind that a regulated, licensed platform is the basic prerequisite, followed by considerations of costs and user experience. Wishing you a smooth start on your U.S. stock investment journey.