Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

5 best international stock brokers to invest in foreign assets

Our picks of the best brokers for international trading, offering global market access, low fees and numerous investment options.

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.

5 best international stock brokers of 2024

Why trust Finder

  • 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

We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.

Best overall

Interactive Brokers

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Moomoo

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Get 8.1% APY for 3 months on idle cash and up to 15 free stocks with qualified deposits. T&Cs apply.
Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet up to 15 free stocks

Fidelity Investments

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Charles Schwab

4.5
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet a $101 bonus

TradeStation

4.2
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site Read review
Stock trade fee$0
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet $50 - $5,000

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

CategoryWeighting
Investment options15%
Trading platforms and technology10%
Trading costs16%
Account fees4%
Account types and minimums5%
Customer support5%
Mobile app ratings and security5%
Features and amenities40%

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.
  • A photo of timfalk

    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.

    — Tim Falk, .

    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.
    If you're a And want to Consider this
    Beginner investor Do most or all of your trading on your mobile device Best stock trading apps
    Beginner investor Trade and invest with as few fees as possible Best discount stock brokers
    Beginner investor Outsource portfolio management automatically and at a low cost Best robo-advisors
    Beginner investor Gain exposure to multiple assets like stocks, bonds or gold through a single fund Best ETF brokers
    Experienced investor Get an overall idea of providers on the market and what they're best for Best brokerage accounts
    Experienced investor Invest internationally in stocks, ETFs and other assets Best international stock brokers
    Retirement saver of any experience level Save for retirement with upfront tax benefits Best (traditional) IRA
    Retirement saver of any experience level Save for retirement and enjoy tax-free withdrawals Best Roth IRA
    Investor of any experience level Diversify with low-cost index funds Best brokerage accounts for index funds 2024

    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.

Holly Jennings's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
Matt Miczulski's headshot
Written by

Editor, Investments

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. See full bio

Matt's expertise
Matt has written 206 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Trading and investing
  • Broker and trading platform reviews
  • Money management
Tim Falk's headshot
Co-written by

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site