5 best international stock brokers to invest in foreign assets

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

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

Best overall

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.

— 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.