To help you find the best online brokers in 2021, we went ahead and did the research for you. First, we selected 89 quality online brokers, then checked and compared basically every aspect of their offering: fees, available markets and products, trading platforms, deposit and withdrawal options and much much more. To be selected best online broker, service providers had to prove their excellence in multiple areas. We dug deep, so you won't have to.
5 brokers made it to the top in Hong Kong. We highly recommend all 5 to you. And now, without further ado...
The top 5 picks for best international online broker of 2021 for citizens in Hong Kong:
- Interactive Brokers is the best international online broker in 2021. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
- TD Ameritrade takes second place. Low trading fees (free stock and ETF trading). Superb desktop trading platform. Great customer support.
- Saxo Bank rounds out the top three. Great trading platform. Outstanding research. Broad product portfolio.
- TradeStation, numero quattro. Great web and mobile trading platform. Low stock and ETF fees. High-quality educational tools.
- XTB just made it to the list at in fifth place. Low forex fees. Free and fast deposit and withdrawal. Easy and fast account opening.
| Broker | Info | Score | Best in | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Interactive Brokers | US discount broker | 4.8 | Best online broker |
| #2 | TD Ameritrade | US-based stockbroker | 4.8 | |
| #3 | Saxo Bank | Danish investment bank | 4.8 | Best forex broker |
| #4 | TradeStation | US stockbroker | 4.6 | |
| #5 | XTB | Global CFD and forex broker | 4.7 | Best CFD broker |
What makes a good online broker? Surely, they need to provide great service in all areas. First of all, they need to offer fair fees and have a good safety score. Opening an account and depositing money should also be user-friendly processes. They need to provide access to a wide range of products and have a great platform.
These features are easy to list, but hard to figure out. We test brokers based on more than ~300 criteria with real accounts and real money. We know what's up. You can find all the ranking criteria in our methodology.
Not sure which broker to choose? For a tailored recommendation, check out our broker finder tool. If you enter the name of your country it will show only the relevant brokers. Want more details? Compare brokers with our in-depth comparison table.
And now, let's see the best international online brokers in 2021 for citizens in Hong Kong one by one, starting with the winner, Interactive Brokers.
#1 Best international online brokers for citizens in Hong Kong
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 and is one of the biggest US-based discount brokers. The broker is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including top-tier ones like the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
As it has licenses from multiple top-tier regulators, Interactive Brokers is considered safe. Having a long track record and publicly disclosed financials while being listed on a stock exchange are also great signs for its safety.
Recommended for traders looking for low fees and a professional trading environment
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Complicated account opening process |
| • Wide range of products | • Complex desktop trading platform |
| • Many great research tools | • High forex fees |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Fees
Interactive Brokers has low trading fees; for US clients, stock and ETF trading is free. On the negative side, there is a high inactivity fee for non-US clients.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Inactivity fee |
| • Free stock and ETF trading for US clients | |
| • Low margin rates |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | $10.0 | $1.0 | $10.0 |
| UK stock | $8.4 | - | $11.2 | - | $12.0 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.7 | $7.1 | $7.8 | - | $8.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $6.3 | $6.2 | - | $5.8 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $5.0 | $5.7 | - | $5.8 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | $1.4 | - | $1.5 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | $2.0 | - | $1.9 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#1 Interactive Brokers
Account opening
IB's account opening process is fully digital and the required minimum deposit is low. On the negative side, the process is complicated, and account verification takes relatively long.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fully digital | • Not user-friendly |
| • No minimum deposit for most account types | • Confusing messages throughout the process |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 | $10,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1-3 days | >3 days | 1 day | 1 day |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Deposit and withdrawal
Interactive Brokers offers many account base currency options and one free withdrawal per month. The main drawback is that you can only use bank transfer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • Several account base currencies | |
| • First withdrawal each month free |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | No | No |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Markets and products
Through Interactive Brokers, you can access an extremely wide range of markets, and all product types are available.
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Web trading platform
Interactive Brokers's web platform is simple and easy to use, even for beginners.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | None |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.8 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 5.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
#1 Interactive Brokers
Verdict
Interactive Brokers is one of the biggest US-based discount brokers, regulated by several top-tier regulators globally. We recommend this broker mainly for advanced traders.
On the plus side, IB has low fees, a vast range of available markets and products, and diverse research tools.
There are some drawbacks, though: there are high forex fees, and the account opening process is complicated. The desktop platform is complex and hard to get a handle on, especially for beginners.
If you have experience navigating complex platforms and enjoy transparent, low-cost trading, Interactive Brokers could be a great fit for you.
| Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Interactive Brokers is a US discount broker. It is listed on a stock exchange and regulated by several authorities, including top-tier ones like the FCA and the SEC. |
| Fees score | 4.2 stars |
| Recommended for | Traders looking for low fees and a professional trading environment |
#2 Best international online brokers for citizens in Hong Kong
TD Ameritrade
This TD Ameritrade Review concludes that it is recommended for investors and experienced traders looking for solid research and a well-equipped desktop trading platform, the Thinkorswim platform.
It is one of the biggest US-based stockbrokers founded in 1975. As an online broker it is regulated by top-tier authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
It is considered to be a safe broker as it has a long track record, is listed on a stock exchange, has a banking background, discloses its financials, and is overseen by top-tier regulators.
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research and a well-equipped desktop trading platform
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees (free stock and ETF trading) | • You can trade only on US markets |
| • Superb desktop trading platform | • Accounts mostly limited to US residents |
| • Great customer support | • No credit/debit cards and electronic wallets for money transfer |
#2 TD Ameritrade
Fees
TD Ameritrade offers free stock and ETF trading, while forex, bond and options fees are also low. On the other hand, it charges high fees for futures.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • High fund fees |
| • Low non-trading fees | |
| • Free stocks and ETFs |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | $10.0 | $1.0 | $10.0 |
| UK stock | $8.4 | - | $11.2 | - | $12.0 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.7 | $7.1 | $7.8 | - | $8.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $6.3 | $6.2 | - | $5.8 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $5.0 | $5.7 | - | $5.8 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | $1.4 | - | $1.5 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | $2.0 | - | $1.9 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#2 TD Ameritrade
Account opening
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fully digital | None |
| • No minimum deposit | |
| • Many account types |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 | $10,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1-3 days | >3 days | 1 day | 1 day |
#2 TD Ameritrade
Deposit and withdrawal
The account funding is user-friendly with no deposit fees, but USD is the only available base currency, and wire transfers incur a high fee.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Free withdrawal | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • No deposit fee | • Only one account base currency |
| • User-friendly | • High withdrawal fee for wire transfers |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | No | No |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 |
#2 TD Ameritrade
Markets and products
You can trade many asset classes, from stocks to futures and forex, while nice extras include social trading and robo-advisory. On the other hand, only the US market is covered.
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#2 TD Ameritrade
Web trading platform
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • Limited customizability (for charts, workspace) |
| • Two-step (safer) login | |
| • Good variety of order types |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.8 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 5.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
#2 TD Ameritrade
Verdict
It is one of the biggest US online brokers. It charges no commission on stock and ETFs.
Research and education are outstanding, the Thinkorswim desktop platform is one of the best on the market. Customer service is great.
The drawbacks are that it charges high financing (margin) rates, and it doesn't accept credit/debit cards and electronic wallets for money transfers. Furthermore, the product portfolio covers only the US markets.
We definitely recommend giving it a try, especially as their education tools include a demo as well.
| TD Ameritrade | |
|---|---|
| Summary | TD Ameritrade is a US stockbroker regulated by top-tier authorities SEC and FINRA. The company is listed on NASDAQ and has a banking background as part of the TD Group. |
| Fees score | 4.3 stars |
| Recommended for | Investors and traders looking for solid research and a well-equipped desktop trading platform |
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#3 Best international online brokers for citizens in Hong Kong
Saxo Bank
Saxo Bank, a Danish investment bank founded in 1992, provides online trading and investment services. The company is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including the Danish Financial Services Agency (FSA) and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Saxo Bank is a global service provider and its subsidiaries are present in the form of separate legal entities in different regions of the world. The services offered by the various entities may differ slightly, especially with respect to fees and product portfolios. In this review, we tested Saxo Bank UK.
Saxo Bank is considered safe because it has a long track record, a banking background and is regulated by top-tier financial authorities.
Recommended for investors and traders looking for a great trading platform and solid research
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Great trading platform | • High bond, options and futures fees |
| • Outstanding research | • High minimum deposit |
| • Broad product portfolio | • Lacks live chat and 24/7 availability |
#3 Saxo Bank
Fees
Saxo Bank has average trading and non-trading fees overall. Trading fees vary greatly between different asset classes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low forex fees | • Inactivity fee |
| • Low fund fees | • High bond, options and futures fees |
| • No withdrawal fee |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | $10.0 | $1.0 | $10.0 |
| UK stock | $8.4 | - | $11.2 | - | $12.0 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.7 | $7.1 | $7.8 | - | $8.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $6.3 | $6.2 | - | $5.8 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $5.0 | $5.7 | - | $5.8 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | $1.4 | - | $1.5 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | $2.0 | - | $1.9 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#3 Saxo Bank
Account opening
Saxo's account opening is fully digital, user-friendly and available in most countries. On the other hand, the minimum deposit is high in certain countries and account verification can take longer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fully digital | • Minimum deposit is high in certain countries |
| • User-friendly | • Slow account verification |
| • Available in almost every country |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 | $10,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1-3 days | >3 days | 1 day | 1 day |
#3 Saxo Bank
Deposit and withdrawal
Saxo provides multiple deposit and withdrawal options free of charge on a user-friendly interface.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | • Electronic wallets not available for deposit or withdrawal |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | No | No |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 |
#3 Saxo Bank
Markets and products
Saxo Bank's product portfolio covers all asset classes and a lot of markets globally. Mutual funds and crypto are the only areas where the selection could be improved.
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#3 Saxo Bank
Web trading platform
Saxo Bank's web trading platform is one of the best among online brokers. While it's easy to use, the platform also provides features tailored for professionals, such as an advanced order panel.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | None |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.8 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 5.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
#3 Saxo Bank
Verdict
Saxo Bank is a great broker, providing a complex and good service.
It offers a user-friendly and well-designed trading platform, backed by great research. The product portfolio covers all asset types and many international markets.
It has some drawbacks though. The fees for bonds, options and futures are high. There is also a high minimum deposit for certain countries. Lastly, there is no live chat or 24/7 customer support.
In general, Saxo Bank is one of the best online brokerage companies out there. By opening an account, you will get a broad, well-developed service constantly adapted to the needs of clients.
| Saxo Bank | |
|---|---|
| Summary | Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank. It is regulated by more than 10 financial authorities, including the top-tier UK FCA. |
| Fees score | 3.3 stars |
| Recommended for | Investors and traders looking for a great trading platform and solid research |
#4 Best international online brokers for citizens in Hong Kong
TradeStation
TradeStation is a US stockbroker founded in 1982. It is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Clients are eligible for up to $500,000 investor protection per account (including cash up to $250,000).
TradeStation is considered safe because it has a long track record; discloses its financials; and its parent company, the Monex Group, is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Recommended for traders focusing on us markets and buy-and-hold investing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Great web and mobile trading platform | • Not user-friendly deposit and withdrawal |
| • Low stock and ETF fees | • No forex trading |
| • High-quality educational tools | • Mediocre customer service |
#4 TradeStation
Fees
TradeStation has low trading fees, and you can choose from multiple fee structures. On the negative side, withdrawals can be costly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low trading fees | • Withdrawal fee |
| • Low stock and ETF fees / Free stock trading | |
| • Multiple fee structures to choose from |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | $10.0 | $1.0 | $10.0 |
| UK stock | $8.4 | - | $11.2 | - | $12.0 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.7 | $7.1 | $7.8 | - | $8.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $6.3 | $6.2 | - | $5.8 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $5.0 | $5.7 | - | $5.8 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | $1.4 | - | $1.5 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | $2.0 | - | $1.9 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#4 TradeStation
Account opening
TradeStation account opening is fully digital, user-friendly and fast. On the other hand, USD is the only available base currency (except for futures accounts).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fast | • Only USD accounts (unless you trade futures) |
| • Fully digital | |
| • User-friendly |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 | $10,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1-3 days | >3 days | 1 day | 1 day |
#4 TradeStation
Deposit and withdrawal
TradeStation's deposit and withdrawal functions are somewhat limited, as you can use only bank transfer; and the fee for wire transfer withdrawals is high.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • No deposit fee | • Credit/Debit card not available |
| • Deposit and withdrawal in cryptocurrencies | • High fee for wire withdrawal |
| • Only USD accounts (unless you trade futures) |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | No | No |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 |
#4 TradeStation
Markets and products
TradeStation grants access to a wide variety of US products, but its non-US market coverage is poor. Also, forex and CFDs are not available.
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#4 TradeStation
Web trading platform
TradeStation has a nice-looking, user-friendly web trading platform with a safe login process, but it lacks price alerts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No price alerts |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Two-step (safer) login |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.8 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 5.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
#4 TradeStation
Verdict
TradeStation is a great US broker.
The web and mobile platforms are very user-friendly with many functions. It also offers low stock and ETF trading fees. On top of that, TradeStation's education materials are well-structured and high quality.
On the other hand, the deposit and withdrawal functions are not user-friendly as you can only use bank transfers. There is no forex trading, and customer service has room for improvement.
Feel free to try TradeStation if you prefer trading on US markets. We recommend it for buy and hold investors with at least some experience.
| TradeStation | |
|---|---|
| Summary | TradeStation is a US stockbroker regulated by FINRA, a top-tier US regulatory body. |
| Fees score | 4.2 stars |
| Recommended for | Traders focusing on US markets and buy-and-hold investing |
#5 Best international online brokers for citizens in Hong Kong
XTB
XTB is a global CFD and forex broker with headquarters in London and Warsaw, founded in 2002. The company is regulated by several financial authorities worldwide, including the top-tier UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In addition, XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and as such is required to disclose its financials.
XTB is considered safe because it has a long track record, is listed on a stock exchange, and publishes its financial statements transparently.
Disclaimer: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Recommended for forex and cfd traders looking for low fees and great deposit/withdrawal service
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low forex fees | • High fees for stock CFDs |
| • Free and fast deposit and withdrawal | • Product portfolio limited mostly to CFDs and FX |
| • Easy and fast account opening | • Limited fundamental data |
#5 XTB
Fees
XTB has low forex fees and there is no withdrawal fee for most transfers. On the other hand, stock CFD fees are high, and XTB also charges an inactivity fee.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Low forex fees | • High stock CFD fees |
| • Free withdrawal for transfers above $100 |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US stock | $1.0 | $0.0 | $10.0 | $1.0 | $10.0 |
| UK stock | $8.4 | - | $11.2 | - | $12.0 |
| EURUSD benchmark fee | $10.7 | $7.1 | $7.8 | - | $8.5 |
| AUDUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $6.3 | $6.2 | - | $5.8 |
| GBPUSD benchmark fee | $8.6 | $5.0 | $5.7 | - | $5.8 |
| S&P 500 index CFD fee | $2.8 | - | $1.4 | - | $1.5 |
| Europe 50 index CFD fee | $3.1 | - | $2.0 | - | $1.9 |
The above calculation includes all spreads, commissions and financing rates (if applicable) for opening a position, holding it for a week, and closing it.
#5 XTB
Account opening
XTB's account opening process is hassle-free, straightforward and fully digital. Your account will be ready for trading on the same day.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Fast | None |
| • Fully digital | |
| • No minimum deposit |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 | $10,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Time to open account | 1-3 days | 1-3 days | >3 days | 1 day | 1 day |
#5 XTB
Deposit and withdrawal
XTB deposits and withdrawals are fast, mostly free, and can be done via several channels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Credit/Debit card available | • Few minor account currencies accepted |
| • Free withdrawal | |
| • No deposit fee |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/debit card | No | No | No | No | No |
| Electronic wallets | No | No | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 |
#5 XTB
Markets and products
XTB's default selection includes only CFDs, forex and crypto. Some European clients can also trade real stocks and ETFs. Popular assets like bonds, mutual funds, options or futures are not available.
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Fund | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bond | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CFD | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
#5 XTB
Web trading platform
XTB's xStation 5 platform is user-friendly, can be customized and has a good search function. On the other hand, two-step login is not available.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • User-friendly | • No two-step (safer) login |
| • Clear fee report | |
| • Good search function |
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.8 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Desktop platform score | 3.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 5.0 stars | 2.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
#5 XTB
Verdict
XTB is a great CFD and forex broker. It is regulated by several financial authorities globally, including the UK's FCA. The company is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
On the plus side, its forex fees are low, and the deposit and withdrawal process is fast and mostly free. We also liked the seamless and hassle-free account opening process.
XTB has some drawbacks, though. Stock CFD fees are high. The product range is mainly limited to FX and CFDs, although real stock and ETF trading is available in some European countries. Fundamental data offered by XTB covers only a few basics such as P/E.
We recommend XTB for clients who prefer forex or CFD trading, and also want to enjoy great deposit and withdrawal options along with fast account opening. Feel free to test it using a demo account.
| XTB | |
|---|---|
| Summary | XTB is a global CFD and forex broker, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and regulated by financial authorities including the UK FCA, Poland's KNF, and Cyprus's CySec. |
| Fees score | 3.8 stars |
| Recommended for | Forex and CFD traders looking for low fees and great deposit/withdrawal service |
Best international online brokers for citizens in Hong Kong
What makes a good online broker
Now that you know the top 5, you are probably curious how we came up with this list. Let's go through a few points quickly. What is an online broker? Why do we think these brokers are safe? What are the most important factors when selecting the best online brokers?
What is an online broker?
Thirty years ago, if you wanted to buy a stock, you had to pick up the phone and call your broker, who executed the transaction in return for a commission. Brokers were like characters in the movie 'Wolf of Wall Street'. They were constantly monitoring stock prices while holding the phone and shouting. The Internet changed all that. Nowadays, if you want to invest in Apple shares, you open an online account, deposit money, and set up an order on the brokers' online platform. These platforms are the online brokers. Online brokers help you buy and sell securities like stocks and ETFs. After creating your order, the online broker executes it immediately. It all takes place online.
Are these brokers safe?
We consider each broker on our list safe. You can be sure none of them is a scam. All the brokers featured on BrokerChooser are regulated by at least one authority.
However, brokerage companies can still go bust. Remember the collapse of Lehman Brothers? In such cases, it is important to know what happens with your securities and cash. Your funds are usually held in segregated accounts, so even if your broker goes bankrupt, your funds are safe.
If all goes wrong, and for example, the broker steals your assets, then you have a last resort: the compensation fund of the country where the broker is regulated.
How did BrokerChooser pick the best online brokers?
At BrokerChooser, we test online brokers based on more than ~300 criteria, with real accounts and real money. We don\'t want to overwhelm you, so we will list the five most important criteria.
| 1. Fees | The trading fees of a typical US equity trade can be 50 times higher at one online broker compared to another. It's definitely worth checking these fees. |
| 2. Account opening | Some online brokers require a minimum deposint to start investing while others don't ask for a fix first-time deposit. Check these reuirements at the best online brokers. |
| 3. Deposit and withdrawal | At some online brokers, funding and withdrawing funds can take 5 times longer and be much more expensive than at others. |
| 5. Trading platform | A user-friendly and well-equipped trading platform can significantly increase your trading comfort. |
| 4. Markets and products | You want to invest in Amazon or trade Bitcoin? They might not be available. Check the product lineup before opening an account. |
Best international online brokers for citizens in Hong Kong
Bottom line
These were the details, now let's zoom out. Here are the best international online brokers of 2021 for citizens in Hong Kong:
| Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | Saxo Bank | TradeStation | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Best in | Best online broker | Best forex broker | Best CFD broker | ||
| Fees score | 4.2 stars | 4.3 stars | 3.3 stars | 4.2 stars | 3.8 stars |
| Account opening score | 3.4 stars | 3.6 stars | 2.5 stars | 5.0 stars | 5.0 stars |
| Deposit and withdrawal score | 3.5 stars | 2.2 stars | 4.8 stars | 2.3 stars | 4.5 stars |
| Markets and products score | 5.0 stars | 4.0 stars | 5.0 stars | 2.8 stars | 2.8 stars |
| Web platform score | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.5 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Mobile platform score | 3.8 stars | 4.8 stars | 5.0 stars | 4.8 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Visit broker | Visit broker | Visit broker | Visit broker |
Visit broker
77% of retail CFD accounts lose money |
Interactive Brokers is our winner, the best international online broker in Hong Kong for 2021. Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
All of these brokers are considered safe and a great choice. Pick the winner, or any of the runners-up, and take the next step in your investment journey. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Still unsure? For a tailored recommendation, check out our broker finder tool. If you enter the name of your country it will show only the relevant brokers. Want more details? Compare brokers with the help of our in-depth comparison table.
