Intro and winners
Find below the strengths of the best brokers available in the United States, updated for 2024:
- Interactive Brokers is the best international online brokers in the United States in 2024. - Low trading fees and high interest on cash balances. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
- eToro - Free stock and ETF trading. Seamless account opening. Social trading.
- Fidelity - Commission-free US stocks and ETFs. Great trading platforms and research. US and international stocks.
- Charles Schwab - Free stock and ETF trading. Outstanding research. Great customer service.
- Merrill Edge - Low trading fees. Easy and seamless account opening. Strong parent company.
- moomoo - Commission-free stock and ETF trading. Fast and easy account opening. Quality analytical tools and excellent education services. Pays high interest on uninvested cash.
- Ally Invest - Low trading and non-trading fees. Easy and fully digital account opening. Great education.
- Oanda - Great trading platforms. Outstanding research tools. Fast and user-friendly account opening.
- Webull - Free stock/ETF trading and high 5% interest on uninvested cash. Fast and easy account opening. Great trading platforms.
- NinjaTrader - Low trading fees. Great platform and research. Quality educational materials.
- Intro and winners
- International online brokers key info
- Fee comparison at the best online brokers in the US
- Other fees at international online brokers
- Financial market regulation and safety in the US
- Taxation of trading in the US
- Our assessment of best international online brokers
- Interactive Brokers
- eToro
- Fidelity
- Charles Schwab
- Merrill Edge
- moomoo
- Ally Invest
- Oanda
- Webull
- NinjaTrader
- Didn't find the best broker for you?
- How did we select the best international online brokers in the United States in 2024?
- FAQ
International online brokers key info
While many international online trading brokers catering to US clients offer an excellent service, the ones in our top list go the extra mile. These international online trading platforms offer a broad range of markets and asset classes and are suitable for beginners and experienced traders alike.
Broker | Overall score | Minimum deposit |
---|---|---|
Interactive Brokers | 4.9 /5 | $0 |
eToro | 4.8 /5 | $10 |
Fidelity | 4.7 /5 | $0 |
Charles Schwab | 4.6 /5 | $0 |
Merrill Edge | 4.6 /5 | $0 |
moomoo | 4.6 /5 | $0 |
Ally Invest | 4.5 /5 | $0 |
Oanda | 4.5 /5 | $0 |
Webull | 4.6 /5 | $0 |
NinjaTrader | 4.5 /5 | $0 |
Popularity of the best online brokers in the United States
Interested in what others think? Here's how many people chose these brokers at BrokerChooser in the last 6 months.
Fee comparison at the best online brokers in the US
In most cases, the key broker selection criteria is how much you have to pay for a trade in spreads, commission and other trading costs, so we collected the most important fees for you in the table below.
Broker | US stock | US stock index options |
---|---|---|
Interactive Brokers | $1.0 | $6.5 |
eToro | $0.0 | - |
Fidelity | $0.0 | $6.5 |
Charles Schwab | $0.0 | $6.5 |
Merrill Edge | $0.0 | $6.5 |
moomoo | $0.0 | $5.0 |
Ally Invest | $0.0 | $5.0 |
Oanda | $0.0 | - |
Webull | $0.0 | $5.5 |
NinjaTrader | - | - |
Other fees at international online brokers
Non-trading fees are charges not directly related to a given trade and typically include the account maintenance fee, deposit/withdrawal fees, and the inactivity fee.
Broker | Account fee | Inactivity fee |
---|---|---|
Interactive Brokers | ||
eToro | ||
Fidelity | ||
Charles Schwab | ||
Merrill Edge | ||
moomoo | ||
Ally Invest | ||
Oanda | ||
Webull | ||
NinjaTrader |
Financial market regulation and safety in the US
The US financial markets are heavily regulated and among the safest in the world. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is the principal law that regulates brokers in the United States. The Exchange Act governs all transactions carried out in securities markets and regulates persons who engage in such transactions.
The US financial markets are regulated by a number of government agencies and organizations, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Federal Reserve (Fed). The SEC is a national government regulatory agency charged with supervising the securities markets and financial services industry.
The mission of the SEC is to protect investors and maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets. FINRA, which works under the supervision of the SEC, regulates broker-dealers, capital acquisition brokers, and funding portals. FINRA writes and enforces rules, examines firms for compliance with those rules, fosters market transparency and educates investors.
The US is home to the largest stock exchange in the world, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The Nasdaq Exchange (NASDAQ) is the second-largest bourse in the US and it focuses on tech-based companies. Other major US stock exchanges include the Chicago Board of Trade (CBT), the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB), and Pink Sheets.
Taxation of trading in the US
Any gains made from investments are subject to taxes in the US. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the nation's tax authority, makes a distinction between short-term investments (held for less than one year) and long-term investments (held for more than one year).
Income from short-term investments is taxed at the ordinary income tax rate, while profit from long-term investments is taxed at the long-term capital gains tax rate. The rates of the long-term capital gains tax are 0%, 15% or 20%, depending on the amount of your annual taxable income (the more money you make, the higher the tax rate). Dividends that qualify under IRS rules as taxable income are also subject to taxation.
Our assessment of best international online brokers
At BrokerChooser we do our best to make it easier for you to compare and select the best broker for your needs. Here is a summary of our scores in the most important aspects of these trading platforms' services.
Broker | Overall score | Fees score |
---|---|---|
Interactive Brokers | 4.9 /5 | 4.3 /5 |
eToro | 4.8 /5 | 4.0 /5 |
Fidelity | 4.7 /5 | 3.5 /5 |
Charles Schwab | 4.6 /5 | 3.9 /5 |
Merrill Edge | 4.6 /5 | 4.2 /5 |
moomoo | 4.6 /5 | 4.8 /5 |
Ally Invest | 4.5 /5 | 4.3 /5 |
Oanda | 4.5 /5 | 4.1 /5 |
Webull | 4.6 /5 | 4.6 /5 |
NinjaTrader | 4.5 /5 | 4.3 /5 |
If you are unsure how brokerage fees are charged, check out this article on the various fees, charges and costs.
And now, let's see the top international online brokers for 2024 for residents in the United States in detail one by one, starting with the winner, Interactive Brokers.
Recommended for traders looking for broad market access and a professional trading environment
Interactive Brokers snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1-3 days |
Inactivity fee | No |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of Interactive Brokers services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for traders interested in social trading (i.e. copying other investors’ trades) and zero-commission stock trading
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eToro USA LLC; Investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal
eToro snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $10 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, eToro Money, Neteller, Skrill, Trustly, iDEAL, Przelewy 24, RapidTransfer, Klarna, Giropay |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, eToro Money, Neteller, Skrill, Trustly, iDEAL, Przelewy 24, RapidTransfer, Klarna, Giropay |
Withdrawal fee | $5 |
Time to open account | 1 day |
Inactivity fee | Yes |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of eToro services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research and great trading platforms
Fidelity snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1-3 days |
Inactivity fee | No |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of Fidelity services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research, low fees and great customer service
Charles Schwab snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1 day |
Inactivity fee | No |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of Charles Schwab services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees, quick account opening and simple platforms
Merrill Edge snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1 day |
Inactivity fee | No |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of Merrill Edge services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for investors and traders looking for zero-commission trading and focusing on US markets
moomoo snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1-3 days |
Inactivity fee | No |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of moomoo services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees and focusing on the US market
Ally Invest snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1-3 days |
Inactivity fee | No |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of Ally Invest services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for forex traders who value a user-friendly platform and great research tools
Visit broker
78.3% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Oanda snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer, Credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1-3 days |
Inactivity fee | Yes |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of Oanda services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for investors and traders looking for zero-commission trading and easy platforms
Webull snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | 1 day |
Inactivity fee | No |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of Webull services, check out our review for 2024 |
Recommended for active traders focusing on futures
NinjaTrader snapshot | |
---|---|
Minimum deposit | $0 |
Fees class | Low |
Deposit method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal method | Bank transfer |
Withdrawal fee | $0 |
Time to open account | >3 days |
Inactivity fee | Yes |
Read review | For a detailed analysis of NinjaTrader services, check out our review for 2024 |
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How did we select the best international online brokers in the United States in 2024?
- We checked whether the broker is regulated by a trusted regulator,
- Compared fees (including spreads, withdrawal fees, commissions),
- We checked and compared every aspect of their services,
- Opened an account and tested the platform (charting, features, usability) with real money.
Our expert team has done all the work for you, and reviewed brokers based on BrokerChooser's unique methodology.
FAQ
Which are the best brokers in the US?
The top brokers in the US in 2024 are:
- Interactive Brokers - Low trading fees and high interest on cash balances. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
- eToro - Free stock and ETF trading. Seamless account opening. Social trading.
- Fidelity - Commission-free US stocks and ETFs. Great trading platforms and research. US and international stocks.
- Charles Schwab - Free stock and ETF trading. Outstanding research. Great customer service.
- Merrill Edge - Low trading fees. Easy and seamless account opening. Strong parent company.
- moomoo - Commission-free stock and ETF trading. Fast and easy account opening. Quality analytical tools and excellent education services. Pays high interest on uninvested cash.
- Ally Invest - Low trading and non-trading fees. Easy and fully digital account opening. Great education.
- Oanda - Great trading platforms. Outstanding research tools. Fast and user-friendly account opening.
- Webull - Free stock/ETF trading and high 5% interest on uninvested cash. Fast and easy account opening. Great trading platforms.
- NinjaTrader - Low trading fees. Great platform and research. Quality educational materials.
Who is the largest broker in the US?
Vanguard is the largest brokerage firm in the United States, with $8.1 trillion in assets under management.
Can foreigners open a US brokerage account?
Yes, foreign individuals can open a US brokerage account. There are no specific legal provisions that forbid individuals who are not citizens of the US from participating in the US stock market or from having a brokerage account. Not all US brokers accept clients from outside the US.