Best international online brokers in the United States in 2023

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.

Popularity of the best online brokers in the United States

Interested in what others think? Here's how many of our users chose these best online brokers over the last 6 months.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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 2023 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

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Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research and a well-equipped desktop trading platform

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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

Recommended for investors and traders looking for low fees, quick account opening and simple platforms

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Recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research, low fees and great customer service

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Which are the best brokers in the US?

The top brokers in the US in 2023 are:

1. Interactive Brokers - Low trading fees. Wide range of products. Many great research tools.
2. TD Ameritrade - Low trading fees (free stock and ETF trading). Superb desktop trading platform. Great customer support.
3. eToro - Free stock and ETF trading. Seamless account opening. Social trading.
4. Merrill Edge - Low trading fees. Easy and seamless account opening. Strong parent company.
5. Charles Schwab - Free stock and ETF trading. Outstanding research. Great customer service.

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.