For investors who want to participate in the Hong Kong stock market, choosing the right brokerage firm is a critical first step. A capable broker provides access to trading, tools and support tailored to your investment goals and experience level.
Whether you prioritize low-cost trading, a user-friendly interface or a platform tailored to beginners, this guide will offer insights to help you navigate your options.
Quick Look at the Best Stockbrokers in Hong Kong
How We Chose the Best Stockbrokers in Hong Kong
We chose platforms based on their cost for trading asset classes available in Hong Kong, platform usability and account minimums. Key criteria were the quality and availability of customer service. We also considered the presence and quality of educational content and support for new and experienced brokers in making decisions.
5 Best Stockbrokers in Hong Kong
Interactive Brokers – Best for Global Market Access
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is known for low fees and access to over 120 markets worldwide. While its professional-grade trading platform caters to sophisticated users, its competitive pricing, including low commissions on Hong Kong stocks, makes it an attractive option for cost-conscious investors looking for broad international exposure.
Key Features:
- Fees: Offers low and tiered commissions, such as about HKD$18 per Hong Kong stock trade. IBKR is known for providing some of the lowest trading costs available in a range of global markets. However, a minimum initial deposit of US$10,000 is required for Hong Kong accounts.
- Investment Access: Provides access to more than 120 markets worldwide, enabling the trading of domestic Hong Kong stocks as well as U.S., European and other international stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, futures, forex, bonds and funds from a single account.
- Platform Experience: Offers professional-grade platforms, including the feature-rich Trader Workstation for advanced traders as well as a more user-friendly Client Portal accessible via web and mobile for simplified trading.
- Tools/Education Highlights: IBKR provides educational resources, including the Traders’ Academy, webinars, tutorials and research tools to support informed investment decisions.
- Drawbacks: The initial minimum deposit for Hong Kong accounts is about US$10,000, which may be a barrier to some investors. The professional Trader Workstation platform can have a steep learning curve for beginners.
Who It’s Best For: Experienced and cost-conscious investors in Hong Kong who want access to a range of global markets and low trading fees.
Futu Securities (moomoo) – Best for Mobile-First Trading with Social Features
Futu Securities, with its popular moomoo app, offers competitive pricing, including zero commission on Hong Kong stock trades and a user-friendly, mobile-first trading platform. Its integration of social community features and a range of market access makes it a compelling choice for tech-savvy investors in Hong Kong.
Key Features:
- Fees: Offers HK$0 commission on Hong Kong stock trades and a minimum US$0.99 per order in U.S. stock fees. The moomoo app sometimes offers commission-free promotions for stocks and ETFs. Currency conversion fees are about 0.5% to 1%.
- Investment Access: Provides access to a range of markets, including Hong Kong stocks, ETFs and warrants as well as U.S. stock and ETFs, China A-shares and the Singapore and Japanese markets. Options and futures trading are also available.
- Platform Experience: The moomoo app offers an intuitive, mobile-first experience. It integrates social community features for investors to share ideas and insights.
- Tools/Education Highlights: The moomoo offers market news, advanced charting tools and a learning community. Futu also provides tutorials and analyst insights to support investor education.
- Drawbacks: Currency conversion fees can add to trading costs when dealing with non-HKD-denominated assets. Investors who prefer desktop trading may not appreciate the emphasis on a mobile-first experience.
Who It’s Best For: Tech-savvy investors in Hong Kong who prioritize mobile-first trading, appreciate social community features and seek competitive commission rates with access to a range of Asian and U.S. markets.
Tiger Brokers – Best for Zero-Commssion Trading and Low Fees
Tiger Brokers offers zero-commission trading for Hong Kong stocks and low fees for U.S. stocks, coupled with a sophisticated but user-friendly trading platform. Its cost-effective currency exchange and broad market access are attractive to Hong Kong investors.
Key Features:
- Fees: Zero-commission trading for Hong Kong stocks and fees as low as US$0.01 per share for U.S. stocks. Currency exchange is cost-effective and Tiger often waives some fees for new users.
- Investment Access: Offers multimarket access, including Hong Kong and U.S. stocks and ETFs, China A-shares and access to the Singapore and Australia markets. It also provides access to U.S. options, futures and fractional shares.
- Platform Experience: The platform, available on mobile and desktop, is advanced but user-friendly, featuring real-time quotes and a customizable interface. Its trade execution is fast and includes free Level 2 market data on U.S. stocks.
- Tools/Education Highlights: Provides investor resources such as market webinars and an in-app community. It also offers trading tutorials for new users to help them navigate the platform and markets.
- Drawbacks: Fees for certain markets or advanced instruments should be reviewed carefully. The platform has many features that might be overwhelming for beginning traders.
Who It’s Best For: Cost-conscious investors in Hong Kong who want zero-commission trading on local stocks and a feature-rich but accessible trading platform with broad international market access.
Charles Schwab (Hong Kong) – Best for U.S. Trading
Charles Schwab (Hong Kong) provides access to both local and international markets, with an emphasis on U.S. trading and a wealth of educational resources. The account minimum is significant for Hong Kong residents, but its robust platform and customer support make it a solid choice for global investors.
Key Features:
- Fees: Offers $0 commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs. Competitive fees apply to international markets, with Hong Kong-listed stocks traded via the global account. A minimum $10,000 investment is required.
- Investment Access: Provides access to Hong Kong stocks, U.S. stocks, American Depository Receipts (ADRs), mutual funds and bonds through a single global investing account for Hong Kong clients.
- Platform Experience: Features the StreetSmart Edge trading platform and a mobile app. Offers streaming quotes, comprehensive research and integrated functionality for both U.S. and international trading.
- Tools/Education Highlights: Schwab’s educational content includes articles, videos and workshops, making it an excellent resource for both beginner and experienced investors who want to learn about global investing.
- Drawbacks: The hefty US$10,000 account minimum for Hong Kong clients may be a significant barrier for many investors.
Who It’s Best For: Hong Kong-based investors with substantial initial investment capital who prioritize commission-free U.S. trading, a robust platform with integrated global access and extensive educational resources for learning about international markets.
Saxo Markets (Hong Kong) – Best for Multiasset Access
Saxo Markets in Hong Kong is a full-service broker known for competitive rates – particularly low commissions on stocks – and an advanced yet user-friendly trading platform. With access to a range of global instruments and strong regulatory oversight, it caters to experienced retail traders.
Key Features:
- Fees: Offers competitive commission rates on stocks, starting at around 0.1% for Hong Kong shares and a transparent fee structure. Forex trading spreads and margin rates are tight because of Saxo’s global presence. Multiple account tiers are available at varying fee structures.
- Investment Access: Provides access to more than 70,000 instruments, including Hong Kong and global stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex commodities, bonds and mutual funds.
- Platform Experience: The award-winning SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO offer an advanced and customizable interface with charting tools and a unified experience across web and mobile devices. The platforms are user-friendly for retail traders despite their rich functionality.
- Tools/Education Highlights: Offers an extensive research and education section with market research, webinars and trading inspiration. News feeds and an economic calendar are integrated to support informed trading decisions.
- Drawbacks: The Classic account has no minimum, but higher-tier accounts with lower fees may require larger funding amounts. The volume of features on the platforms may be overwhelming to beginners.
Who It’s Best For: Experienced retail traders in Hong Kong who want a sophisticated trading platform with access to global markets and competitive pricing.
Choosing the Right Stockbroker in Hong Kong
Choosing the right broker is a decision that can significantly impact your investment success.
Interactive Brokers excels in providing low fees and global market access. Futu Securities stands out with its innovative mobile-first moomoo platform and social trading features. Tiger Brokers offers zero-commission trading on local stocks and low U.S. fees. Charles Schwab (Hong Kong) is a good choice for investors prioritizing U.S. trading and educational resources, provided they meet the account minimum. Saxo Markets offers a sophisticated platform with multiasset access.
The best broker choice depends on your investment objectives. Consider whether your priority is international diversification, speculating on global markets or investing in China equities. By aligning your investing goals with the strengths of each broker, you can choose the partner best suited to help you achieve your financial goals.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Stockbroker in Hong Kong
Trading Costs and Fee Structures: Hong Kong investors should evaluate brokers based on commission models, spread structures and currency conversion fees. While platforms like Tiger Brokers and Futu Securities offer zero-commission trading on local stocks, international trades may still involve fees. Always consider spreads, inactivity fees or tiered commissions, especially for frequent traders or those with cross-border investment goals.
Global Market Access: Not all brokers offer the same breadth of access. Interactive Brokers and Saxo Markets allow you to trade thousands of instruments across over 70 countries, while moomoo and Tiger Brokers focus more on Hong Kong, China and the U.S. Ensure the broker supports the specific markets and instruments (e.g., ETFs, bonds, futures) you want to trade.
Account Minimums and Accessibility: High account minimums can be a hurdle, especially for new investors. Platforms like Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers have $10,000 USD minimums for Hong Kong residents. On the other hand, Futu and Tiger Brokers are more beginner-friendly with low or no minimum funding requirements. Choose a broker that aligns with your budget and goals.
Platform Interface and Usability: A trading platform should match your experience level. While moomoo’s mobile-first interface appeals to younger investors, SaxoTraderPRO and Trader Workstation cater to experienced traders with advanced tools and customization. Evaluate whether the user experience, charting tools and execution speeds suit your needs.
Educational Content and Research Tools: For new investors, access to research and learning materials is vital. Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers stand out for their structured learning centers, while Saxo and moomoo also offer integrated news, webinars and tutorials. Prioritize platforms that support continuous education and informed decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, brokers like Interactive Brokers, Saxo Markets, Tiger Brokers and Charles Schwab allow Hong Kong investors to access U.S., European and other global markets from a single account.
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Tiger Brokers and moomoo (Futu Securities) both offer zero-commission trading for Hong Kong stocks and competitive pricing for international markets.
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It depends on the broker. Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab require minimum deposits of $10,000 USD for Hong Kong accounts, while moomoo, Tiger Brokers and Saxo’s Classic account have much lower or no minimums.
