Interactive Brokers offers the best platforms for international trading
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Updated March 31, 2023
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Dale Brauner
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Fact checked byDale Brauner
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Dale Brauner is a fact-checker, researcher, and editor.
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Selecting the best brokers for international trading ultimately comes down to who has the most products in the most markets, but we also judge the best international trading platforms in terms of their quality and tools. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) emerges once again as the overall winner for the best online broker for international trading and the best online broker for non-U.S. investors, categories it has dominated for years now. Fidelity rounds out the list with the best international trading platform for beginners. International investors will find each of these platforms covers the international exchange traded funds (ETFs) and American depositary receipts (ADRs) universes along with direct access to assets in markets around the world.
Best Brokers for International Trading of 2023
- Best Online Broker for International Trading: Interactive Brokers
- Best Online Broker for Non-U.S. Investors: Interactive Brokers
- Best International Trading Platform for Beginners: Fidelity
Interactive Brokers: Best Online Broker for International Trading & Best Online Broker for Non-U.S. Investors
4.2
- Account Minimum: $0.00
- Fees:$0.00 commissions for equities/ETFs available on IBKR’s TWS Lite, or low costs scaled by volume for active traders that want access to advanced functionality such as order routing.$0.65 per contract for options on TWS Lite; that is also the base rate for TWS Pro users, with scaled rates based on volume. $0.85 per contract for futures.
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Interactive Brokers: Best Online Broker for International Trading
Why We Chose It
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is hands down our top choice for the Best Online Broker for International Trading. International traders have access to all the usual ADRs, global mutual funds, and ETFs at IBKR. The real edge to Interactive Brokers is that it opens up international trading opportunities in 150 markets across 33 countries, using 26 currencies. Within these markets, you have access to stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, and mutual funds across the globe, and IBKR provides you with the trading tools and analysis to make the most of them.
Pros
Unparalleled list of assets spanning the global market
Can compare prices and financial data for global stocks in your chosen currency
GlobalAnalyst enables screening by region, country, industry, market cap, and currency
Trader Workstation (TWS) is a powerful tool with a high level of customization
Cons
Steep learning curve to the assets and tools available
Can be intimidating for new traders
Confusing tiered pricing and fees
Overview
Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 by its chairman, Thomas Peterffy. The company is by far the best international broker available and provides trade execution and custody of securities, commodities, and financial assets through U.S. and foreign exchanges 24 hours per day, seven days a week. IBKR provides trading in 150 markets in 26 currencies and its fees are tiered and among the most competitive.
New innovations at IBKR include a market rate interest paid on uninvested cash, the IBKR GlobalTrader mobile app, and the addition of fractional shares trading for European shares and ETFs, adding to the existing capabilities for U.S. products. In a nod to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, investors can offset their carbon footprint with the new IMPACT app. Current and new international traders will welcome the TWS innovations including a worldwide news feed and additional support for the Australian Security Exchange (ASX) futures products.
International traders can access financial markets and all assets on the desktop, web, and mobile versions including both the IBKR mobile and the IBKR GlobalTrader mobile app. TWS stands up among the best platforms, with features suitable for beginners through professional traders. TWS is replete with technical analysis tools, Social Sentiment by Social Market Analytics, ESG scores, and extensive research tools.
The IBKR GlobalTrader mobile app is the shining star for investors seeking the best international trading platform. International investors can screen by region, country, industry, market cap, and currency. The results provide price, financial metrics, and ratios. The real-time international news feed rounds out the features for global traders. For newer investors, the app supports fractional shares trading with no minimum as well as cryptocurrency trading.
The range of offerings and order types is among the broadest of any broker in the industry. Available assets at IBKR include stocks, penny stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, fixed income, options, futures and futures options, forex, and cryptocurrency. On both the client portal and mobile app, clients can input over 100 order types and algos on the TWS.
The IBKR Mobile and the IBKR GlobalTrader are satisfactory for a quick trade or account check. For deep research, analysis, complex orders, and trades, the TWS or desktop portals are best-in-class.
Interactive Brokers: Best Online Broker for Non-U.S. Investors
Why We Chose It
IBKR accepts clients from more than 220 countries and territories, with offices in the U.S., Switzerland, Canada, Hong Kong, U.K., Australia, Hungary, Russia, Japan, India, China, Luxembourg, Estonia, Singapore, and Ireland. IBKR is the best broker for international citizens to trade in the U.S. and globally, with the broadest list of markets and products out of all the brokers we reviewed.
Pros
Can fund accounts in multiple base currencies
Direct platform support for non-native currency conversions
Accepts customers from over 200 countries and territories
New GlobalTrader App puts international trading features at your fingertips
Cons
Fee-based commissions are cumbersome
Website and TWS platform can be intimidating to less active traders
Mobile app lacks complete set of features and services
Overview
Interactive Brokers provides worldwide access, allowing you to fund your account in your domestic currency and then convert at market rates to trade outside your domestic market. The Trade Worldwide news feed keeps you up to date on happenings around the globe. The offerings for international traders continue to expand and now feature international futures products including Eurodollar packs, Canada bond futures, UAE spot currencies, Hong Kong government green bonds, and more. Here again, it is hard to see any of the current brokers catching up with Interactive Brokers any time soon simply because the gap is so large.
International clients can access all of the features available to their U.S. counterparts, including the new Traders' Insight podcast, which interviews a wide range of experts on a variety of investment topics. This is a great addition for international traders who want to learn on the go. The IBKR GlobalTrader app also gives you access to more than 90 international markets, including the LSE, HKS, NYSE, and NASDAQ. With the mobile portfolio analysis tools and educational resources, you can learn and trade from your mobile device. IBKR GlobalTrader also has a neat swap feature where you can quickly switch positions in the same overall dollar amount by tapping the asset you want to sell and the one you want to buy.
International investors with less cash can start small with fractional shares trading for U.S. and European stocks. The paper trading account allows new investors to practice before committing their resources. The experienced customer service licensed brokers can guide international clients with stock, fund, bond, and options investing including guidance for simple to complex trades and assistance in using the platform. The fees are clearly spelled out for international trading, but be prepared as the trading fees vary per country.
Fidelity: Best International Trading Platform for Beginners
4.8
- Account Minimum: $0
- Fees: $0 for stock/ETF trades, $0 plus $0.65/contract for options trade
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Get $100 when you open a new, eligible Fidelity account with $50 or more. Use code FIDELITY100. Limited time offer. Terms apply.Offer Disclosure.
Why We Chose It
Investors who want a basic international trading platform might consider Fidelity International trading with access to most of the major international investment markets and currencies. Fidelity’s international research resources and screeners also simplify finding companies that suit your criteria. You’ll have access to the complete list of Fidelity assets, including mutual funds, stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, fractional shares, IPOs, and warrants along with low costs and excellent educational resources.
Pros
Trade domestic and international markets through one account
Dedicated international trading specialists available
Real-time global market data and news
Superb international research resources
Cons
Retirement accounts restrict international trading
No Asia-Pacific markets available beyond Singapore and Hong Kong
No investments in South and Central America except Mexico
Only African market is South Africa
Overview
Privately owned Fidelity Investments was founded in 1946 by Edward C. Johnson 2d and is family-run by granddaughter Abigail Johnson as of 2023. The company fulfills its mission of innovating to best serve its customers in an evolving world of investing. Fidelity is a comprehensive investment firm along the lines of Schwab, Vanguard, E*TRADE, and Merrill Lynch.
Fidelity launched ETFs with access to the crypto and metaverse industries in April 2022. The company also created four new ESG funds, capitalizing on the trend to support sustainable businesses. Its fee-free index mutual funds are strong competitors with comparable low-fee, passively managed ETFs.
Beginner investors who want to tap international markets might find the Fidelity international stock trading services easier to navigate than those at IBKR. Investors can trade both domestic and international stocks in one brokerage account. Fidelity international trading is suitable for those who want to go beyond ADRs, global U.S. stocks, and international funds. International investors will find the opportunity to trade in 25 countries. You can settle your trade in either U.S. dollars or the local currency.
The 25 international markets include Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, South Africa, and many European countries. Fidelity is known for its extensive research resources, and the international markets research is no exception. The platform offers global news, screeners, and research, categorized by geographic region.
The preset online or rep-assisted trading fees are clearly stated and listed in the local market currency. For example, you’ll pay $32 AUD to trade in Australia, which is roughly $22 USD. The $250 Hong Dollar HKD fee translates to about $32 USD. Additional costs also apply, including currency exchange fees.
The Fidelity mobile app is well-regarded, with most basic features available on your phone or tablet. That said, the stock research function sends you back to the website. If you’re looking for excellent research, reasonable pricing, foreign trading specialists, and access to the most popular international markets, then Fidelity’s International Trading services are worth consideration.
Final Verdict
Investors who want to invest directly in international markets will be best served by Interactive Brokers in almost every situation. For investors outside the U.S., Interactive Brokers is the obvious choice as there is no real comparable alternative. There aren’t any runners-up to this race as Interactive Brokers has the market tied up for intermediate and advanced International investors with its incredible depth and reach. IBKR caters to those who want access to a wide range of international assets and markets and continually upgrades the tools and resources those investors need. The plentiful products, features, and services can be both a blessing and a curse, however, as they make Interactive Brokers a bit tricky to navigate.
This, of course, is where Fidelity comes in for less experienced U.S. investors. Beginners will like the streamlined international trading experience at Fidelity. Fidelity offers fewer assets for international trading, but overall the platform is comprehensive enough for most investors. Fidelity presents extensive free research for clients, while IBKR has both free and paid tiers for its research offerings. It is worth noting that the IBKR GlobalTrader app is a notch above Fidelity’s app when it comes to empowering mobile international investors.
Ultimately, investors are well-served at Interactive Brokers and Fidelity. Fidelity can give U.S. investors a taste of international markets in an easy-to-digest format, while Interactive Brokers gives you the whole global buffet and the full array of tools to make the most of it. Which one you choose depends on your particular appetite.
What Is an International Broker?
An international broker is a brokerage firm that offers U.S. and/or international investors the ability to buy and sell stocks across the globe. To qualify as an international broker for our review, a brokerage firm must be U.S.-based and U.S.-regulated.
Although most investment brokers provide access to global stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, serious investors who want to trade on international exchanges need to go through an international broker.
Why Do People Invest Internationally?
Two of the key reasons individual investors usually want to invest in international investments (or investments that offer international exposure) are diversification and the potential for growth, particularly in emerging markets. International exposure has become easier with the variety of exchange-traded funds that cover specific countries, geographic regions, or even sectors spanning multiple regions.
For some investors, however, general exposure is not as profitable as targeting specific stocks only sold in their domestic markets. General exposure to the Japanese market, for example, may be too general if an investor is really looking to target Japanese advanced materials companies. Similarly, a global oil fund washes out regional differences in both the risk and returns that companies face in terms of regulatory compliance, political stability, domestic subsidies, proven reserves, and so on. Investors with a particular fundamental outlook on a market or sector may look to invest directly in that market to test the investment thesis in the purest trade possible. ETFs and other tools can be used as proxies, but they dilute the trade by bundling in other assets outside of the target ones.
How to Buy Stocks Internationally
There are a few ways individual investors can gain exposure to international markets. For example, you can buy American depositary receipts (ADRs), U.S.-registered mutual funds, or U.S.-registered ETFs that invest in foreign securities. You might be surprised that many large U.S. companies do business overseas and give you access to international consumers. In this case, investing in a multinational stock might be similar to buying an international stock.
However, to buy individual stocks on a foreign market, you need to open an account with an international broker—one that supports the buying and selling of international stocks. It’s wise to understand the fees, available countries, and assets before selecting your international broker.
Once you have opened and funded an account with an international broker, buying international stocks is similar to buying stocks on U.S. exchanges. You may need to request access (including price data) for the specific exchange(s) you want to trade. Also, you may need to research the exchange and ticker symbol to ensure you are trading the intended stock.
In general, international stocks must be bought and sold on the same exchange (e.g., if you buy stock in France you must sell it there, too). Certain exchanges may have additional requirements. For example, the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange set daily price limits for all securities to manage volatility. In most cases it is more expensive to buy and sell stocks internationally. The commissions and fees for international trades might differ from those for U.S. stocks and currency exchange fees may apply as well.
What to Consider When Choosing an International Broker
When choosing an international broker, look for the same features you would want out of any broker: a strong industry reputation, up-to-date security standards, solid customer service, reasonable costs, robust trading tools, helpful educational content, and access to the markets you want to trade.
Access to research reports, screeners, and international news is very important when choosing an international broker. It might be more important to perform in depth research before buying an international stock than a U.S. company, due to differing legal reporting requirements for international firms.
Can a Non-U.S. Citizen Open a Brokerage Account?
In most cases, legal U.S. residents who are not U.S. citizens can open U.S.-based brokerage accounts, provided they complete the required paperwork and certify their tax status. You might be required to complete additional tax documents that are required for international citizens.
Non-U.S. citizens who live outside of the U.S. can open an account if the broker accepts applications from their country of residence. There might also be limitations on the types of accounts you can open if you’re not a U.S. resident. Another alternative might be to open a brokerage account in your home country with access to the U.S. investment markets.
Methodology
Investopedia is dedicated to providing investors with unbiased, comprehensive reviews and ratings of online brokers. This year, we revamped the review process by conducting an extensive survey of customers that are actively looking to start trading and investing with an online broker. We then combined this invaluable information with our subject matter expertise to develop the framework for a quantitative ratings model that is at the core of how we compiled our list of the best online broker and trading platform companies.
This model weighs key factors like trading technology, range of offerings, mobile app usability, research amenities, educational content, portfolio analysis features, customer support, costs, account amenities, and overall trading experience according to their importance. Our team of researchers gathered 2425 data points and weighted 66 criteria based on data collected during extensive research for each of the 25 companies we reviewed.
Many of the brokers we reviewed also gave us live demonstrations of their platforms and services, either at their New York City offices or via video conferencing methods. Live brokerage accounts were also obtained for most of the platforms we reviewed, which our team of expert writers and editors used to perform hands-on testing in order to lend their qualitative point of view.
Read our full Methodology for reviewing online brokers.
