The Best U.S. Stock Accounts for 2025: Rankings and Reviews

       U.S. law provides that you can open an account in the United States to speculate on U.S. stocks no matter you are a citizen of any country, except, of course, countries sanctioned by the United States. According to the regulations, the tax policy for non-US tax residents is as follows:

• Capital gains tax: exempt;
• Dividend (dividend) tax: 30%. (Collected and declared by brokerage firms, without any operation on their own)

There are two types of accounts for opening a U.S. stock account:

• U.S. domestic accounts: for U.S. citizens (with U.S. citizenship, green card, H1B visa)
• U.S. stock international accounts: for non-U.S. citizens (Chinese citizens need to submit a W-8BEN form for tax exemption, brokerage account opening will generally be generated on behalf of and electronically submitted)

Ⅰ. Interactive Brokers Reuters Securities 

Company Description:

       Interactive Brokers Securities Broker-Dealer is an American company that began in 1977 and, although the total value of consolidated equity assets has exceeded $7 billion, remains true to its original mission - to create technology to provide better liquidity. Competing on price, speed, scale, global product diversity and advanced trading tools. S&P has rated PCRS Group & Co. with an investment grade rating.

       PCRS is a member of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Securities and Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC), and is regulated by the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and in the unlikely event of a failure of a SIPC member, each client is entitled to a maximum of $500,000 per client. In the event of the collapse of SIPC, each client is entitled to a maximum payout of $500,000, with cash insurance capped at $250,000 per client. Funds in the account are considered as securities, please refer to SIPC website https://www.sipc.org for details.

       The ultra-SIPC payout policy agreed between PCS and Lloyd's of London underwriters provides an additional $30 million ($900,000 in cash) of protection for individual securities accounts, with a total limit of $150 million.

       IBKR has once again been honored with the #1 spot in Barron's 2019 Best Internet Brokerage Firms competition.

       Listing symbol: IBKB

       Market Capitalization: $52.56 billion ( calculated at the closing price of 2024.8.27 )

       Official Website: https://www.interactivebrokers.com or https://ibkr.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

       Open an account and get up to $1,000 in stocks for free: click to open an account, then click the blue “Open Account” button to enter the Chinese interface.

Trading Markets:

       Can be traded in more than three dozen countries 125 market stocks, options, ETFs, futures, foreign exchange and bonds. More than 18,000 mutual funds from more than 270 fund families can be traded globally. Choose from more than 60 actively and passively managed portfolios with annual management fees ranging from 0.08% to 1.5%.

Account fees:

Starting in 2022, there are no account management fees, but real-time quotes cost anywhere from $15-$300, depending on the exchange desired.

Advantages:

• Fast execution efficiency (therefore, many professional clients choose it)
• Tradable categories and varieties are the largest
• Powerful functionality
• Provides very rich programming interface API
• Lowest financing and financing rates in the industry
• Desktop software and mobile app available

Disadvantages:

• Desktop software is very complicated, uncle is used to adapt for a long time, still do not think it is not very good, and the data is not real-time, need to buy extra;
• Real-time data needs to be purchased additionally, different exchanges have different prices, ranging from $13-$50 per month on each exchange.
• Account profit and loss is also not real-time data.

The above shortcomings can only be solved in one way, is to find a full disclosure agent to help open an account, the best this full disclosure agent will be that provides free real-time data, but also independent research and development of desktop software and cell phone APP, this desktop software and cell phone APP is also in line with the habits of the Chinese people use. Of course, the safety of funds is the most important, all the full disclosure of the agent's customer funds in and out of the bottom are directly from the full responsibility of the PCCW Securities, the funds hosting is also responsible for by the PCCW Securities. This way we can enjoy all the double benefits of full disclosure agents and PTC Securities.

Uncle looked for a lot of full-disclosure agents of PCCW, and early on there were two brokers that met the criteria, one was Tiger Securities and the other was Snowing Securities. This is because Tiger Securities has set up its own business in 2019, clearing on its own and taking care of its own custodianship of funds.

Therefore, only Snow Surplus Securities currently meets the criteria. Utilizing Snowball Securities, a full disclosure agent of PCCW Securities, to open a PCCW Securities account, while having services such as free real-time data and friendly software interface of Snowball Securities, while the actual funds and account are still PCCW Securities, you can log in on both sides at the same time. (Jump to Snowball snow surplus securities introduction)

No negative news

Ⅱ. Firstrade First Securities

Company Profile:

       Firstrade's First Securities is also a U.S. company, started in 1985, sparing no effort to improve the quality of service, zero commission per transaction, no minimum deposit requirement to open an account, no account maintenance fees.

       Firstrade Securities is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC) in the United States, so there is also no more than $500,000 in insurance.

       Official website: https://www.firstrade.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading market:

        U.S. stocks, options, over 11,000 mutual funds, bonds, treasury bonds, agency bonds and time deposits.

Account Fees:                                                

        No account management fees    

Firstrade First Securities trading commissions and financing rates: 

Commission free.

Advantages:

• No capital requirements
• No account fees
• No transaction fees

Disadvantages:

• Limited variety of trades
• Medium funding rates
• No computer-based software

Ⅲ. TD Ameritrade DeMille Securities

Company Description:

       TD Ameritrade Securities is also a U.S.-based company, started in 1975, with a network of branches across the U.S. It is a company that has been growing since its IPO in 1997, with a standard of excellence, a track record of innovation, and a bedrock of Midwestern roots as important as the values that were at the time of the founding of TD Ameritrade Securities. The parent company is AMTD HTC, a publicly traded company.

       DeMille Securities is a member of FINRA and the Securities and Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC), so it is also insured for no more than $500,000 dollars.

       Official website: https://www.tdameritrade.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading market:

       You can trade U.S. stocks, options, ETFs, futures, foreign exchange, bonds, mutual funds, managed portfolios, and more.

Account Fees:

       No account management fees.

Advantages:

• No account management fees
• Large number of U.S. branch locations
• Desktop software, web version and mobile app available

Disadvantages:

• Very high financing rates, hidden costs, and very high financing costs for shorting stocks;

Negatives:

• Restrictions on users trading underlying stocks in the January 2021 U.S. retail holdout.

Ⅳ. Charles Schwab Charles Schwab

Company Description:

       Charles Schwab is also a U.S.-based company that originated in 1971 as a brokerage and banking finance company. Effective October 7, 2019, Charles Schwab will eliminate trading commissions on U.S. and Canadian listed stocks, ETFs and options.

       Charles Schwab is a member of FINRA and SIPC.

       Listing Code: SCHW

       Market Capitalization: $157.814 billion ( 2023.1.7 closing price )

       Official website: https://www.schwab.com (certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading Market:

       Tradable U.S. and Canadian listed stocks, ETFs and options, American Depository Receipts (ADRs).

Account Management Fee:

       No account management fees

Pros:

• No commissions;
• Banking available;
• There is web-based trading and mobile app trading.

Disadvantages:

• High minimum deposit requirements, starting at $25,000;
• Very high financing rates, hidden costs, and very high financing costs for shorting stocks;

No desktop software.

Ⅴ. ITiger Tiger Securities

Company Description:

       Founded in New Zealand in 2014, Tiger Securities is an internet brokerage that specializes in US and Hong Kong stocks. It is invested by Zhenge, Xiaomi and Pinnacle. Relying on the advantages of the Internet, Tiger Securities is to provide securities business covering U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks, A shares (Shanghai and Hong Kong Stock Connect). Uses PCCW Securities' as a clearing house.

       TIGR is also a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC).

       Listing Code: TIGR

       Market capitalization: 608 million ( 2024.8.27 closing price )

       Official Website: https://www.tigersecurities.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading Markets:

       Can trade U.S. stocks, ETFs, options, Hong Kong stocks, British stocks, A-share Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.

Account Management Fee:

       No account management fees.

Pros:

• Medium interest rate on financing

Disadvantages:

• Transaction fees are relatively high
• Chinese open and have independent clearing authority, client funds are held in trust on their own

Negative News:

December 31, 2022 The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said that in recent years, Futu Holdings and Tiger Securities have conducted cross-border securities business for domestic investors without my approval, and their behavior has constituted illegal operation of securities business under the Securities Law and other relevant laws and regulations.

Ⅵ. Futu Futu Securities

Company Description:

       Futu Securities is a Hong Kong company, founded in 2012, issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) with Class 1, 2, 4 and 9 licenses, and on March 8, 2019, Futu Holdings was listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market IPO in the United States.

       The Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) was established by the Hong Kong Government to protect the interests of investors. Any investor of any nationality who suffers pecuniary loss as a result of irregularities committed by a licensed corporation in relation to products traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the ICF pays to the investor such compensation as may be allowed to be claimed, subject to a compensation limit of HK$150,000 per person for securities and futures contracts.

       Listing Code: FUTU

       Market Capitalization: US$8,007 million ( Calculated at closing price on 2024.8.27 )

       Official Website: https://www.futuhk.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading Market:

       Can trade U.S. stocks, ETFs, options, Hong Kong stocks, A-share Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.

Account Management Fee:

       No account management fees.

Pros:

• Moderate trading fees.
• The computer side is better, but now the quotes are charging fees as well
• Financing rates are moderate

Disadvantages:

• In case of company problems, Hong Kong only compensates no more than HK$150,000
• Chinese open and have independent clearing authority, customer funds independent trusteeship

Negative News:

• In the January 2021 U.S. retail holdout, users are restricted from trading the underlying stocks.
• After the account is canceled successfully, the account can still be logged in, and also sends a daily email reminder to request identity authentication. (Personal experience, please be careful when opening an account!)
• December 31, 2022 The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said that in recent years, Futura Holdings and Tiger Securities have been conducting cross-border securities business for domestic investors without the approval of me, and their behavior has constituted the illegal operation of securities business according to the Securities Law and other relevant laws and regulations.

Ⅶ. USMART Yingyou Securities

Company Profile:

       uSMART Securities, a leading Internet-licensed brokerage firm in Hong Kong, provides a brand new full online AI smart investment experience for global customers. By choosing uSMART Securities, you only need to answer simple questions on its self-developed new-generation professional intelligent investment platform “uSMART Yau Shing Smart Investment” and successfully open an account to immediately enjoy a simple, convenient, professional and safe one-stop, diversified and all-around global investment service. uSMART Securities is committed to financial technology innovation and providing customers with a high-quality and simple intelligent investment experience, with uSMART Securities has been recognized by its peers for its professional and secure platform, competitive pricing in the industry, and customer-oriented service.

uSMART Securities was awarded the “Innovative Information Provider of the Year” by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the “Superior Smart Investment Platform Brand Award” in the “Corporate Brand Achievement Award” by Now Finance. We will continue to strive for excellence in the future.

       Official website: https://www.yxzq.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading Markets:

       You can trade U.S. stocks, ETFs, options, Hong Kong stocks, A-share Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.

Account Management Fee:

       No account management fee.

Trading Fees:

       There are commission-free packages, but charge a platform usage fee of 0.005/share, with a minimum of $1.5/order.

Pros:

• Moderate trading fees.
• There's cash for new trades for as little as $50 in fees
• There is dark trading of Hong Kong stocks

Disadvantages:

• Medium interest rate for financing
• In case of company problems, Hong Kong only compensates no more than HK$150,000
• The Chinese have opened and have independent clearing authority, customer funds independent trusteeship

Ⅷ. WeBull Micro Bull Securities

Company Description:

       WeBull Securities (Webull Financial LLC.) is a product of Changsha-based company Formi Technologies. The company is headquartered at 44 Wall Street, New York City, USA.

        It is also a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC).

       Official website: https://www.webull.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading Markets:

        Can trade U.S. stocks, ETFs, options, etc.

Account Management Fee:

       No account management fees.

Micro Bull Securities Trading Fees:

Commission-free.

Pros:

• No transaction fees
• Medium interest rate on financing

Disadvantages:

There are Hong Kong and A shares, but you have to open a separate account. This needs to be improved
Chinese open and have independent clearing authority, customer funds independent custody

Ⅸ. BBAE Beebe Securities

Company Description:

       BBAE Securities was founded in 2016, the core members of its team are all from the google, based on self-developed trading system and direct connection to the U.S. exchanges.

       BBAE Securities is also a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC).

       Official website: https://www.bbae.com (certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading Markets:

       You can trade U.S. stocks, ETFs, options, etc.

Account Management Fee:

       No account management fees.

BBAE Beebe Securities Trading Fees:

Commission free

Pros:

• No transaction fees
• Medium interest rate on financing

Disadvantages:

• No Hong Kong or A shares
• Quotation fees
• Chinese open and have independent clearing authority, customer funds independent custody

Ⅹ. Snowball Securities

Company Description:

       Snowball Securities (SnowballSecurities) is a New Zealand financial registered service provider. Snowball Group member companies, through the powerful Internet technology and strong financial strength, for the global Chinese people, including Hong Kong stocks, U.S. stocks, China A shares, including global securities brokerage services.

       Snowing Securities is a Fully Disclosed Broker (FDB) of Interactive Brokers (IB). Snowing Securities customers of the transaction clearing, funds and assets custody, access to funds and other underlying services by the Interactive Brokers is responsible for.

       Snow surplus securities account opening will produce two account number, one in the snow surplus landing, a landing in the surplus, the two landing method is actually an account, both sides can operate, like that side of the operation on that side. To enjoy the services of PCCW Securities at the same time snow surplus securities to bring you free real-time quotes.

       Because the actual account opened by the surplus securities, so also enjoy the surplus securities all the regulatory protection. Yingtou Securities is the United States Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the United States Securities and Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC) members.

       Reuters Securities and Lloyd's of London (Lloyd's of London) underwriters agreement with the excess SIPC payout policy, individual securities account also enjoys an additional maximum of $ 30 million (cash limit of $ 900,000) of protection, the total limit of 150 million U.S. dollars.

       Official website: https://snowball-x.com (Official website certified by Uncle Ho Wai)

Trading Market:

       The varieties of trading are the same as those of PCCW Securities, and you can log on to PCCW Securities to trade stocks, options, ETFs, futures, foreign exchange and bonds in 125 markets in more than three dozen countries. More than 18,000 mutual funds from over 270 fund families worldwide are available for trading. Choose from more than 60 actively and passively managed portfolios with annual management fees ranging from 0.08% to 1.5% and minimum funding requirements starting at just $3,000.

Account Fees:

Reduced account management fees for Surplus Securities

Snowy Pacific Securities Trading Fees:

U.S. stock trading fee is 0.007/share, of which commission is 0.003/share with a minimum of $0.99; platform usage fee is 0.004/share with a minimum of $1.

Hong Kong stock commission is transaction value * 0.03%, minimum HK$3 (when the transaction value is less than HK$60,000, only HK$3/transaction is charged);

Platform usage fee is HKD15/transaction (when the transaction value is greater than or equal to HKD60,000, platform usage fee is waived).

Advantage:

• Minimum account opening of 2000 USD
• No account management fees, free real-time quotes, and enjoy the services of PCCW Securities
• Friendly, in line with the Chinese habit of desktop software and mobile APP
• Fast execution efficiency (therefore, many professional clients choose)
• The world's largest number of tradable categories and varieties
• Powerful functions
• Provides very rich programming interface API
• Low financing rates
• Incoming and outgoing funds are actually managed by US-based Pacific Century Securities
• Assistance with foreign card processing exclusive channel

Disadvantages:

• Chinese open is a disadvantage, but there is no clearing authority, which can be very good to limit the behavior of snow surplus securities compliance, because snow surplus securities belong to the full disclosure agent of the surplus securities, so the clearing and funds custody are responsible for the completion of the surplus securities;
• All problems can be solved through the snow surplus securities or IB surplus securities customer service;
• Snow surplus securities customer service time is Beijing time 9:00 - the next day 4:00 am ;
• Withdrawal of funds, then, the first time more trouble; need to create instructions in the IB PCCW Securities, and call IB PCCW Securities to confirm, and then use the same recipient bank account, you can directly click on the withdrawal operation, you can complete the withdrawal operation. (Usually my solution is to directly download the cell phone PCCW Securities IBKR APP for two-factor authentication, can be traded can be verified, without the need for manual customer service and then confirmed).

       Many people ask me, I choose that brokerage? First, over the years, summed up in one sentence, the country opened, and have the authority and the opportunity to get their hands dirty financial enterprises, resolutely away from! Such as a variety of P2P, cultural exchange, foreign exchange finance, digital currency finance, etc.. Therefore, my no-brainer is the Yingtu Securities, but do not want to pay the high monthly real-time quotes fees, so, borrowed the snow Ying Securities account.

        Uncle's solution is to open an account through the snow surplus securities (and account opening to send cash activities can participate), see the market in the snow surplus securities software. Trading Well, can be in the snow Ying securities APP or through the securities APP trading on all, in and out of the gold directly in the through the securities web page background operation. Basically, the problem of trading or funds is also directly to the Shanghai customer service of the Yingtou Securities. Only some non-capital problems to find the snow surplus securities customer service.

        Just now is not to say that the national open do not? Oh, yes, because the snow surplus securities is currently the full disclosure of the Yingtou securities agents. The snow surplus securities itself does not have the authority to dispose of transactions or funds, no liquidation rights. It's just a shell, so it's safe, and SnowEnterprise Securities can't move a dime, and the money is in the escrow account of PCCW Securities.

        So this is the most cost effective program. I also found a link to the campaign (from this link on the account has to enjoy the gift of cash activities), in order to facilitate you, I made this campaign link into a QR code, there is a need for friends can scan the code directly below. It is more convenient to open an account on a cell phone, what is the reason for this? Because if you register with a computer, the process still requires a cell phone. If you are already reading this post on your cell phone, click here to access the exclusive campaign link for Snowing Securities to open an account and receive up to HK$800 in subsidies.