Why You Should Trust Us

Investopedia was founded in 1999 and has helped investors determine which online broker best align🙈s with their goals since 2019. Through hundreds of hours of independent research, we collected data from 27 online brokers. We used a methodology that evaluated 120 criteria deemed important to traders. We used this data to judge each brokerage and determine how it ranked in terms of fees, research amenities, trading tools, and other essential factors to bring you a list of the best brokers for international trading.

What Is A Broker for International Trading?

A broker for international trading facilitates the trading of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:securities in international markets. These brokers may offer services to customers in different countries, and provide access to multiple exchanges worldwide. Some international brokers allow customers to settle trades in different currencies, and to participate in 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:forex trading, also known as currency trading. 

Many international brokers are also considered discount brokers and offer commission-free trading. This means that when customers buy or sell certain securities—like stocks and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:exchange-traded funds (ETFs)—they don’t have to pay any fees.

Who Should Consider Using A Broker For Inte꧟rnational Trading?

Brokers for international trading can be useful for investors who want to boost their exposure to foreign markets, as international investing can improv🎉e portfolio diversif🐎ication and reduce volatility. 

These brokers typically offer investors 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:many ways to diversify their holdings. 

For example, they may offer U.S.-registered mutual funds and ETFs that invest in foreign securities. These funds provide investors with exposure to foreign companies, but since they’re regis♒tered in the U.S., they’re still required to abide by U.S. regula♍tions. 

More savvy investors may consider investing directly in foreign markets, but this may be more risky. In the U.S., companies are required to file reports with the 𓄧澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Securities and Exchange Co🐼mmission (SEC). However, rules and regulations vary by country, so when you invest in a stock on a f☂oreign exchange, you may have access to different information.

Brokers for international trading can also be a good option for non-U.S. investors—some international brokers offer their services in other countri🐼es and allow investors to trad✤e with different currencies.

Pros & Cons of International Investing

Pros Explained

• Diversification: International securities can move in different directions than domestic securities, so adding them to your portfolio can help reduce the risk and volatility of your portfolio. For example, if U.S. stocks are underperforming, investing in international stocks can help offset the poor performance of U.S. stocks.
• Potential for higher returns: Investing in 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:emerging markets—which are countries with economies that are developing—may offer higher potential returns, but they also come with greater volatility.

Cons Explained

• Currency risk: Whenever you purchase a foreign security, you’re buying a security that’s denominated in a different currency, so you may face 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:currency risk. If that currency falls relative to the dollar, that may erode the value of your returns. In contrast, if that currency outperforms the dollar, that can magnify your returns.
• Level of disclosure by companies may be different: If you invest in securities on foreign exchanges, they may be subject to different reporting requirements than U.S. companies are. Therefore, you may have access to different information.
  
• Higher fees: Investing in foreign stocks may be more expensive. For example, international ETFs may charge higher 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:expense ratios, and if you opt to trade in different currencies, conversion costs can add up.

How We Picked the Best International Online Brokers and Trading Platforms

We conducted proprietary research on online brokers and trading platforms offering international trading access. Our financial experts collated and reviewed data from 10-question surveys sent to 27 brokers. Once we received the responses, our financial experts and researchers verified the survey responses and did further research to fill in any missing data points, including contacting individual brokerage houses for more information. This data collection processജ was conducted between  Dec. 20, 2024 to Feb. 19, 2025.

Once we had completed the data collection process, our experts developed an in-house proprietary model that allowed us to rate each company’s performance across 11 major categories and 120 criteria. Our experts were also provided with live demonstrations🅠 by some brokerages to assist us in our research. This allowed our team to perform hands-on live testing. 

Through this research, data collection, and testing process, Investopedia has been able to provide this unbiased ranking of the best brokers for international trad♋ing.