Last update: September 30, 2026. Country lists and fees checked on the brokers’ official pages in September 2026. Written by Sal Cocurullo, investor since 2006.
The best international stock broker for non-US residents in 2026 is Interactive Brokers. It accepts clients from over 200 countries and territories and reaches 170 market centers. XTB is second for its 0% commission and fast platform, but it accepts fewer countries.
This page is for investors who live anywhere outside the United States. If you live in the EU, my ranking of the best brokers in Europe compares EU costs in more detail.
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| The most countries accepted and the most markets, with 0.03% currency conversion | Interactive Brokers |
| 0% commission up to €100,000 per month and the smoothest app (EU, UK, Middle East and selected countries) | XTB |
| A simple app with copy trading, available in most countries | eToro |
| A bank-grade platform for larger portfolios (Europe, Switzerland, UAE, Asia-Pacific hubs) | Saxo |
| US and Asian exchanges with a human account manager (EU/EEA and Switzerland only) | Freedom24 |
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This page contains affiliate links: if you open an account through them, RevenueLand may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the disclaimer.
International Stock Brokers Compared: Countries, Markets and Costs
An international broker must pass three tests: it accepts your country, it reaches the exchanges you want, and it converts your currency cheaply. The table compares the five brokers on those three lines.
| Broker | Countries accepted | Market access | Stock commission | Currency conversion | Min deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | Over 200 countries and territories | 170 market centers, 29 currencies | US: $0.005 per share, min $1 (Pro Fixed) | 0.03% (auto); 0.002% manual, min $2 | $0 |
| XTB | EU (not Belgium), UK, Middle East, Canada via XTB France, about 16 other countries | 6,000+ real stocks on 16 exchanges | 0% up to €100,000 per month, then 0.2% (min €10) | 0.5% (0.8% weekends) | €0 |
| eToro | Most countries; not India or Japan | 6,000+ stocks on 20 exchanges | $1 or $2 per trade by country and exchange; ETFs $0 | 0.75% EUR to USD; none on USD accounts | About $50 |
| Saxo | EU (not Cyprus), UK, Switzerland, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia | 19,000+ stocks, 6,500+ ETFs | 0.08% on the Classic tier, min $1 on US stocks | 0.5% | Varies by entity |
| Freedom24 | EU/EEA and Switzerland | 40,000+ stocks on 15 exchanges, including US and Hong Kong | Smart plan: €2 / $2 per order + 0.02 per share | Spread only, about 0.005% | €0 |
Sources: IBKR fact sheet (Q2 2026), XTB help center (country list updated March 23, 2026), eToro stocks page, Saxo and Freedom24 price lists. Fees depend on the legal entity that serves your country.
Currency conversion is the biggest hidden cost for an international investor. A broker with 0% commission and 0.5% conversion costs €50 on a €10,000 purchase of US stocks. Holding a USD balance in a multi-currency account avoids converting at every trade.
The 5 Best International Stock Brokers, One by One
🥇 1. Interactive Brokers: best international broker overall (4.85)
Interactive Brokers is listed on Nasdaq and joined the S&P 500 on August 28, 2025. It serves clients from over 200 countries and territories and holds 5.185 million client accounts (Q2 2026). Your account is opened with the IBKR entity that covers your country, for example Interactive Brokers Ireland for EU residents.
| Markets | 170 market centers, stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, funds |
| Currencies | 29, held side by side in one account |
| US stocks | $0.005 per share, min $1 (Pro Fixed) |
| Currency conversion | 0.03% automatic; 0.002% manual, min $2 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
Why it is first: no other broker combines this country coverage, this market access and this conversion cost. If you live in Asia, Africa or Latin America, it is often the only top-tier option.
Keep in mind: the account opening is long and the Trader Workstation takes time to learn. Support was my weakest experience with IBKR, which is why I wrote about IBKR alternatives.
🥈 2. XTB: best platform and 0% commission (3.65)
XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. It serves clients through several entities: XTB S.A. and XTB Cyprus for the EU, XTB UK, XTB MENA for the Middle East, XTB France for Canada and XTB International for a short list of other countries.
| Countries | EU except Belgium, UK, Middle East, Canada (via XTB France); via XTB International since March 2026: Angola, Bermuda, Georgia, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritania, Moldova, Montenegro, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Vietnam, Zambia |
| Not accepted | US, Australia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Brazil and others |
| Markets | 6,000+ real stocks on 16 exchanges, fractional shares, ETFs |
| Commission | 0% up to €100,000 per month, then 0.2% (min €10) |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% (0.8% on weekends) |
My experience: I have been an XTB client for about five years and traded a bit of everything there. The app is the smoothest of all the brokers I use, and execution is fast.
Why it is second: if XTB accepts your country, it beats every other broker on platform and commissions. It loses points on country coverage, on markets (16 exchanges against 170) and on the 0.5% conversion fee. Clients outside the EU and UK are served by entities with a lighter protection scheme. Full test in my XTB review.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
🥉 3. eToro: simplest app for most countries (3.55)
eToro is listed on Nasdaq (ETOR) since May 2025. It serves clients in most countries through entities regulated by CySEC, the FCA, ASIC and the FSRA in Abu Dhabi. India and Japan are among the exclusions.
Fees: $1 or $2 per stock trade, depending on your country and the exchange. ETFs are commission-free. Conversion from EUR to USD costs 0.75%; USD accounts avoid it. Minimum first deposit is about $50. Markets: 6,000+ stocks on 20 exchanges.
Keep in mind: shares bought on eToro cannot be transferred to another broker, and CFDs are the default on many assets. Read my eToro review and eToro alternatives.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 52% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
4. Saxo: bank-grade platform for larger portfolios (3.50)
Saxo is a Danish bank. In March 2026 the Swiss private bank J. Safra Sarasin completed the acquisition of about 71% of Saxo. Since July 1, 2024, Saxo has stopped onboarding new clients in several countries, including Canada, Brazil, India, Turkey and South Africa.
Fees: 0.08% per stock trade on the Classic tier, with a $1 minimum on US stocks. Currency conversion costs 0.5%. Markets: 19,000+ stocks and 6,500+ ETFs. Available in: the EU (not Cyprus), UK, Switzerland, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Australia.
My view: I have an account on Saxo Europe. The platform is deep and the research is strong. Its fees suit portfolios of tens of thousands, not small monthly purchases. Keep in mind: check your country before applying, the list shrank in 2024.
5. Freedom24: US and Asian markets for European residents (3.15)
Freedom24 is the European broker of Freedom Holding Corp, part of a listed group, and is regulated in Europe. It accepts residents of the EU/EEA and Switzerland only.
Why it is here: it reaches 15 exchanges, including the US and Hong Kong, with 40,000+ stocks, and currency conversion costs only the spread. It is the only broker in this list with a named account manager in your language. Keep in mind: €7 per bank withdrawal and no fractional shares. Read the full Freedom24 review.
Investments in securities and other financial instruments always involve the risk of loss of your capital. The forecast or past performance is no guarantee of future results. It is essential to do your own analysis before making any investment.
How I Rank International Brokers: Scoring Method
Each broker gets a score from 1 to 5 on five criteria. The weights reflect what an investor outside the US meets first: can I open the account, can I reach the market, and what does the conversion cost. Scores set on September 30, 2026.
| Broker | Countries accepted (25%) | Market access (25%) | Costs and FX (20%) | Platform (15%) | Protection (15%) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.85 |
| XTB | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3.65 |
| eToro | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3.55 |
| Saxo | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3.50 |
| Freedom24 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3.15 |
Countries accepted (25%) scores how many regions can open a new account in 2026. Market access (25%) counts exchanges and instruments. Costs and FX (20%) combines stock commissions and currency conversion. Platform (15%) covers app, web and execution. Protection (15%) scores the regulator of the entity and the compensation scheme.
Full method: how I test and rank brokers
Currency Conversion Cost Calculator
Enter how much you convert each year into foreign currencies. This is a simulation based on the standard conversion fees above. It excludes commissions, spreads and taxes.
Rates used: Freedom24 0.005%, Interactive Brokers 0.03%, XTB 0.5%, Saxo 0.5%, eToro 0.75%. Simulation only, not a quote.
How to Open an International Broker Account as a Non-US Resident
The W-8BEN form tells the US tax authority that you are not a US person. Without it, US dividends are taxed at 30%. With it, the rate falls to your country’s treaty rate, 15% for most EU countries. Brokers ask you to sign it online when you open the account. The form is published by the IRS.
Can a non-US citizen open an account with a US broker? Robinhood, Fidelity and most US brokers accept only US residents. Interactive Brokers is the main exception with global coverage. Residents of Europe can also buy US stocks through the brokers in my guide to trading US markets from Europe.
Best International Broker by Region
EU residents have more choice than this page shows, including Scalable Capital, Trade Republic and DEGIRO. Those brokers are compared in the best brokers in Europe and, for ETF buyers, in the best ETF brokers for Europeans. UK residents can also read my UK trading platform ranking.
Is My Money Safe With a Foreign Broker?
Protection depends on the entity that holds your account, not on the brand. The same broker can cover an EU client up to €20,000 and a client elsewhere with no statutory scheme at all. Before you deposit, check three lines in the account agreement: the legal entity, its regulator and the compensation scheme.
| Check | What you want | What you avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Named company with a licence number | Brand name only, no entity on the agreement |
| Regulator | FCA, BaFin, KNF, CySEC, Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, MAS, DFSA | Offshore licence only |
| Client assets | Segregated from the broker’s own money | Pooled accounts without segregation |
| Exit | Securities transfer out at a published fee | Positions that cannot be transferred |
✅ Final Recap: Best International Stock Brokers 2026
🥇 Interactive Brokers (4.85): 200+ countries, 170 market centers, 0.03% currency conversion.
🥈 XTB (3.65): the smoothest app and 0% commission up to €100,000 per month, if your country is accepted.
🥉 eToro (3.55): the simplest app for most countries, with copy trading.
Saxo (3.50) for larger portfolios in its core markets, Freedom24 (3.15) for European residents who want US and Asian exchanges with an account manager.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Disclaimer. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. RevenueLand is not a financial advisor and nothing on this page is personalised investment advice. Investing involves risk and you may lose capital. Availability and fees depend on your country of residence. This page contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Full disclaimer.
FAQ: International Stock Brokers
What is the best international stock broker for non-US residents?
Interactive Brokers is the best international stock broker in 2026, with a score of 4.85 out of 5. It accepts clients from over 200 countries and territories and reaches 170 market centers. XTB is second where it is available, for its platform and 0% commission.
Which broker accepts clients from the most countries?
Interactive Brokers, with clients in over 200 countries and territories. eToro follows, with most countries accepted except a few such as India and Japan. XTB and Saxo cover fewer regions, and Freedom24 accepts only EU/EEA and Swiss residents.
Does XTB accept clients from every country?
No. XTB accepts the EU except Belgium, the UK, the Middle East and Canada via XTB France. Since March 2026 XTB International accepts only about 16 other countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and South Africa. The US, Australia and India are excluded.
Can a non-US citizen buy US stocks?
Yes. All five brokers in this list give access to US stocks. You sign the W-8BEN form to reduce the US withholding tax on dividends from 30% to your treaty rate.
What is the cheapest way to hold foreign stocks?
Convert currency rarely and cheaply. Interactive Brokers charges 0.03% and Freedom24 only the spread, against 0.5% to 0.75% at XTB, Saxo and eToro. On €10,000 converted, that is €3 against €50 to €75.
About the author: Sal Cocurullo has invested his own money since 2006 and holds accounts with the brokers on this page.
I live in Singapore. Can I use XTB?
No. Since March 2026 XTB International accepts only about 16 countries outside the EU, UK and Middle East, and Singapore is not one of them. Interactive Brokers and Saxo both serve Singapore residents. With IBKR, hold USD in the multi-currency account and convert once: at 0.03% it costs you almost nothing.