Compare 5 best international trading platforms for 2025

In this guide, our experts have rated the 5 best online brokers internationally to buy, sell and trade stocks for beginners.
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Updated on Oct 28, 2024
Reading time 9 minutes

The Invezz team of expert traders, data analysts, and financial writers frequently test the best trading platforms. Amongst a range of features, we ranked the top international brokers according to their affordability, security, and available international markets.

In this article, we answer the question: what are the best online brokers internationally for global users?

What is the best international stock trading app?

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Our rankings reveal that the best online broker internationally is eToro .

Having assessed 100+ brokers, this list represents the three services that top our rankings as the overall best international online trading platforms. 

We found 4 online brokers for users based in

eToro review
4.6
eToro
Min. Deposit $100
Fees 1%
No. assets 50+
Demo account Yes

eToro review

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Plus500 review
4.5
Plus500
Min. Deposit $100
Fees From 2%
No. assets 2800+
Demo account Yes

Plus500 review

CFD service. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorised by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

Public.com review
4.4
Public
Min. Deposit $20
Fees 1-2%
No. assets 9000+
Demo account No

Public.com review

Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

Top 5 online brokers internationally, reviewed

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We found 4 online brokers for users based in

1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

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4.5
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

0% commission

Fees

50

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love eToro because it’s a trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.

The far-reaching catalog of more than 5,500 stocks and ETFs includes big names like Apple and Tesla, as well as smaller companies with high growth potential. You can start trading with as little as $10 using fractional shares if you’re on a tight budget.

One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. This is a great way to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.

If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across stocks, crypto, and options trading markets.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

eToro offers real assets only, no CFD products. eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Invezz.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.

2. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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4.5
Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.8%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you make a trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures contracts for some of the biggest indices.

Plus500 has something for all types of traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $100) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Buy or sell stock CFDs with Plus500. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

3. Public. Best for AI analysis

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public.com logo
4
Ratings

$20

Min. deposit

Spreads

Fees

9,000

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love Public because it makes use of cutting-edge AI technology to enhance your trading and investing experience. Public’s AI-powered feature, Public Alpha offers personalized insights and recommendations through its natural language interface in real time. 

Public’s AI technology helps you make more informed decisions by analyzing massive amounts of data and providing actionable insights. These AI-driven insights are easily accessible and give users access to the latest advancements in financial analysis and trading. 

Not only do can you use AI to help your investments, Public is one of the lowest cost brokerage firms out there. You can invest in stocks and ETFs commission free. You can also buy and trade fractional shares and if you want to diversify, you can explore a range of alternative investments including music and film royalties. 

The fees: There are no fees for investing in stocks during regular trading hours in the US – 9.30am-4pm EST. There is a $2.99 fee for trades outside of regular hours. 

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

How we chose the best online trading platform internationally

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Our reviewing panel is made up of industry experts, including our Data Analyst, Dan Ashmore, CFA, our Senior Editor of News, Jayson Derrick, and expert trader, Prash Raval. The panel also includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.

Here are the key factors that played into our final ranking of the best international stock brokers.

  • Fees. We prioritised international brokers that offer commission-free trading, charge low trading fees, don’t charge deposit or withdrawal fees, and don’t charge any hidden fees.
  • Device availability. An online trading platform that is available across all devices as a mobile app deserves a boost. In a mobile world, you need the best stock trading app internationally to work across mobile, tablet, and desktop. 
  • Platform security. All services we recommend are regulated by respected financial institutions and provide investor protection in the event that anything goes wrong.
  • Free demo accounts. All the best international stockbrokers in should offer the chance to test their service before you pay for it. We gave the brokers with the best demo accounts a boost in our rankings.
  • Access to global markets. International stock brokers that allow you to invest in global markets, particularly popular ones like the United States, scored well in our reviews.
  • Trading and analysis tools. An online stock broker that offers analysis tools makes it easier to do all your research and trading in one place. Any online broker that offered this convenience scored well.
  • Third-party integrations. You might want to use a piece of downloadable, third-party software like MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader to place your trades. The best trading international brokers should integrate with these services and those that did so received a higher ranking. 
  • Customer reviews. Finally, we looked into customer reviews, to make sure that we only recommend the best investment platforms internationally where the majority of international customers had a positive experience.

Find out more about how we rate, rank, and review platforms.

More about international stock trading platforms

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What products can I trade with an international stock broker?

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You can trade stocks from where you live, or invest in leading companies from around the world. Here’s a breakdown of what (and how) you can trade with the best online brokers globally.

Stocks

  • Local stocks. One option is to simply buy and sell stocks that are listed in your country. This is normally the most straightforward option, as you can buy shares in any company that’s listed on a local stock exchange.
  • US stocks. Some of the best known companies in the world are listed in the United States. The best international online broker will also let you invest in stocks that are listed on the NYSE or the NASDAQ exchange in the US, but it depends on the legal restrictions where you live.
  • International stocks. You may also be able to buy shares in companies that are based in the rest of the world. The best international brokers offer global stocks, but it may be a limited selection. If you want to buy equities from outside your place of residence or the US, be sure to check those stocks are available through your online broker before you sign up.

ETFs

ETFs (exchange traded funds) are investment funds that pool money together from lots of different investors and use it to track a particular index, like the S&P 500. Even if you can’t invest in every stock from every country, you can usually find an alternative in an ETF that tracks the performance of a country’s top stock exchanges and indexes. 

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are professionally managed investments. You buy shares in the fund through an investment platform and the manager decides what to invest it in. 

Mutual funds and ETFs are similar, but the former are managed by a professional who tries to beat the market, while the latter buy and sell stocks automatically based on a set of fixed criteria. The best international stock broker in allows you to invest in stocks from your country, as well as ETFs and mutual funds.

Futures and options

Futures and options contracts involve making an agreement to purchase a stock in the future at an agreed price. They’re favoured by stock traders and can be used as a way of speculating on how you think a company’s price might change in the future.

Other assets

Most international trading platforms offer a variety of assets alongside stocks, funds, and ETFs. With the best international brokers you can create a diversified portfolio made up of leading global stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and dabble with trading currency pairs and commodities as well.

Compare the assets available with each of the top international brokers below.

Product eToro assets Plus500 assets Public assets
Stock CFDs 3117 1,800+
ETF CFDs 317 100+
Forex CFDs 49 50+
Crypto 73 7
Index CFDs 20 20+
Commodity CFDs 26 20+
NFTs 100,000
View more > eToro > Plus500 > Public >

Exact figures may vary. NFTs are accessed through Delta, an NFT explorer app which is owned and operated by eToro.

You should keep in mind, however, that to invest in other financial products, you may be better off using a different type of trading platform.

To invest in other financial assets around the world, you may be better off using a different type of trading platform. For example, for trading currency pairs you want one of the best international forex brokers, for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the best international crypto exchanges. The best international CFD brokers offer a range of financial assets, including many of the options above.

How much does it cost to use the best online international trading platforms in?

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It is normally free to sign up to an international stock trading platform. The main cost comes in the form of trading fees, which depend on the platform and on what you want to trade. Some of the best international stock trading apps in offer completely free trading, while others charge a flat fee or commission per trade.

Here’s a comparison of the trading fees across our highest rated international brokers.

Asset eToro fees Plus500 fees Public fees
Crypto 1% From 2% 1-2% (spread)
Commodities From 2 pips From 0.04%
Forex From 1 pip
Index prices From 0.75 pts From 0.7%
Stocks 0% commission From 0.08% Spreads
Stock CFDs 0.15%
ETF CFDs 0.15%
View more > eToro > Plus500 > Public >

Another way an international online broker might charge you is via the spread. The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset, and effectively serves as a commission the broker is charging you on top of the market price. The smaller the spread, the better value you’re getting from your broker.

Here’s a comparison of the spreads across the top international trading platforms.

Product eToro spreads Plus500 spreads Public spreads
Stock CFDs 0.15% 0.10%
ETF CFDs 0.15% 0.10%
Forex CFDs From 1 pip 0.8 pips
Crypto 1% Variable
Index CFDs From 0.75 points 0.20%
Commodity CFDs From 2 pips 0.50%
View all tradable assets > eToro > Plus500 > Public >

On top of the trading fees and spreads, there may be other charges for using your online broker account. These can include inactivity fees, where you’re charged if you don’t use your account for a period of time (usually 3-6 months), as well as overnight fees, which only apply if the broker is also a CFD platform, or even an account maintenance fee.

Here’s a look at the types of fees different international brokers charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers internationally.

Fee eToro fees Plus500 fees Public fees
Trading fees Yes, on certain assets No Yes
Inactivity fees Yes Yes Yes
Rollover/overnight fees Yes, on CFDs Yes No
Withdrawal fees Yes No No
Spreads Yes, on certain assets Yes Yes
Conversion fees Yes, for non-USD currencies Yes Yes
View more > eToro > Plus500 > Public >

Are international stock brokers regulated?

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Yes, online brokers have to be regulated in order to offer share dealing services. Ideally, you want to find a broker that offers top-tier regulatory protection either through your local regulator, or through an internationally recognised institution. 

The best international brokers are regulated to operate internationally through institutions such as CySEC (the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission). Here are the best online international brokers and where they’re regulated across the world.

Region eToro regulators Plus500 regulators Public regulators
Africa FSA
Asia
Australasia ASIC ASIC, FMA
Europe FCA, CySEC FCA, CySEC
International
North America FinCEN SEC, FINRA, SIPC
South America
View more > eToro > Plus500 > Public >

How much money do I need to start using an international broker?

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Typically, the minimum deposit for each international broker is the equivalent of $10. This is a manageable amount for most users, though you should also consider the minimum trade size on each platform. This governs the smallest investment you can make, so if you plan to invest small amounts then it is a crucial number to think about.

Compare the minimum and maximum trade sizes for each top international broker right here.

Product eToro minimum trade Plus500 minimum trade Public minimum trade
Stock CFDs $10 $10
ETF CFDs $10 $10
Forex CFDs $33.34* 0.01 lots
Crypto $10 N/A
Index CFDs $1,000 $10
Commodity CFDs $1,000 $10
View more > eToro > Plus500 > Public >

*Using the maximum leverage available, 30:1, to make a trade worth $1,000.

How to buy stocks internationally

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Every international stock trading app is designed to help you invest with the minimum of fuss. 

Follow this six step guide to learn how to buy shares online internationally for the first time.

1. Find an international trading app

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Compare the best international online stock brokers in and choose your favourite from the list at the top of this page.

2. Create an account

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Once you’ve chosen the best international broker, set up an account by supplying your email address and password. Fill in personal details like your name and address.

3. Verify the broker account

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Before you use an online trading platform internationally, you need to verify your identity. Upload a copy of your driving licence or passport to do this. The verification process can take up to 24 hours, but is often much quicker than that.

4. Deposit money into your trading account

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You can make your initial deposit via a card payment, bank transfer, or an alternative payment method. Many of the best international online brokers accept PayPal and similar e-wallets, but you should check this ahead of time.

5. Search for a stock and place your trade

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Find the stocks you want to trade using their ticker symbol. Enter the details of your trade, and hit ‘buy’ to execute it.

6. Monitor your investment

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Check up on your investment regularly. Use the latest news and stock market research to help you decide when to sell your shares, and lock in a profit or loss.

FAQs

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01

What’s the best broker for beginners internationally?

02

What’s the best investment platform internationally?

03

What’s the cheapest online broker internationally with the lowest fees?

04

Which trading app is best internationally?

05

Which international investment platform has the best demo account?

06

What’s the safest international broker?

07

Is it legal to trade stocks internationally?


Sources & references

James Knight

James Knight

Editor of Education

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James is the Editor of Education for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets. His main focus is on improving financial literacy among casual investors. He has been with Invezz since the start of 2021 and has been...