Best US Stock Brokers: Buy US Stocks in HK
Looking to buy US Stocks? Compare Online Brokerage platform in terms of commission fees and charges and learn US stocks trading basics through MoneySmart.
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【🎁 HK$2,300 Cash New Customer Reward】During the campaign period from Nov 7 to 13, 2026, after opening an account via the MoneySmart link, deposit the required amount within 30 days of account opening. Then maintain your assets for 30 days starting from Day 31 (both the first and last day included) to receive the MoneySmart exclusive reward:
1️⃣【Deposit HK$80,000 to HK$299,999】
💰 HK$2,300 cash* / HK$2,500 ParknShop e-voucher / Kooduu SENSA PLAY Dimmable LED Lamp and Bluetooth Speaker Topped with a Handcrafted Glass Lampshade ( value:HK$2,290)
2️⃣【Deposit HK$10,000 to HK$79,999】
💰 HK$700 cash* / PlayStation® Store Digital Gift Cards / Dyson HushJet™ Mini Cool Fan (value: HK$890)
🌟【Deposit HK$300,000 or above】
After opening an account, deposit HK$300,000 or more within 30 days (both the first and last day included). Then, starting from Day 31, maintain your assets for 180 days to receive Alibaba stock (US: BABA) equivalent to 1% of your deposit (capped at HK$100,000). The reward is paid out in 6 installments, one every 30 days.
‼️ Deposits of HK$300,000 or above will automatically receive rewards issued by Webull. You will NOT simultaneously enjoy MoneySmart's HK$10,000 or HK$80,000 deposit rewards.
‼️ MoneySmart rewards 1️⃣ and 2️⃣ cannot be stacked.
‼️ For more MoneySmart exclusive rewards, official Webull rewards and campaign details, please refer to【More Details】below.
Valid till 13 Nov 2026
【📣 Earn up to HK$3,350 Welcome Rewards with Your First Deposit!】From Nov 1 to 8, 2026, open an account via MoneySmart’s designated link, then complete the following requirements to claim dual rewards.
1️⃣ 【MoneySmart Limited-Time Rewards: Deposit HK$10,000 - HK$100,000, Maintain for 30 Days】
💰HK$800 cash* / ParknShop e-voucher / PlayStation® Store Digital Gift Cards, and
⭐️ No need to maintain the deposit, claim a Forthright Securities HK$1,150 official welcome reward.
2️⃣ 【Maintain additional 30 More Days (60 Days Total), Forthright Securities Gives You Additional Official Rewards】
Deposit HK$10,000 or more and maintain for 60 days: HK$1,400 trading cash voucher
Deposit HK$100,000 or more and maintain for 60 days: HK$1,100 trading cash voucher and a Smart Investing Tablet (valued at HK$5,880)
‼️ Rewards 1️⃣ and 2️⃣ can be stacked. Forthright Securities trading cash vouchers are issued and used subject to terms and conditions.
‼️ Tap “More Details” below for full campaign details and reward information.
Valid till 08 Nov 2026
【🎁 Nov Exclusive Rewards】From Nov 1 to 15, 2026 (during the campaign period), download the Futu NiuNiu App, first enter the redemption code【MSFUTU】, then complete your deposit and account opening to meet the retention requirements, and take home one of the following rewards:
1️⃣【Open an account during the campaign period, then retain for 60 days starting the day after your deposit reaches HK$80,000 or above】
💰 Cash HK$2,000* / ParknShop e-Vouchers / 🆕 PlayStation® Store Digital Gift Cards / 🆕 Plus Minus Zero CKP-J010 RO Water Server (Value: HK$2,999)
2️⃣【Open an account during the campaign period, then retain for 60 days starting the day after your deposit reaches HK$10,000 - HK$79,999】
💰 Cash HK$1,000* / PlayStation® Store Digital Gift Cards / 🔥 Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (Value: HK$1,249)
‼️ Rewards 1️⃣ and 2️⃣ cannot be combined
‼️ * The HK$2,000 and HK$1,000 cash rewards are issued as Futu cash vouchers (redeemable within the Futu NiuNiu App)
‼️ Open the “More Details” section below to see other gifts, including Bowers & Wilkins headphones, Hong Kong Plaza Premium Lounge access, and more. There are also student offers with lower retention requirements and the same rewards.
Valid till 15 Nov 2026
【HK$2,000 Cash New Customer Reward 😱】From Nov 1 to 15, 2026, open an account through the designated link and enter the promo code 【MONEYSMART】, then complete account opening and maintain the required amount to receive the following dual rewards.
1️⃣【Deposit HK$100,000 or more, then retain for an additional 60 days starting the day after】
💰 HK$2,000 cash* / HK$2,200 ParknShop e-Voucher / Apple TV 4K (Value: HK$2,399) PLUS
HK$168 Apple Fractional Shares or 1 Share of HSBC & HK$300 Trading Cash Voucher
2️⃣【Deposit HK$50,000 – HK$99,999, then retain for an additional 60 days starting the day after】
💰 H*K$1,100 cash* / HK$1,300 HKTVmall e-Voucher / Beyerdynamic Amiron Zero Open-Ear Clip Earbuds (Value: HK$1,599)*PLUS
HK$168 Apple Fractional Shares or 1 Share of HSBC
3️⃣【Deposit HK$10,000 – HK$49,999, then retain for an additional 60 days starting the day after】
💰 *HK$600 cash* / HK$700 PlayStation® Store Digital Gift Cards / QUICO Q-Travel Ionic Highspeed Hair Dryer (Value: HK$929)*PLUS
HK$168 Apple Fractional Shares or 1 Share of HSBC
‼️ Deposit HK$300,000, complete the retention and trading requirements, and receive up to HK$2,068 in additional Tiger Brokers official rewards.
‼️ For MoneySmart rewards, Tiger Brokers official rewards, and campaign details, please see “More Details” below.
‼️ HK$168 Apple fractional shares, 1 share of HSBC, and HK$300 trading cash voucher are all issued by Tiger Brokers.
Valid till 15 Nov 2026
【🔥 Deposit HK$10,000, Get HK$1,100 Welcome Bonus】November 1 - 30, open account via MoneySmart link and complete deposit to earn rewards
1️⃣ Deposit HK$10,000+ and maintain monthly average daily net assets ≥HK$10,000, until 1 Feb 2027 to choose from
💰 HK$500 Cash*/ ⬆️ HK$600 Apple Store Gift Card PLUS additional HK$500 Huatai cash voucher
OR
2️⃣ Deposit HK$80,000+ (or equivalent) and maintain monthly average daily net assets of HK$80,000+ until 1 Feb 2027 to choose from
💰 HK$1,900 Cash* / HK$2,300 ParknShop e-Vouchers PLUS additional HK$500 Huatai cash voucher
⭐ Huatai New Customer Perks: Zero commission, zero platform fees on HK & US stocks all year
⭐ Deposit HK$300,000+: Rewards up to HK$183,000
‼️Rewards 1️⃣ & 2️⃣ cannot be combined
‼️Click 【More Details】 below for full gift list & campaign info
Rewards issued by MoneySmart to eligible customers. Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited or its affiliates sponsored this post to promote this campaign. Offer valid until Nov 30, 2026. Subject to terms and conditions.
Valid till 30 Nov 2026
【Nov Welcome Offer, Up to HK$9,188】
From now until November 30, open an account via MoneySmart link with invitation code 【MS2026】and deposit HK$10,000.
Maintain HK$10,000 average daily assets for 30 days to enjoy the following double rewards:
1️⃣ MoneySmart Reward: HK$300 Apple Store Gift Card / ParknShop e-Voucher / HKTVmall e-Voucher PLUS
2️⃣ HK$100 equivalent SpaceX stock + HK$288 stock cash voucher (issued by Chief Securities)
‼️ New customers who complete HK$100,000 deposits or above, retention, and trading requirements can earn up to HK$9,188 in new customer gifts.
‼️ Promotion is subject to terms and conditions. Click 【More Details】 below to learn more.
Valid till 30 Nov 2026
Disclaimer: At MoneySmart.hk, we strive to keep our information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, insurance company, service provider or specific product’s site. For any discrepancy in product information, please refer to the financial institution’s website for the most updated version. All financial products and services are presented without warranty. Additionally, this site may be compensated through third party advertisers. However, the results of our comparison tools which are not marked as sponsored are always based on objective analysis first.
How to Buy US Stocks in Hong Kong: Best US Stock Brokers Platforms
Last Updated: as of September, 2026
The US stock market is the largest and most liquid in the world, and Hong Kong investors can access it in minutes - no US address, no US bank account, and often no commission. Whether you want a slice of Nvidia and Apple, a broad S&P 500 ETF, or simply a cheaper way to trade than your bank offers, the platform you choose decides how much of your return you keep.
This guide compares the best US stock brokers in Hong Kong on commission, platform fees and minimum deposit, explains US stocks trading hours in Hong Kong time, breaks down every fee and tax you will actually pay, and walks through how to buy your first US stock step by step. All fees below were last verified in September 2026.
Too much to read? Get the key takeaways in seconds!
- Broker Fee Comparison: Webull offers standard $0 commission and $0 platform fees, making it ideal for small, frequent trades. Futu, Tiger, and Forthright charge low per-share commissions or platform fees, providing advanced research tools, options chains, or multi-market access.
- How to Buy and Requirements: Hong Kong investors need a valid ID/passport, residential address proof, a local bank account, and a completed W-8BEN form. Accounts are funded via FPS or bank transfer in HKD, then converted to USD in-app.
- Trading Hours and Daylight Saving: Regular US trading runs 9:30 PM–4:00 AM HKT during summer daylight saving time, and shifts to 10:30 PM–5:00 AM HKT during winter time. Many platforms also support pre-market, after-hours, and 24x5 extended trading.
- Taxes and Pass-Through Fees: Non-US investors pay no US capital gains tax, but US dividends are subject to a 30% automatic withholding tax. Sell orders incur mandatory SEC and FINRA regulatory pass-through fees.
Best US Stocks Brokers in Hong Kong
All platforms below are SFC-licensed Hong Kong brokers that let you trade US stocks and ETFs from a single HKD-funded account. The real cost difference is not the commission, it is the platform fee, which most brokers charge per share on top.
| US Stocks Broker | Commission | Platform Fee | Min. Account Opening Funding | Stands Out For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webull Securities | US$0 | US$0 | HK$10,000 | True zero fees on US stocks as standard pricing, free Level 2 real-time quotes, fractional shares and 24×5 US trading |
| Futu Securities | US$0.0049/share, min US$0.99/order | US$0.005/share, min US$1/order (tiered plan available from US$0.003/share) | HK$10,000 | Deepest feature set, screeners, options chains, paper trading, community feed, plus fractional US trading at 0.99% of trade value (max US$0.99/order) |
| Forthright Securities | US$0 during the commission-free promotional period | US$0.004/share, min US$3/order (tiered plan available) | HK$10,000 to qualify for the welcome offer | Zero-commission promo, fee-free cash IPO subscription, and smart stock-diagnosis tools |
| Tiger Brokers | US$0.0049/share, min US$0.99/order | US$0.005/share, min US$1/order | HK$10,000 | Multi-market access (US, HK, A-shares, SG) in one account, plus US fractional shares at 1% of trade value (max US$1/order) |
Which platform should you buy US stocks on?
If you trade small amounts frequently, Webull's US$0 commission and US$0 platform fee is the cheapest structure in the market. If you want advanced charting, options and research tools, Futu is the most complete platform. Forthright suits investors who want zero-commission trading plus fee-free IPO subscription, while Tiger works best if you also trade Hong Kong, A-share or Singapore markets from the same account. On top of broker charges, every platform passes on the same US regulatory fees - see the fee breakdown above.
Fees last verified September 2026. Promotional rates change frequently - always check the broker's latest fee schedule before trading.
How to Choose a US Brokerage: 7 Things to Compare
Commission and platform fee
Look at the total, not the headline. Futu charges US$0.0049/share commission (min US$0.99) plus a US$0.005/share platform fee (min US$1), while Webull advertises US$0 commission and US$0 platform fee as standard pricing.
Regulatory pass-through fees
Every broker passes on SEC, FINRA and settlement fees - if a broker's schedule hides them, that is a red flag.
Minimum deposit and inactivity fees
App-based HK brokers typically need HK$10,000 or less to unlock welcome offers; traditional US brokers can ask for US$25,000.
SFC licence and asset protection
Check the SFC register, and check whether your US assets sit with a SIPC-member US clearing broker.
Platform features
his is where Futu and Webull compete hardest: free Level 2 (and Level 1 HK) real-time quotes, stock screeners, options chains, paper trading, community/news feeds, price alerts and desktop plus mobile apps.
Fractional shares and recurring buys
Fractional trading lets you buy under one share — Futu charges 0.99% of trade value (max US$0.99) for sub-share orders — which makes monthly investing realistic on a small budget.
Extended and overnight hour
Some HK platforms now offer 24×5 US trading, useful if you cannot stay up past midnight HKT.
How to Buy US Stocks in Hong Kong (Step by Step)
Choose a platform
Compare brokers through MoneySmart on commission, platform fee and minimum deposit.
Open the account online
You will need your HKID or passport, proof of residential address, and a Hong Kong bank account in your own name. Approval is usually same-day to two working days.
Sign the W-8BEN form
This certifies you are a non-US person. It is built into the onboarding flow of most HK brokers and is valid for three years.
Fund the account
FPS or bank transfer in HKD, then convert to USD in-app. Compare the broker's FX spread; it is often the largest hidden cost of a small trade.
Place your first order
Search the ticker (e.g. AAPL), choose market or limit, and check the session (regular, pre-market, after-hours). A limit order is safer outside regular hours, when spreads widen.
US Stocks Trading Hours in Hong Kong Time
US regular trading runs 9:30am–4:00pm US Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. Because the US observes daylight saving time, the Hong Kong equivalent shifts by one hour twice a year.
| Period | US Eastern Time | Hong Kong Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-market | 4:00am – 9:30am | 4:00pm – 9:30pm (summer) / 5:00pm – 10:30pm (winter) |
| Regular session | 9:30am – 4:00pm | 9:30pm – 4:00am (summer) / 10:30pm – 5:00am (winter) |
| After-hours | 4:00pm – 8:00pm | 4:00am – 8:00am (summer) / 5:00am – 9:00am (winter) |
US daylight saving time ran from 8 March to 1 November 2026, and starts again on 14 March 2027, so Hong Kong investors are on the later 10:30pm–5:00am schedule over the winter months. The US market is closed on weekends and on US public holidays such as Thanksgiving and Independence Day, and closes early (1:00pm ET) on a handful of half-days. A growing number of Hong Kong platforms also offer overnight or 24×5 US trading, letting you place orders during Hong Kong office hours.
US Stocks Fees and Taxes Explained
| Fee | Rate (Sep 2026) | Charged by | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEC Section 31 transaction fee | US$20.60 per US$1,000,000 of proceeds (0.00206%), min US$0.01 | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | Sell orders only |
| FINRA Trading Activity Fee (TAF) | US$0.000195 per share, min US$0.01, max US$9.79 per trade | FINRA | Sell orders only |
| Settlement / clearing fee | About US$0.003 per share (min US$0.01) | Settlement agent (NSCC/DTC pass-through) | Buy and sell |
| Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) fee | US$0.000003 per share (NMS stocks) | FINRA | Buy and sell |
| Dividend withholding tax | 30%, deducted automatically | IRS | US dividends |
| Capital gains tax | Generally none for non-US investors | — | Share price gains |
Hong Kong has no dividend tax treaty with the US, so the full 30% withholding applies even after you file a W-8BEN. Broker charges, commission, platform fee, FX spread, custody or dividend-collection fees, sit on top of the pass-through fees above.
Buying US Stocks via Banks vs Brokers
| Bank | Brokers | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Rate | Bank Higher | Brokers Lower or even free |
| Fund Your Account | Bank Easier. Transfer funds instantly and directly from the same bank account with a few clicks. | Brokers More difficult. Transfer funds from bank accounts or through Faster Payment System (FPS) for same day transfers. |
| Custody Fee | Bank Yes | Brokers No |
| Withdrawal Fee | Bank No | Brokers Yes |
| Account Protection | Bank Local accounts (not offshore accounts) are protected under the HKSAR Government's Deposit Protection Scheme for a maximum coverage of HK$500,000 | Brokers |
S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 or Dow: Which US Index Should You Track?
| Index | What it tracks | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 500 large-cap US companies across all sectors — the standard benchmark for "the US market" | Core, diversified exposure |
| Nasdaq 100 | 100 largest non-financial Nasdaq companies, heavily weighted to tech | Higher-growth, higher-volatility exposure |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | 30 blue-chip US companies, price-weighted | A quick read on blue-chip sentiment |
Most Hong Kong investors get index exposure through ETFs rather than buying 500 stocks, and because ETFs trade like ordinary shares, the same commissions and trading hours apply.
Offshore US Stocks Accounts
Offshore US Brokerage Accounts
| Offshore US Brokerage Account | Account Protection | How to Fund Your Account? |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore US Brokerage AccountFirst Trade | Account ProtectionYes. Account is protected by SPIC. | How to Fund Your Account? Wire transfer |
Buying US Stocks Monthly
Benefits of Hong Kong People Investing in the US Stocks Market
Wide Range of World-Renowned Stocks
Lower Investment Threshold
Disadvantages of Investing in the US Stocks Market while living in Hong Kong
Buying US Stocks in Hong Kong FAQ
Do I have to pay US stocks tax if I am not a US citizen and are buying in HK?
- Mostly no. Non-US citizens and residents with no US trade or business are generally not required to file a US tax return, and non-US investors are generally not subject to US capital gains tax on share price gains. Dividends are the exception: US dividend income is withheld at 30%, and the tax is deducted automatically before the cash reaches your account. Hong Kong has no dividend tax treaty with the US, so the full 30% applies even after you sign a W-8BEN form.
Is it safe to invest through a US Stocks broker in Hong Kong?
- Trading through an SFC-licensed broker is generally safe. US assets held via a SIPC-member firm are protected up to US$500,000 per customer (including a US$250,000 cash sub-limit) if the brokerage fails - this does not protect you against losses from falling share prices.
Can I create a US stock trading account in Hong Kong as an expat?
Yes. As long as you can provide the required documents, you are eligible to open a US stock trading account as a non-permanent resident. For example, to open an account with Futu Securities or Webull Securities you will typically need:
- A copy of your HKID or passport
- Proof of your residential address
- Proof of a bank account in your own name with a licensed bank in Hong Kong
- A completed W-8BEN form to certify your non-US tax status (built into the app onboarding flow)
Applications are submitted in-app and are usually approved within one to two working days.
When does the US Stock market open in Hong Kong time?
- The US market's regular session runs 9:30am to 4:00pm US Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. In Hong Kong that is 9:30pm to 4:00am during US daylight saving time (roughly March to early November) and 10:30pm to 5:00am during US winter time. Pre-market and after-hours sessions extend either side of this, and some Hong Kong platforms now offer overnight or 24×5 US trading so you can place orders during Hong Kong office hours.
How much tax do I pay on US stock dividends?
- Normally 30% of the gross dividend, withheld automatically by the IRS before the payment reaches your account. Some brokers also charge their own dividend-collection fee on top, so check that line in your broker's fee schedule.
How can I buy US stocks commission-free in Hong Kong?
Webull Securities offers US$0 commission and US$0 platform fee on US stocks and ETFs as its standard pricing, with no promotional period or qualifying conditions. Futu Securities runs commission-free welcome offers for new accounts, after which its standard rate is US$0.0049 per share (minimum US$0.99 per order) plus a platform fee.\
Watch the platform fee as closely as the commission, a "zero commission" broker that charges US$0.005 per share in platform fees is not free. US regulatory fees such as the SEC transaction fee and FINRA Trading Activity Fee are passed on by every broker regardless of the commission plan.
Which platform is best for buying US stocks in Hong Kong?
structure for small, frequent trades thanks to its US$0 commission and US$0 platform fee. Futu Securities is the stronger choice if you want a full research toolkit: stock screeners, options chains, paper trading, price alerts and a real-time news and community feed. Compare both on the fees you will actually incur, not the headline rate.
Can I buy US stocks with a small amount like US$100?
- Yes, through fractional shares, which let you buy less than one full share of expensive stocks. Both Futu and Webull support fractional US stock trading - Futu charges 0.99% of trade value (capped at US$0.99 per order) on sub-one-share orders. This is what makes monthly investing in US stocks realistic on a small budget.
Do I need a US bank account or a US Social Security Number to buy US stocks?
- No. A Hong Kong bank account and a signed W-8BEN form are enough. You fund your account in HKD via FPS or bank transfer, then convert to USD in the app - compare the broker's FX spread, as it is often the largest hidden cost on a small trade.
What's the best US stocks app for Hong Kong investors?
- Look past the interface at three things: whether real-time quotes are free (Webull provides free Level 2 US market data; Futu offers Level 1 streaming quotes), whether the app has the research tools you need, and whether it supports extended or overnight trading so you are not forced to trade after midnight Hong Kong time.
How do I decide which US stocks to buy?
Most beginners start with a broad index ETF tracking the S&P 500 or Nasdaq 100 for instant diversification, then add individual stocks they understand. Use your broker's screener to filter by sector, market cap and valuation, check the company's earnings history and upcoming results date, and size each position so a single stock cannot derail your portfolio. Past performance is never a guarantee of future returns.
Why Choose MoneySmart?
MoneySmart is a trusted one-stop financial and insurance product comparison platform designed to save you time and money.
- Established Brand History: Founded in Singapore in 2009, the MoneySmart Group has evolved into a leading personal finance brand.
- Exclusive Offers from Official Partners: We partner with major banks in Hong Kong (such as Standard Chartered, HSBC, and Citibank), renowned insurance companies (such as Allianz, AXA, Starr, BlueCross and more), and top licensed brokerages to bring you exclusive offers.
- AI-Driven Personalized Recommendations: Through data analysis and smart matching, all users receive financial solutions tailored to their specific goals, rather than one-size-fits-all options.
- Clear Reward Tracking and Redemption Process: Our platform features a standardized reward redemption procedure backed by live customer service support, ensuring eligible users reliably receive their promised rewards.