How to Choose Taiwanese Brokerage Firms in 2026? Latest Rankings and Complete Analysis of Commission Fees

In recent years, the number of investors in Taiwan has continued to rise. Whether it’s stocks, bonds, or options and futures, these have become popular asset allocation tools for many retail investors. But to start trading, you must first choose the right Taiwanese broker to open an account. The market is filled with numerous brokers, each with their own advantages. This article provides an in-depth analysis of Taiwan’s broker rankings, service features, and fee differences, helping you quickly find the trading partner that best suits your needs.

Taiwan Broker Market Map: Top Ten Rankings and Trading Share

According to the latest market data, Taiwan’s mainstream local brokers have a long operational history, most covering both Taiwan and US markets. These brokers each have their strengths—some are known for low commissions, others for comprehensive service systems. Below is a list of the top ten domestic brokers based on trading volume in 2025:

Market Share Ranking of Taiwan Domestic Brokers

Note that these Taiwanese brokers offer overseas stock trading via “OMNIBUS” accounts, but the fee structure for omnibus accounts is often higher than opening accounts directly with overseas brokers. The advantage of choosing a Taiwanese broker lies in localized service and regulatory protection. However, if your main focus is overseas markets, we will introduce more cost-effective alternatives later.

Trading Cost Comparison: Practical Analysis of Taiwanese Broker Fees and Discounts

In Taiwan, buying stocks involves two types of costs: commission fees and transaction taxes. The official commission rate is 0.1425%, charged on both buy and sell sides, with a minimum of NT$20. Transaction tax is only paid when selling, at a rate of 0.3%, and cannot be discounted.

However, to capture market share, most Taiwanese brokers now offer discounts for electronic orders. Large brokers, due to high trading volume, typically offer 60-100% discounts; some mid-sized brokers adopt more aggressive strategies, even offering new clients discounts as low as 25%. Be aware that extremely low commissions may sometimes come with hidden costs, such as system stability or customer service quality.

Comparison of Electronic Order Fees Among Taiwanese Brokers

For example, with TSMC, buying 5 shares at NT$430 and selling at NT$450, using a 60% discount, the purchase fee is about NT$1,838, the sale NT$1,924, plus NT$6,750 in transaction tax, totaling approximately NT$10,512. This illustrates how seemingly small differences in commission discounts can accumulate into significant costs over time.

Note that commission discounts are not always fixed; investors with large trading volume or ample capital can often negotiate better terms with brokers. Some brokers also offer exclusive discounts for regular investment plans or specific products.

Five Key Indicators for Choosing a Taiwanese Broker

With so many options, novice investors may feel overwhelmed. Here are the key aspects to evaluate when selecting the most suitable Taiwanese broker:

Indicator 1: Discounted Fees and Fee Structure

The differences in commission discounts are substantial. Some brokers refund the discount immediately the next day; others settle monthly. However, lowering commissions may sometimes come at the expense of service quality, such as system stability, order execution speed, or customer support responsiveness. It’s recommended to try out the trading software first, assess stability, and then decide, rather than solely chasing the lowest fees.

Indicator 2: Trading Platform and Software Experience

Each Taiwanese broker offers free trading tools. Yuanta’s “InvestoMate” app is known for its comprehensive features, while KGI’s “Mobile eStrategy” is praised for its user-friendly interface. Essential functions include real-time quotes, technical analysis tools, and account management. Download and try each app to compare which one feels most intuitive and feature-rich—this greatly impacts your trading experience.

Indicator 3: Liquidity and Margin Costs

Larger brokers generally have more abundant securities sources, offering more options for margin trading or short selling. Margin ratios are limited (60% for listed stocks, 50% for OTC stocks), but interest rates vary—typically between 6-7%. If you frequently use margin, choosing a large, low-interest broker can effectively reduce holding costs.

Indicator 4: Customer Service and Branch Network

Taiwanese brokers are spread across the country, providing convenient in-person services. Besides physical branches, 24-hour customer support is also important. Some large brokers offer real-time support, which is crucial when encountering issues during trading.

Indicator 5: Special Features and Promotions

Many brokers offer exclusive promotions for specific products (like ETFs or odd-lots) or periodic investment plans. Some also provide demo accounts for beginners. These added features can significantly enhance your overall trading experience.

Beyond Traditional: Comparative Analysis of Overseas Broker Platforms

If your main investment targets are US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, or other overseas markets, using omnibus accounts via Taiwanese brokers may be more costly. Opening accounts directly with overseas brokers is often more economical. Here are three popular international platforms widely used in Taiwan:

Mitrade — The Choice for Small Investments and Leverage Trading

Mitrade specializes in global CFDs, regulated by ASIC in Australia, supporting US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, indices, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The platform emphasizes localization, supporting NTD deposits and withdrawals, with 24/7 Taiwanese customer support, eliminating time zone issues.

Leverage ranges from 1x to 200x, suitable for traders seeking amplified gains. The minimum deposit is very low—only US$50 (~NT$1,500). It also offers free demo accounts for risk-free practice, with a few free withdrawals per month, after which small fees apply.

Ideal for: Investors with limited capital wanting to grow assets, leverage traders, hedgers.

Interactive Brokers — Best for Large Capital Traders

Founded in 1977, IB has served global investors for decades, with easy account opening in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and more. It covers US, UK, German, Japanese, Korean stocks, bonds, funds, ETFs, futures, and forex.

IB has no minimum deposit requirement, with per-share fees of US$0.005 (up to 1%). Suitable for high-volume traders. Margin accounts require maintaining over US$2,000. Chinese customer support ensures smooth communication.

Ideal for: Investors with substantial funds, seeking the lowest trading costs, and diversified assets.

Firstrade — Easy for US Stock and ETF Regular Investment

Firstrade is a US-based online broker regulated by FINRA and SIPC-protected, offering discounted trading. Supports US stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options, with zero commissions, making it popular among Taiwanese ETF regular investors.

Its interface is simple and intuitive, suitable for beginners. No commission on stocks, ETFs, or options reduces costs. However, withdrawal fees are high (US$25 per transaction), so frequent withdrawals are discouraged.

Ideal for: Long-term US stock and ETF investors, cost-conscious small investors.

Quick Comparison of the Three Platforms

Beginner’s Guide: From Account Opening to Trading

Once you’ve chosen a platform, the account opening process is usually straightforward. For example, with Mitrade, you simply fill out basic info online, set a password and currency preference, then immediately access a demo account for practice. After completing KYC verification, you can deposit funds and start real trading.

Deposit methods include Skrill, Poli, credit cards, or international wire transfers—choose the most convenient. Log into the trading platform, search for stock names or codes, and place orders quickly.

The entire process from registration to withdrawal is clearly guided, making it easy even for beginners. If unfamiliar with features, customer support in Chinese is available to assist.

Summary and Recommendations

Choosing the right Taiwanese or overseas platform depends on your investment goals. For Taiwan stocks, local brokers offer comprehensive services, transparent regulation, and increasingly competitive fees. For overseas markets like US or Hong Kong stocks, opening accounts directly with international brokers often reduces costs and simplifies procedures.

When evaluating Taiwanese brokers, consider fee discounts, platform quality, liquidity, margin costs, and customer service—rather than just chasing the lowest fees. Each broker has its strengths; finding the one that best fits your trading habits and capital size is the optimal strategy. Wishing you success in finding your ideal trading partner and smooth investing journey!