Taiwan Stock and ETF Account Opening Recommendations: Broker Commission Fee Comparison Guide

2026-01-04 11:25:23

Investing in Taiwan stocks and ETFs, many people habitually look at commission fees first but overlook a more important aspect—the choice of brokerage platform which determines your investment experience. A good broker should offer transparent cost structures, convenient trading tools, and comprehensive customer support to truly support your long-term investment journey.

Three Key Factors in Choosing a Brokerage for Account Opening

1. Transparent Fee Structure

Commission fees are a significant part of investment costs. Different brokers offer various discount mechanisms—some use fixed discounts, others tier their fees based on trading volume. The higher the trading volume, the greater the discount, which is especially advantageous for frequent traders.

Additionally, discounts for fractional share trading and regular fixed investments are worth noting. Beginners should pay attention to “hidden costs,” including taxes, platform usage fees, and other unseen expenses that can eat into returns.

2. User-Friendliness of Trading Platforms

The smoothness of order placement software directly impacts trading experience. A clean, intuitive interface allows quick familiarization and operation, helping avoid missing investment opportunities due to complex procedures.

Analysis tools such as technical charts and financial reports are also crucial. Mobile apps should feature push notifications, one-click trading, and other conveniences to help investors stay updated on market dynamics.

3. Diverse Customer Support

24-hour online customer service, physical branches, and demo trading features can reduce learning curves and operational risks for beginners.

Top 10 Taiwanese Securities Firms by Trading Volume and Fee Comparison

According to data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange, here are the top ten Taiwanese brokers (excluding foreign firms) with their lowest commission fees and order app comparisons:

Rank	Broker	Minimum Commission	Minimum Discount	Main App
1	Yuanta Securities	NT$20 (fractional share NT$1)	60%	Investment Mr.
2	KGI Securities	NT$5 (fractional share NT$1)	60%	Mobile eStrategy, Mobile Dealer
3	Fubon Securities	NT$20 (fractional share NT$1)	40-60%; new customers 18%	Fubon ePoint
4	E.SUN Securities	NT$1 minimum	20% (within NT$1 million/month)	Large Account Trading, iLeader
5	Cathay Securities	NT$1 for Taiwan stocks, US$0.1 for US stocks	28%	Tree Spirit APP
6	Yuanta Securities	NT$20	65%	Mobile Expert, Smart Stock Picking APP
7	Capital Securities	NT$20 (fractional share NT$1)	65%	Capital Mobile Winner
8	Uni-President Securities	NT$1 minimum	60%	Uni-eOrder
9	Hua Nan Securities	NT$1 minimum	65%	Hua Nan Good God eCounter
10	Mega Securities	NT$20	50%	Mega Mobile VIP

Frequent and high-volume traders can negotiate more favorable discounts with their account managers.

ETF Account Opening Recommendations: Fixed Investment Discount Plans

Many investors choose to invest in Taiwan stocks and ETFs via fixed regular investments to lower entry costs and market risks. The following brokers offer competitive fixed investment discounts (details subject to the latest official announcements):

Broker	Fixed Investment Fee Discount	Trading Products	New Account Opening Bonus
Yuanta Securities	NT$1 per transaction; 200 NT$ voucher after 3 deductions	Taiwan stocks, ETFs	NT$700 voucher after 3 deductions
E.SUN Securities	10% of amount below NT$20,000, minimum NT$1	Taiwan stocks, ETFs	NT$100 7-11 shopping voucher + NT$500 group gift card upon completing specified trades
KGI Securities	NT$1 per transaction	Taiwan stocks, ETFs	NT$300 shopping voucher upon successful order; up to NT$900 in fee rebates over 9 months with 3+ deductions per month
CITIC Securities	NT$1 for amounts below NT$20,000	Taiwan stocks, ETFs	NT$300-400 shopping vouchers
Cathay Securities	NT$1 per transaction regardless of amount	Taiwan stocks, ETFs	NT$500 first deduction bonus + NT$500 annual continuation bonus
Shin Kong Securities	NT$1 for amounts below NT$20,000	Taiwan stocks, ETFs	NT$500 first deduction bonus + NT$500 annual continuation bonus
E.SUN Securities	NT$1 for amounts below NT$10,000; 10% for amounts above	Taiwan stocks, ETFs	Enter friend invitation code for NT$100 7-11 e-gift card

Three Ways for Taiwanese Investors to Access US Stocks

Taiwanese investors can access the US stock market through three methods, each with pros and cons:

Method 1: Contracted Delegated Trading (DPP)

Invest through domestic brokers acting as agents for US stocks, with assistance from Taiwanese brokers during the process. Main advantages include safe fund management and no need for international remittance; disadvantages are higher fees (due to double charges), lower trading efficiency, and limited product range.

Preparation for DPP account opening: Double ID documents, seal, bank passbook copies (TWD and foreign currency)

Main process: Open foreign currency settlement account → Choose a delegated broker → Place orders

Broker	Fee Rate	Minimum Fee
Yuanta	0.5%~1%	US$35
KGI	0.5%	US$39.9
Cathay	0.35%	US$29
E.SUN	0.5%~1%	US$35
Fubon	0.25%	US$25
Capital	0.2%	US$3
Yuanta	0.5%	US$35
Mega	0.4%	US$1

Method 2: Overseas Securities Account

Open an account directly with a US broker, eliminating intermediaries. This offers the lowest fees, sometimes as low as zero. Benefits include low trading costs, diverse investment options (stocks, ETFs, options, etc.), and high trading efficiency; drawbacks are the need for international remittance (about NT$600~1000 fee) and higher initial learning curve.

Preparation for overseas account: Passport or ID, online application form, proof of identity, address verification

Broker	Minimum Fee	Account Opening Deposit	Withdrawal Fee	Tradable Products
TD Ameritrade	US$0	US$0	US$25	US stocks, ETFs, options, futures
Charles Schwab	US$0	US$25,000	US$25	US stocks, ETFs, options, futures
Firstrade	US$0	US$0	US$25	US stocks, ETFs, options
IB (Interactive Brokers)	US$0.005/share	US$0	US$10	Global stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex

Method 3: Contract for Difference (CFD)

CFD is a financial derivative allowing investors to speculate on asset price movements without owning the underlying asset. Advantages include low entry barrier (minimum US$50 to open), zero commission, and ability to short sell; disadvantages are high leverage risk and requiring professional knowledge.

CFD account opening preparation: ID documents, proof of address, knowledge test

Platform	Minimum Deposit	Commission	Spread	Trading Products	Max Leverage
Platform A	US$100	None	From 0.12	US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, indices	200x
Platform B	US$200	None	From 0.3	US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, indices	200x
OANDA	US$100	Minimum 0.1%	From 1	US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, indices	888x

Common FAQs on Stock and ETF Account Opening

Q1: How much capital is needed to open an account?

Local Taiwanese brokers usually have no explicit minimum capital requirement. Beginners can start with NT$5,000~10,000. Fractional share trading requires only the price of one share. The threshold for US stocks is relatively low; some brokers have no minimum, others require only US$100. Different products (like futures) have varying capital requirements.

Q2: Is online account opening safe?

Regulated brokers use encryption technology to protect personal data and transactions, and are under strict legal supervision, ensuring user rights.

Q3: What fees should I be aware of when opening an account?

Mainly including trading commissions, stamp duty, bank transfer fees, and account management fees. Before opening, inquire in detail about how these fees are calculated.

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