Webull Philippines: Expansion roadmap and alternatives

You have probably heard about the Webull app on YouTube and want to know if it’s available in the Philippines, right?

Webull is a modern, easy-to-use investment app from the US, known for commission-free trading of US stocks, ETFs and options. Its parent company, Webull Corporation, has been listed on the Nasdaq (ticker: BULL) since 11 April 2025.

Want to know if Webull is available in the Philippines, whether it plans to return, and which alternatives you can use instead? We’ve got you covered!

No, Webull is not available in the Philippines. Currently, Webull operates in the following markets:

• United States
• Hong Kong
• Canada
• Singapore
• Japan
• The UK
• Australia
• Brazil
• South Africa
• European Economic Area (it launched in the Netherlands in 2025 and in Germany and Spain in 2026)
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Mexico (after it acquired the local app Flink)
• Argentina and Colombia (launched in 2026)

In total, Webull says it is licensed in 35 markets and offers trading in 18 of them, and none of its local entities is in the Philippines.

Filipino investors used to have access to Webull’s US app. However, in 2021, Apex, the clearing firm Webull used at the time, stopped supporting accounts from the Philippines. This happened while the Philippines was on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list” of countries with weaknesses in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing rules.

The Philippines was removed from the FATF grey list on 21 February 2025. Even so, Webull has not announced any plan to return, and Filipino residents still cannot open an account.

Can you use Webull in the Philippines with a VPN?

No, you cannot use a VPN to open a Webull account from the Philippines. During registration, Webull asks for specific documents to verify your identity and your country of residence, so a VPN does not change anything. Using a broker that does not serve your country can also leave you without investor protection.

To help you find a Webull alternative in the Philippines, we focused on a low-cost broker with access to US stocks and ETFs. Here is our suggestion:

Other Webull alternatives in the Philippines

Want to explore other alternatives?

If you mainly want to invest in Philippine stocks, or prefer a broker supervised in the Philippines, a local broker licensed by the Philippine SEC may be simpler. Check that it is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Fund (SIPF), which compensates investors if a member broker goes bankrupt, up to the fund’s limits.

You can also use our BrokerMatch tool to get matched with a broker based on your country and preferences, and explore our broker comparison, broker reviews, bonuses and best brokers for earning interest.

There is no single best Webull alternative for every investor. The right broker depends on where you live, your experience, the products you want to trade and more. Explore the options mentioned here and decide for yourself.

And if you need any help, feel free to reach out to us.

Webull alternatives reviewed

Founded in 1978 and listed on the Nasdaq (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers is a global online broker that has come through several major financial crises, showing resilience and rigorous risk management.

Interactive Brokers offers an advanced investment platform with a wide range of products (stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, bonds and currencies) from more than 175 market destinations, solid trade execution (IB SmartRouting) and a full set of technical and fundamental tools.

Beginners and intermediate investors have educational tools to explore, but the learning curve is steep. That’s why we mainly recommend it to more experienced investors. Customer service gives clear answers, so there is little need to go back and forth.

On the downside, Interactive Brokers’ fee structure is complex, account opening takes longer than at simpler apps (although it is fully online), and it does not offer commission-free trading outside the US. However, once you factor in its low FX fees, narrow spreads and stock lending programme, clients can still save significantly compared with most brokers.

Interactive Brokers also offers IBKR GlobalTrader, a mobile app to trade stocks, options and ETFs, ideal for beginner investors. Its features include automatic currency conversion, fractional shares and a demo account.

As explained above, keep in mind that the Philippine SEC has flagged Interactive Brokers as not registered or licensed in the Philippines, so Philippine investor protection doesn’t apply and access from the country may be restricted.

Want to know more about Interactive Brokers? Read our Interactive Brokers review.

Webull is an investment app based in the United States that offers commission-free trading of US stocks, ETFs and options (regulatory and other fees may apply).

Thanks to its modern app, advanced charting tools and low costs, Webull has become known worldwide, alongside its biggest rival, Robinhood. It has also grown through generous referral and welcome offers.

Webull now offers trading in 18 markets through local subsidiaries, each licensed by the local regulator, which is why the products and pricing differ from country to country.

Which platform should you choose?

When choosing an online broker, look at the fees, whether it is regulated by top-tier authorities, which investor protection applies to your account and the range of products it offers (not every platform lets you trade cryptocurrencies or stocks listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange, for instance).

The best online broker for you depends on your profile, preferences and goals. Explore the options above and decide for yourself.