Choosing an online stock broker can be challenging, with factors like the assets available, ease of use, safety, research, education and fees to consider.
This article presents our take on the two best international stock brokers for investors in the Philippines. Let’s get to it.
Best stock brokers in the Philippines
Interactive Brokers | Best all-around app
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global online broker that blends beginner and advanced tools across its web and mobile platforms. Founded in 1978, it offers an incredible range of products, from stocks to futures and currencies, access to more than 160 markets and several trading apps.
Saxo | Best for research
Saxo is a Danish online broker with significant international reach and a sophisticated trading platform. Founded in 1992, it offers a similarly large range of products, award-winning platforms and excellent research, although with higher fees.
Both are international brokers, which means you get access to global markets, but neither accepts deposits in Philippine pesos. Local brokers, such as COL Financial or First Metro Securities, are the natural choice if you mainly want to invest on the Philippine Stock Exchange in pesos.
#1 Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers at a glance
For our pick of the best international broker for investors in the Philippines, look no further than Interactive Brokers. Its track record spans more than 45 years and several financial crises, which provides a real sense of security.
Here’s what’s great about IBKR: an extraordinary range of products, low trading fees, low margin rates, excellent research tools, apps for both advanced and beginner investors and several base currency options. However, deposits in Philippine pesos are not accepted, so you’ll fund your account in US dollars or another supported currency.
IBKR has two mobile apps: IBKR Mobile, designed for advanced users, and IBKR GlobalTrader, for everyday investing. GlobalTrader is well designed, available in several languages and very easy to use. For US stocks, commissions start at $0.0035 per share on tiered pricing (minimum $0.35 per order) or $0.005 per share on fixed pricing (minimum $1). For European ETFs, the cost is 0.05% of the order value (minimum €1.25, maximum €29).
IBKR is regulated by many authorities around the world, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and the Central Bank of Ireland. In other words, it isn’t just one of the best options for investors in the Philippines, it’s also one of the safest.
If you have the time, we recommend our comprehensive Interactive Brokers review.
IBKR is ideal for wide-ranging market access and a very broad product offer, with leading web and mobile platforms.
Pros
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Leading number of products
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Great web and mobile platforms
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Low fees and very low currency conversion costs
- Access to more than 160 markets
Cons
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Learning curve on the main platform
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Customer service can be slow
- No deposits in Philippine pesos
#2 Saxo
Saxo at a glance
62% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
For our runner-up, we chose Saxo. With a track record of more than 30 years, also through the crises of recent decades, Saxo offers the premium feel and design you’d expect from a top broker.
Here’s what’s great about Saxo: a solid product range, an excellent trading platform, leading research, low forex and fund fees and a very good mobile app. As with IBKR, deposits in Philippine pesos are not accepted.
Here’s what to consider: Saxo isn’t a discount broker. Stock commissions depend on your account tier, options start at $0.75 per contract on the top tier, and a custody fee of up to 0.15% a year applies to stocks, ETFs and bonds. In exchange, you get a tech-heavy platform and in-depth research.
Saxo has three platforms: SaxoInvestor, SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO. Each one adds tools and sophistication to the previous one, with SaxoTraderGO being an award-winning choice.
In 2025, Saxo was majority-acquired by the Swiss private bank J. Safra Sarasin, which reinforces its long-term stability. It remains regulated by many authorities, including the Danish FSA, the UK’s FCA and Switzerland’s FINMA.
Saxo is ideal for in-depth research and a wide range of instruments, alongside excellent apps. Overall, we can confidently call it the second-best international option for investors in the Philippines.
Pros
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Solid product range
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Excellent web and mobile platforms
- Leading in-depth research
Cons
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Higher trading fees than discount brokers
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Custody fee on stocks, ETFs and bonds
- No deposits in Philippine pesos
How to choose the best stock broker in the Philippines
Choosing the best broker requires careful analysis and due diligence, which is exactly why we built this website.
Our process reviews these essential points from the perspective of a resident of the Philippines:
- Range of products available, including international reach;
- Ease of use, on both the web platform and the mobile apps;
- Trading and account fees, including the costs hidden in spreads and currency conversion;
- Track record and history of the broker;
- Quality and quantity of the research available;
- Quality of the regulators overseeing the broker;
- Which currencies you can fund the account in, since converting pesos adds a cost.
One more point worth knowing: international brokers don’t withhold Philippine taxes for you. If you invest abroad, you’re responsible for reporting your gains and dividends to the BIR, and US dividends are subject to US withholding tax.
Bottom line
To sum it up, these are our top picks:
Choosing a broker is a challenging task, but every platform is different, just as your goals and needs are. We sift through the platforms available to residents of the Philippines so your search can be easier.
Whether you’re a new or an experienced investor, we hope this article answered your questions. One final tip: consider opening a demo account, which is often available, and test the features of your prospective broker first.
Disclaimer: When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
FAQs
Who are the best stock brokers in the Philippines?
Choosing a broker is a personal decision: it depends on matching your goals to the strengths of each platform. For international investing, our picks are Interactive Brokers and Saxo. If you mainly want to invest on the Philippine Stock Exchange in pesos, a local broker such as COL Financial or First Metro Securities will suit you better.
Do these brokers accept the Philippine peso (PHP)?
No. Neither Interactive Brokers nor Saxo accepts deposits in Philippine pesos, so you fund your account in US dollars or another supported currency, and your bank or payment provider charges a conversion fee. Local brokers do accept pesos.
Where should a beginner invest?
A beginner should focus on educational material, research, simplicity and low account fees. Starting with a broad ETF, rather than picking individual stocks, is also a common approach for new investors.
Do I pay tax on foreign investments from the Philippines?
Yes. As a Philippine resident, you are generally taxed on your worldwide income, so gains and dividends from foreign investments have to be reported to the BIR. US dividends are also subject to US withholding tax at source. Consider speaking to a local tax adviser.
Which broker should I use if I'm experienced?
Both Interactive Brokers and Saxo offer advanced platforms with a wide range of tools. An experienced investor should choose the one that provides the specific tools they need, keeping in mind that these usually don’t come from a discount broker.
