Recently researching how to buy U.S. stocks, I found that choosing a good trading app is really important. I used to only look at the Taiwan stock market, but then I realized there are actually plenty of opportunities in U.S. stocks. But the problem is, with so many platforms out there, how do you choose the right one?

I personally care about a few points: trading fees, platform usability, customer service responsiveness, and security. Many apps now claim zero commissions, but you still need to watch out for hidden fees and spreads. Interface design is also crucial, especially whether you can place orders quickly during market volatility. Some platforms also offer demo trading features, so beginners can practice before trading with real money, which makes me feel more at ease.

There are a few common apps for buying U.S. stocks on the market. Mitrade is a contract for difference (CFD) broker, established in 2011, with zero commissions, a simple interface, beginner-friendly, and offers various assets like U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks, forex, and indices, with risk management tools such as take profit, stop loss, and trailing stop. But CFDs are inherently riskier, and some advanced features are more limited.

Interactive Brokers, founded in 1977, offers a wide range of products—stocks, options, futures, forex—all available. Fees are based on the number of shares, with lower costs for larger trading volumes. However, its interface can be a bit complex for beginners, making it more suitable for experienced investors.

Charles Schwab, established in 1971, manages $3.72 trillion in assets. After acquiring TD Ameritrade in 2019, all stock, ETF, and options trades became commission-free. It has abundant resources and caters to various types of investors, but currently operates two different platforms, which can be somewhat inconvenient to use.

Firstrade, founded by Chinese immigrant Liu Jinhang in New York over thirty years ago, is one of the earliest platforms to implement zero commissions. Its interface is simple and easy to use, especially suitable for those who want to hold U.S. stocks long-term. Account opening is quick and straightforward, but features are relatively basic, and some users have reported slower customer service responses.

Webull, founded in 2017 by former Alibaba and Xiaomi employees, is relatively new but has quickly gained market share thanks to its zero-commission policy. It allows trading of U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies, and includes social features for users to share strategies. As of 2022, it has over 35 million users worldwide. However, it doesn’t yet support bonds or futures.

FUTU, established in 2012, is a Hong Kong-based online broker that went public on NASDAQ in 2019. It offers U.S. stocks, Hong Kong stocks, funds, futures, and forex. U.S. stock commissions are charged per share at $0.0049 per share, with a minimum of $0.99. The interface is user-friendly, and it provides rich educational resources, but this fee structure may not be cost-effective for small investors.

I also compiled some common questions beginners ask. First, you don’t need a lot of money to start; many platforms have no minimum account balance. If you want diversified investments but have limited funds, consider index CFD trading, investing in indices like Dow Jones, Nasdaq, or DAX to spread risk. Opening a demo account is usually very easy—just fill in some info, and some platforms even give you $50k in virtual funds to practice.

When evaluating trading costs, note that although most online brokers offer commission-free stock trading, day trading can incur additional costs, such as routing fees, market data fees, and platform fees. Finally, make sure the broker you choose is regulated. Those operating in the U.S. must be regulated by the SEC, and if they are members of FINRA and SIPC, you can usually see related disclosures in the footer of their homepage.

When choosing a platform, it’s important to consider your own capital, what assets you want to buy, trading frequency, and technical needs. Every platform has its pros and cons; there’s no absolute best, only the one that’s most suitable for you.