When trading stocks, many people only focus on the return rate and miss the truly important factor: stock trading commissions. Commissions have a significant impact on the final profit more than you might think.

The commissions you pay each time you buy or sell stocks are mainly divided into securities firm fees, exchange fees, and Korea Securities Depository fees. Domestic stocks are relatively inexpensive, but for overseas stocks, currency exchange fees are added, so checking is essential.

As of 2025, comparing major securities firms' domestic stock trading commissions shows quite a difference. Mirae Asset Securities charges about 0.136%, Korea Investment & Securities and Samsung Securities around 0.147%, but Kiwoom Securities offers a much lower rate of 0.015% on the HeroMUN4 platform. Shinhan Investment Corp. charges about 0.139%, but an additional fixed fee of 2,000 won applies for trades under 30 million won. Overseas stocks are mostly around 0.25%, which is similar, but currency exchange fees should also be considered.

An interesting point is the commission waiver events offered by each securities firm for new customers. Mirae Asset offers a 90-day waiver, and Shinhan Investment Corp. waives US stock trading fees for a year. Taking advantage of these benefits at the right time can significantly reduce initial trading costs.

Calculate how much commissions affect your investment returns. Suppose you trade 1 million won ten times, each time earning 10%. With a 0.1% fee, the final profit is about 2.57 million won; with 0.2%, it’s about 2.54 million won. Just a 30k won difference, but as this accumulates and trading volume increases, the impact becomes huge. Especially for people who trade frequently with small amounts, fixed fees can cause losses.

Here are some tips to reduce stock trading commissions. First, choose a securities firm that matches your trading platform and volume. For small, short-term trades, a firm without fixed fees is better; for larger amounts, pick one with a lower commission rate. Second, actively utilize commission waiver events. If you are a new or dormant customer, adjust your trading timing to maximize the waiver period. Third, reduce trading frequency and increase the amount per trade. Buying in one go rather than multiple smaller purchases saves on commissions.

When trading overseas stocks, pay special attention to currency exchange fees. Securities firms often have worse exchange rates than banks or specialized currency exchange companies, so it’s better to exchange money when rates are favorable or check the firm’s preferential exchange rate benefits carefully.

Ultimately, comparing stock trading commissions is not just about cost savings but a crucial factor that influences long-term investment returns. Before starting trading, choose a securities firm that fits your trading pattern and check what current commission benefits are available—you can gain significant advantages.