Recently, friends have been asking me how to choose an investment app, and I realized that Taiwanese stock apps are really full of pitfalls. Some have commissions that are unbelievably low but very basic features, others have a super complete set of features but beginners can’t make sense of them, and some people worry whether it’s safe to keep their money in an app.

I’ve tried a bunch myself, and I’d say they fall into a few categories. If you want to trade US stocks, Mitrade is the most intuitive to use—one account lets you access global markets, with 0 commission, and you can open an account with a minimum of 50 US dollars. I especially like its demo trading feature, so you can practice first. eToro is also good; its copy trading feature is pretty interesting, but it’s a bit annoying because inactive accounts get charged. Firstrade is a very clean option, with zero commission, but the remittance fee is relatively high.

For Taiwan stocks, Fuguo’s interface is really beautiful, and it feels great for younger users, and its research features are done well too. KGI feels like a traditional brokerage—so many features it’s almost overwhelming—but beginners might be intimidated. Mr. Investment covers the widest range of products; it has everything, including Taiwan stocks, US stocks, funds, and futures, but the interface design is a bit old-fashioned.

Honestly, the most important thing is still security—you should confirm whether it has been certified by the Financial Supervisory Commission or recognized by overseas regulatory bodies. Also, commissions really will directly eat into your returns. For Taiwan stock brokerages, it’s about 1.425 per thousand; online platforms often have discounts. CFD platforms like Mitrade have zero commission, but they charge the bid-ask spread (point spread).

My suggestion is to start by picking 2-3 apps you’re interested in and trying them first. Most of them allow you to register and experience them for free—then decide whether you really want to deposit money based on how smooth the interface feels. There’s no need to rush to decide; just play around with a demo account first to get the hang of the process. Only then can you choose an app that truly fits you.