How to choose a securities broker in Taiwan in 2025? Top 10 rankings and a complete analysis of commission fees

Taiwanese stock market investment enthusiasm continues to rise, with more and more investors entering the market to buy stocks, bonds, futures, and options. However, retail investors cannot participate directly and must open accounts through securities firms. Faced with numerous brokerage options, how should beginners choose? This article summarizes the rankings of Taiwanese securities firms, fee details, and selection criteria to help you choose a broker without confusion.

Taiwan Domestic Securities Firm Rankings: Market Share Reflects Strength

According to the 2024 annual trading volume statistics, the rankings of Taiwanese securities firms reflect their actual market share. The top ten domestic brokers listed below are well-established companies with decades of experience, offering trading in Taiwan stocks, US stocks, Hong Kong stocks, Japanese stocks, futures, and options.

2024 Taiwan Securities Firm Market Share Rankings

Source: Taiwan Stock Exchange 2024 Statistics

Higher market share indicates greater trust from investors, reflecting system stability, customer service quality, and trading experience. But choosing a broker isn’t just about size; fees and service quality are the real factors affecting your profitability.

Taiwan Stock Trading Fee Structure: Where Are the Hidden Costs?

When buying stocks in Taiwan, you encounter two costs: commission fee and transaction tax.

Commission fee is officially set at 0.1425%, applicable to both buy and sell transactions, with a minimum of NT$20. However, due to low online order costs and fierce competition among brokers, almost everyone can negotiate discounts. The discount rate depends on your trading volume and capital.

Transaction tax is 0.3%, charged only when selling, paid to the government, and cannot be discounted.

Comparison of Electronic Order Commission Fee Discounts Across Brokers

Data based on official broker websites; actual discounts can be negotiated with agents.

Note that daily and monthly rebates differ significantly. If you trade frequently, brokers offering daily rebates can help you get discounts faster without waiting until the end of the month.

Actual commission fee calculation: Using TSMC as an example

Suppose you buy 5 lots of TSMC (stock price NT$430), and sell 5 lots (stock price NT$450):

Total cost for one trade: NT$10,512

From this example, buying only incurs commission fees, but selling involves a transaction tax that often exceeds the commission. Choosing a broker with better fee discounts can save hundreds or thousands of NT dollars per trade.

Three Key Factors in Choosing a Securities Firm

With over a dozen major brokers, investors often don’t know how to compare. The core evaluation criteria are actually just three:

1. Commission Discount Level

For the same trade, a small difference in discount can mean thousands of NT dollars saved. Some brokers advertise ultra-low discounts but have system crashes or slow order execution, which can incur hidden costs. So, fees are important but not the only indicator.

Questions to ask when choosing:

• Is the broker offering daily or monthly rebates?
• Are there special offers for new clients?
• How much trading volume is needed to get lower discounts?

2. Ease of Use of Trading Software

All brokers provide free trading apps and web platforms. Beginners need real-time quotes, technical analysis, and account balances; experienced traders need quick order execution and multi-position monitoring. A user-friendly trading tool can directly improve trading efficiency.

Before opening an account, try downloading and testing several apps, comparing:

• Search speed
• Quote update delay
• Completeness of technical analysis tools
• Interface intuitiveness

3. Securities and Margin Costs

Securities supply refers to how many stocks the broker has available for lending. Sufficient securities supply allows smooth short-selling and more trading opportunities.

Margin financing is an option when funds are insufficient. The margin ratio for Taiwan stocks is 60% for listed stocks and 50% for OTC stocks. Margin interest rates at large brokers are generally around 6-7%, with bigger firms offering more favorable rates.

If you frequently use margin financing and short selling, choosing a large broker is more cost-effective.

Why Domestic Brokers Are the First Choice for Taiwan Stock Investment

For investors mainly trading Taiwan stocks, choosing a local securities firm has clear advantages:

Best Market Liquidity—Local brokers are the main trading hubs for Taiwan stocks, offering fast execution, tight spreads, especially for popular stocks.

Most Competitive Fees—Due to intense competition, Taiwan stock transaction fees are continuously decreasing, with average discounts below 60%, and new clients can negotiate even 20-30%.

Localized Service—Use New Taiwan Dollars for deposits and withdrawals, 24-hour Chinese customer service, and branch offices across Taiwan, enabling immediate assistance if issues arise.

Better Risk Management—Local brokers are regulated by Taiwanese financial authorities, ensuring greater capital security.

New Investor Account Opening Process and Tips

Once you choose a broker, opening an account is usually quick:

Prepare Documents: ID card, second ID (driver’s license or passport), bank account

In-branch or Online: Most brokers support online account opening; follow instructions to fill in details and sign contracts

Approval: Usually within 1-3 working days

Deposit and Trade: After approval, you can start trading during market hours

Key Reminders:

• Clarify fee discount conditions beforehand
• Confirm the software supports your devices (phone, PC, tablet)
• If planning to use margin, check interest rates and limits
• Save login credentials and emergency contact info

Beyond Taiwan Stocks: Cost Considerations for Overseas Investments

Many investors also want to buy US or Hong Kong stocks, but using local brokers’ “re-entrustment” services incurs higher fees. In such cases, investors might consider directly using overseas broker platforms. However, overseas platforms involve currency exchange and cross-border fund transfers, which may not be cheaper in practice.

Calculate carefully:

• How much is your investment amount?
• How often do you trade?
• Do you need frequent withdrawals?

Only after detailed calculations can you determine which method is truly more cost-effective.

Summary

The core logic for choosing a Taiwanese securities firm is simple: compare commission discounts, software usability, securities supply, and margin costs. There’s no perfect broker—only the one that best fits your current investment style.

For Taiwan stock investors, local brokers already have clear advantages. If you plan to venture into overseas markets, evaluate re-entrustment fees carefully. Ultimately, don’t spend too much time overthinking—start by opening an account and trading, then adjust based on actual experience. Investing itself is the key to making money; choosing a broker is just the first step.