Head to head
Futubull vs Tiger Brokers — which broker is better?
Futubull or Tiger Brokers? Fees, regulation, platform and product range compared side by side — with a verdict drawn from the data.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly. Investments can fall in value. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
Futubull
Futu's Hong Kong home platform: Hong Kong shares without commission (but with an HKD 15 platform fee), rich market data and one account for many markets — for Hong Kong residents.
- Stocks (per order)
- HK$15
- Minimum deposit
- HK$10,000
- 5,000 order
- €1.80
Risk warning: CFDs and other leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Tiger Brokers
A Nasdaq-listed multi-market app broker licensed in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, with a long product list and a regulatory record in mainland China that belongs in the decision.
- Stocks (per order)
- 0.06 %
- Minimum deposit
- None
- 5,000 order
- €3
Risk warning: CFDs and other leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Advertising disclosure: where a partnership is active, we may earn a commission through broker links. The provider’s terms apply. Commissions do not influence our ratings; paid placements are separately labelled as sponsored.
The verdict in numbers
Four decision axes, each derived from the recorded data.
Overall both land on 4.1 out of 5. Futubull is the cheaper of the two: a reference EUR 5,000 stock order costs €1.80 there against €3.00. Tiger Brokers scores 78 against 74 out of 100 on the group index. Your account's protection depends on its legal entity. Futubull covers more ground with 11 of 14 asset classes against 10. On platform and app Futubull is ahead, 4.5 against 4.4 out of 5. Which one is right depends on which of these axes matters for your trading profile.
- Futubull
- 4.1
- Tiger Brokers
- 4.1
- Futubull
- €1.80 — Better
- Tiger Brokers
- €3.00
- Futubull
- 74 of 100
- Tiger Brokers
- 78 of 100
- Futubull
- 11/14 — Better
- Tiger Brokers
- 10/14
- Futubull
- 4.5 — Better
- Tiger Brokers
- 4.4
Compare brokers side by side
Up to four brokers at once — every row a decision point.
Data as of: 02 Nov 2026
| Criterion | Futubull 4.1 Risk warning: CFDs and other leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | Visit broker Risk warning: CFDs and other leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Group index | 74 of 100 | 78 of 100 |
| Best for | Hong Kong residents trading HK and US sharesActive traders using Level 2 dataOne account for many marketsHong Kong IPO subscribers | Singapore investors using CDP, CPF or SRSMulti-market stock and options traders in Asia-PacificHong Kong residents who want stocks and crypto in one appFutures traders on CME, HKEX and SGX |
| Regulation | SFC | MASSFCASIC |
| Top-tier licences | 1 | 3 — Better |
| Investor protection | HK$500,000 | US$500,000 — Better |
| Listed group | Yes | Yes |
| Banking licence | No | No |
| Segregated client accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Negative balance protection | No | No |
| Audited financials | Yes | Yes |
| Disclosed regulatory actions | 1 | 2 |
| Founded | 2012 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong, HK | Singapore, SG |
| Fees | 3.8 | 4.0 — Better |
| Safety & regulation | 4.0 — Better | 3.9 |
| Trading platform | 4.5 — Better | 4.3 |
| Product range | 4.4 — Better | 4.3 |
| Mobile app | 4.5 — Better | 4.4 |
| Research | 4.4 — Better | 4.0 |
| Customer support | 4.0 — Better | 3.6 |
| Deposit & withdrawal | 4.3 — Better | 4.0 |
| Account opening | 3.9 | 4.3 — Better |
| Education | 4.0 — Better | 3.6 |
| Reference order EUR 5,000 | €1.80 — Better | €3.00 |
| Minimum deposit | HK$10,000 | None — Better |
| Stocks (per order) | HK$15 — Better | 0.06 % |
| US stocks | US$0.0099/share | US$0.01/share |
| ETFs | HK$15 — Better | 0.06 % |
| Options | US$0.95 | US$0.65 — Better |
| Futures | HK$13 — Better | US$2.99 |
| Crypto | 0.16 % | 0.05 % — Better |
| Bonds (order) | 0.04 % — Better | 0.12 % |
| Funds (order) | Free | Free |
| EUR/USD spread | n/a | n/a |
| Index CFD spread | n/a | n/a |
| FX conversion | n/a | n/a |
| Inactivity fee | HK$10 · after 24 months | n/a |
| Custody fee | n/a | None |
| Withdrawal fee | free | free |
| Deposit fee | free | free |
| Overnight financing | n/a | n/a |
| Other fees |
|
|
| Asset classes (of 14) | 11 — Better | 10 |
| Exchanges | n/a | n/a |
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | No | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Warrants | Yes | Yes |
| Spread betting | No | No |
| Social trading | No | No |
| Crypto access | Broker, real coins; coins to your own wallet: only for certain coins | Broker, real coins; coins to your own wallet: only for certain coins |
| Platforms | Futubull mobile appFutubull desktop (Mac and Windows)Futu OpenAPI | Tiger Trade appTiger Trade desktopTiger Open Platform (API) |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum leverage | Margin accounts for Hong Kong, US, China A-share, Japanese, Singapore and Korean shares with unified buying power across stock markets; Futu's margin page… | 1:4 |
| Account opening | Online in the Futubull app: identity and address documents, an audio risk disclosure by a licensed representative and an e-signature, then a transfer of at least HKD 10,000 or USD 1,500 from your own Hong Kong bank account; Futu reviews applications within 1–2 working days. Alternatively in person at the Admiralty head office, by a witnessed appointment in Hong Kong or by cheque | Fully online in the Tiger Trade app or on the website; Singpass in Singapore (accounts opened within 1–3 business days); in Hong Kong the initial deposit must come from a Hong Kong licensed bank account for verification |
| Account types | Universal account (cash)Universal account (margin)Crypto accountCorporate account | Cash account (Singapore)Margin account (Singapore)Cash Boost Account (Singapore)Demo accountVirtual asset account (Hong Kong) |
| Payment methods | Bank transferCheque | Bank transferWise |
| Account currencies | HKDUSDJPY | SGDUSDHKDAUDEUR |
| Deposit time | eDDA and Bank-Securities Transfer usually within 5 minutes and FPS within 2 hours on Hong Kong trading days; interbank online transfers 1–3 trading days; transfers from banks outside Hong Kong an estimated 3–5 trading days | Singapore: SGD by DDA from DBS/POSB in about 5 minutes; SGD by FAST from 15 minutes during business hours; other currencies 1–2 business days; from banks outside Singapore 1–3 business days |
| Withdrawal time | Bank-Securities Transfer within 5 minutes on trading days; other Hong Kong banks the same day if requested before 11:00; Futu remits to banks outside Hong Kong within 1–2 business days | Singapore: review of 1–2 business days, then 1–3 business days by FAST, MEPS, FPS or telegraphic transfer |
| Free withdrawals | n/a | n/a |
| Languages | ChineseEnglish | EnglishChinese |
| Channels | PhoneLive chatBranch | PhoneEmailLive chatWhatsApp |
| Availability | Hotline and live chat 24 hours on trading days, 09:30–21:30 on weekends and public holidays (Hong Kong time) | Singapore: phone weekdays 08:30–18:30 SGT, online chat and WhatsApp weekdays 08:30 to 05:00 the next day. Hong Kong: phone weekdays 09:30–18:30 HKT, online chat weekdays 09:30 to 05:00 the next day |
Strengths and weaknesses side by side
Editorial assessment based on the recorded data.
Futubull
Futu's Hong Kong home platform: Hong Kong shares without commission (but with an HKD 15 platform fee), rich market data and one account for many markets — for Hong Kong residents.
Pros
- SFC-licensed for seven regulated activities (CE AZT137, types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9) under a Nasdaq-listed parent, Futu Holdings (FUTU)
- No commission on Hong Kong shares under Futu's commission-free offer; on the default fixed plan each order costs an HKD 15 platform fee
- One universal account for Hong Kong, US, China Connect and Japanese shares, plus Singapore and Korean stocks, options, futures and leveraged FX; funds, bonds and spot crypto (in a separate crypto account) in the same app
- Free Level 1 quotes for Hong Kong shares and free Level 2 quotes for US shares, analyst ratings, an institutional tracker and a screener with 100+ indicators
- Fast, free HKD funding: eDDA and Bank-Securities Transfer usually credit within 5 minutes, FPS within 2 hours
- Hotline and live chat 24 hours on trading days, plus 13 physical service locations in Hong Kong
- Paper trading, fractional shares and regular savings plans from USD 10 (US) or HKD 1,000 (Hong Kong)
Cons
- Aimed at Hong Kong residents: online opening needs a Hong Kong bank account and at least HKD 10,000 (or USD 1,500); residents elsewhere are referred to customer service
- US shares are not commission-free: USD 0.0049 per share commission plus USD 0.005 per share platform fee, with USD 0.99 and USD 1.00 minimums and a USD 0.003 settlement fee per share
- Expensive exits: HKD 500 per Hong Kong stock and USD 150 per US stock to transfer out, and HKD 500 to close an account within 180 days
- A dormant-account fee of HKD 10 a month after two years without activity, and a 0.2% collection fee on Hong Kong cash dividends (minimum HKD 30 where the dividend net of the registration fee exceeds HKD 60)
- Investor compensation is capped at HKD 500,000 per person for securities, and Futu's SIPC statement for US shares does not name the SIPC member that holds them
- In 2022 China's CSRC issued an announcement on Futu's cross-border operations in mainland China; citing the CSRC's rectification requirements, Futu removed the Futubull app from mainland app stores in 2023
Best for
Tiger Brokers
A Nasdaq-listed multi-market app broker licensed in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, with a long product list and a regulatory record in mainland China that belongs in the decision.
Pros
- At Tiger Brokers Singapore, one Tiger Trade account reaches US, Hong Kong, Singapore, China A-share (Stock Connect) and Australian stocks, plus US and HK options, futures, US Treasuries and over 1,500 funds
- Low SGX pricing at Tiger Brokers Singapore: 0.03% commission plus a 0.03% platform fee (minimums SGD 0.99 and SGD 1), and the SGD 2 quarterly SGX custody fee is waived until further notice
- Licensed group companies in Singapore (MAS), Hong Kong (SFC, CE BMU940) and Australia (ASIC, AFSL 300767) under a Nasdaq-listed parent (TIGR)
- Singapore-specific features: the Cash Boost Account with CDP, CPF and SRS linkage, Singpass onboarding and no minimum deposit
- Free US Level 2 data (NYSE ArcaBook) and a free demo account with USD 1 million in virtual funds
- Auto-invest from USD 2 in US stocks and ETFs, HKD 500 in HK stocks and SGD 100 in SGX stocks, daily to monthly (SGX plans on the 1st and 15th of each month)
- Hong Kong clients can trade BTC, ETH, SOL, AVAX and LINK as retail investors under the SFC licence, with on-chain deposits and withdrawals for BTC and ETH (USDT for professional investors only)
Cons
- China's CSRC Beijing Bureau imposed penalties and confiscations of about RMB 411 million (about USD 59.7 million) on group subsidiaries on 22 May 2026, after an earlier CSRC finding of unlicensed cross-border business reported in January 2023
- US shares are not commission-free in Singapore: USD 0.005 per share commission plus USD 0.005 per share platform fee (minimums USD 0.99 and USD 1 per order) plus a USD 0.003 per share settlement fee
- The New Zealand company is registered as a client money and property service provider but states that it is not licensed by a New Zealand regulator
- Prices, products and protection differ by entity, and some advertised prices (the HK commissions for targeted participants, the US option coupon plan) are time-limited promotions or need activation
- Moving holdings out of Tiger Brokers (HK) costs USD 150 per US stock and HKD 500 per Hong Kong stock, and neither the Singapore nor the Hong Kong pages we read state what currency conversion costs
Best for
Open an account with either
A demo account costs nothing and answers the platform question in ten minutes.
Risk warning: CFDs and other leveraged products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Advertising disclosure: where a partnership is active, we may earn a commission through broker links. The provider’s terms apply. Commissions do not influence our ratings; paid placements are separately labelled as sponsored.
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